The U.S. Senate gave final approval Thursday to a roughly 1,200-page bill that promises to overhaul immigration laws for the first time since 1986, creating a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented residents while ratcheting up security along the Mexican border. Senators passed the sweeping legislation -- initially drafted by the four Democrats and four Republicans in the chamber's so-called "Gang of Eight" -- by a 68-32 vote. Fourteen Republicans joined a united Democratic caucus in supporting the bill, which is backed by the White House and has the potential to become the crowning legislative achievement of President Barack Obama's second term.
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President Obama says "we just need Congress to finish the job"
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The 68-32 Senate vote sends the measure to the House for consideration
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Speaker Boehner says the House will stick to its own version of immigration reform
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The Senate bill offers a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants
House @placeholder have indicated their intention to tackle the issue with several smaller proposals instead of one larger bill.