(Washington, D.C.) - A vote on the DREAM Act is expected in the Senate Thursday after it earned approval in the House.

U.S. Rep. Baron Hill (D-Seymour)

The bill offers a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. Critics say it is a roundabout form of amnesty for illegal immigrants.

House members passed the proposal on a 216-198 vote. Eight Republicans in the lame duck House session voted in favor while 38 Democrats went against.

Local congressmen voting for the DREAM Act were Indiana 9th District congressman Baron Hill and Ohio 1^st District’s Steve Driehaus – both Democrats.

Voting “nay” were Indiana 6th District’s Mike Pence and Northern Kentucky’s Geoff Davis.