(AP)- Senate Democrats on Wednesday blocked Republicans from bringing up a House-passed immigration bill offering permanent residence visas for foreigners with advanced degrees.

Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, sought unanimous consent to consider a bill that would provide 55,000 visas a year to some graduates with masters and doctorate degrees from American colleges. But Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, objected because it eliminated a visa program that benefits less-educated people, particularly from Africa.