An attempt to amend the Omnibus budget bill to extend the E-Verify program by five years has failed after Senators voted 50 to 47 to table the measure indefinitely. This likely means three things –
1. E-Verify will be extended until September 30th.
2. Congress will presumably deal with a permanent authorization as part of a comprehensive bill this summer.
3. Pro-immigration groups will likely be able to use the need to extend e-Verify as a bargaining chip in negotiations on other measures needing approval of Congress.