House GOP Leadership: House will approach immigration differently
A statement issued by House Speaker John Boehner's Press Office hints that the GOP leadership would take a different approach on immigration than the Senate Gang of Eight's plan.
Along with Speaker Boehner (R-Ohio), the statement included Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Republican Conference Chairman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).
According to the statement, the House will draft its own legislation, rather than take up and accept the Senate bill if it passes. The statement suggests that the House bill will focus on strengthening border security and enforcement mechanisms, which the Senate bill lacks.
Below is the released statement:
Our nation’s immigration system is broken – hurting families, our national security, and the economy, which is why reform is included in our plan for economic growth and job creation. While we applaud the progress made by our Senate colleagues, there are numerous ways in which the House will approach the issue differently. The House remains committed to fixing our broken immigration system, but we will not simply take up and accept the bill that is emerging in the Senate if it passes. Rather, through regular order, the House will work its will and produce its own legislation. Enacting policy as consequential and complex as immigration reform demands that both chambers of Congress engage in a robust debate and amendment process. Our nation’s immigration processes, border security, and enforcement mechanisms remain dysfunctional. The House goal is enactment of legislation that actually solves these problems and restores faith in our immigration system, and we are committed to continuing the work we’ve begun toward that goal in the weeks and months ahead.