The Senate this week may vote on the Dream Act, the bill that would grant illegal alien students legal status and a path to citizenship if they go to college for two years or serve two years in the U.S. military.

Sen. Richard J. Durbin tried to attach the proposal to the defense bill last month but was forced to drop that idea after Republicans made it clear they would vote against it to keep it from interfering with important military matters.

At the time, many of those Republicans said the bill was one they would consider voting for in other circumstances because it applies to those whose parents brought them here and who had, in the words of one Republican, no "moral culpability" for having been here illegally.

Of course, many of the bill's supporters said Republicans were using the military bill explanation as an excuse to duck a difficult vote. Durbin is now ready to see if they were bluffing.

— Stephen Dinan, national political reporter, The Washington Times