House to take up Haiti orphan bill Wednesday

It remains unclear how party leaders intend to package the DREAM Act. Although Democratic leaders in both chambers, as well as the White House, have vowed to make it a priority of the lame duck, the radioactive nature of the immigration issue has made it a tough sell in a politically charged election year. The Senate shot down the bill once already this year. 

More than 1,000 orphans of January’s earthquake in Haiti were relocated to the United States in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. The Help Haiti Act, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.), would allow the adopting families to expedite the process of making them permanent legalized residents.