Amid an atmosphere of partisan division and election year politicking, the Senate yesterday failed to overcome a filibuster on the Defense Authorization bill to which Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) sought to add the DREAM Act as an amendment. The vote for cloture – which if successful, would have brought the bill to the Senate floor for a vote – was defeated by a vote of 56-43 with the two Democratic senators from Arkansas, Senators Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln, voting against the motion (once it was clear that the 60 votes were not reached, Senator Reid also voted “no” on the motion in a procedural move that would allow him to call a revote).

Many advocates blame heated partisan politics and the fear of anti-incumbent anger in the run up to midterm elections for the GOP’s solid opposition to the defense bill (which also included an amendment repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”). With just over a month to go before Election Day, lawmakers are wary of casting controversial votes that could put their jobs, and in some cases entire political careers, in jeopardy.

Despite this loss, proponents of the DREAM Act, who have come to be called DREAMers, remain optimistic. As one DREAMer puts it, “When we fight for the DREAM Act, we are fighting for our lives. And when you're fighting for your life, you don't stop until you win.”

We must fight as well. Hundreds of thousands of New York youth need the DREAM Act to make their American dreams come true. So get ready to get busy.

Call your senators and tell them you support the DREAM Act, write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper on why the DREAM act is so important, contribute to an online discussion group on the DREAM Act and be part of the national conversation urging this bill, post links to news and information about the DREAM Act on your Facebook and Twitter pages. Let’s spend the next month making the DREAM Act an election year issue our lawmakers can’t ignore.