If Democratic leaders like Robert Byrd and David Price speak for many of their colleagues, it may not matter much if a 'pro-amnesty' candidate wins the presidency this year:

Nodding to public ferment over illegal immigration in a tough GOP election year, the administration announced Thursday — before the official Feb. 4 release of the federal budget request — that it would seek $12.1 billion for those efforts, up from about $10.2 billion enacted (PL 110-161) in fiscal 2008.

“In past years, Congress has consistently increased funding for border security and immigration law enforcement above the president’s request to meet ongoing security needs,” said David E. Price , D-N.C., chairman of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee...

Robert C. Byrd , D-W.Va., chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations panel, said the request was “long overdue,” adding, “We cannot continue to attempt to secure our homeland on the cheap.”

Votes on these proposals are likely to generate conflict among Democrats in the months ahead. Latinos and Democratic liberals have clashed with moderate Democrats they see as pandering to anti-immigration sentiment. When the House and Senate consider appropriations bills this year, there are sure to be votes on the increases proposed by the president. In an election year such as this one, these votes could prove problematic for Democrats, and perhaps for Republicans as well.