As expected, Senate Democratic and Republican leaders reached an agreement late Thursday to complete work on a comprehensive immigration reform bill before the July Fourth recess. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced the deal in a joint statement released Thursday evening. “We met this evening with several of the Senators involved in the immigration bill negotiations. Based on that discussion, the immigration bill will return to the Senate floor after completion of the energy bill,” the two leaders said. Under the agreement, votes will be allowed on a total of roughly 20 amendments combined from the Republican and Democratic sides of the aisle. — John Stanton