The Senate voted 36-58 on Tuesday, rejecting an amendment to the immigration reform bill that would have prevented provisional legal status for immigrants until an entry and exit data system is working.

Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) introduced the amendment dealing with the 40 percent of illegal immigrants that came to the country legally, but overstayed their visa. His amendment would have prevented the government from granting provisional legal status until the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has submits written certification to the president and Congress that the integrated biometric entry and exit data system is fully implemented and functioning at every land, sea and air port of entry.

Republican Gang of Eight Sens. Graham, McCain, Rubio and Flake voted against the border fence amendment.

The House on Tuesday afternoon held a procedural vote that will allow members to consider a controversial abortion bill later Tuesday.

Members voted 232-193 in favor of a rule governing consideration of H.R. 1797, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Two Republicans voted against the rule, and five Democrats voted for it.

The House on Tuesday afternoon approved legislation meant to ensure an ample supply of the latest flu vaccine is available by the next flu season.

By voice vote, members approved H.R. 475, which would include a flu vaccine that attacks a new strain of flu on a list of taxable vaccines.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) announced Tuesday that he would introduce a resolution expressing concern over the imprisonment of a former Ukraine prime minister.

Durbin said it was wrong for the Ukrainian government to hold its former prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, in prison for political reasons, adding that’s not how a real political Democracy behaves.

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said he’s sure Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is bluffing about ending the filibuster.

Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) on Monday night tried to have his name removed as a sponsor of legislation banning abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy, but was told by the House that it's too late.

Broun was an original co-sponsor of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act when it was introduced in May by Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.). As it left the Judiciary Committee, the bill would impose a nationwide ban on abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy, and it did not have an exception for rape or incest.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) warned that if Democrats change the Senate rules ending the minority party’s right to filibuster, they’d regret it when Republicans become the majority party.

McConnell laid out what would be at the top of the Republican agenda, — repealing ObamaCare, drilling in ANWR, approving the Keystone XL Pipeline and ending the estate tax — that they could pass on a simple-majority vote if the filibuster rules were reformed.

“There’s not a doubt in my mind that if the majority breaks the rules of the Senate to change the rules of the Senate, the next majority will do it again,” McConnell said on the floor Tuesday morning. “So it’s appropriate to talk about what our agenda would be.”

Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) on Tuesday accused supporters of a bill banning abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy of caring more about unborn fetuses than infants and children, given Republican efforts to cut federal social programs.

"For some reason, you care about a baby right until the minute it is born into the world, and then you disappear and desert the children you claim to protect and love," Wilson said on the House floor. "Shame on you. Stop the cradle to grave neglect and abuse."