Because you know what clearly belongs in a defense authorizations bill? An amendment that lays the ground work for amnesty for illegal aliens. Once again the Democratic Party reveals its warped priorities.

Washington (CNN) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday he will add the DREAM Act, a controversial immigration measure, to a defense policy bill the Senate will take up next week.

The decision means the defense bill, which often passes with bipartisan support, will be home to two major, thorny political issues – the other being the repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

Reid is bogging down much-needed financial assistance to our military by politicizing the legislation with controversial amendment he knows full-well will lead to divisions within both parties (think Blanche Lincoln and Brad Ellsworth on the left). What a guy.

Reid called the DREAM Act “really important” and said it should be passed because it provides a path to citizenship for young illegal immigrants who go to college or serve in the military. DREAM is an acronym for Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act.

“I know we can’t do comprehensive immigration reform,” Reid said at a news conference. “But those Republicans we had in the last Congress have left us.”

Democrats like Ben Nelson, Byron Dorgan, and Jim Webb voted with Republicans to kill amnesty in 2007. And that was in a significantly more pro-Democratic year. What are the odds they commit political suicide for Ol’ Harry, himself on the way out, this year?

Anyway, I don’t even plan on arguing on the merits of the amnesty legislation until it’s actually brought up for passage. Bottom line is, regardless of where you stand on the bill, it doesn’t belong on defense appropriations legislation. Unless your goal is to delay the funding of the military, of course.