Sen. Leahy Introduces Amendments to Include Gay Couples in Immigration Reform Bill

May turn off GOP

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy has submitted two amendments to the "Gang of Eight" senators' immigration bill that would extend to same-sex couples to similar immigration rights as opposite-sex married couples.

"For immigration reform to be truly comprehensive, it must include protections for all families," Leahy said in a statement. "We must end the discrimination that gay and lesbian families face in our immigration law."

Amendments on the bill are due to be submitted by 5 p.m. Tuesday. The Judiciary Committee is scheduled to begin considering the bill and amendments on Thursday morning.