Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s proposal to end debate and push the massive immigration bill through Congress was decisively defeated on Thursday night, prompting many opponents of the legislation to celebrate victory.

But the white house insists that the bill is alive and well. Debate will continue, as opponents and proponents wrangle back and forth on issues such as a comprehensive guest-worker program, increased border security, and a plan to effectively grant amnesty to over 12 million illegal immigrants already residing in the country.

“What happened is just a break, and people want more debate,” said Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez on CNN this morning. “They want a little bit more time. We probably need a couple of days more, I understand, from the senators.”

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