House GOP Lawmakers Declare Immigration Reform Dead in 2013
On Friday, November 8 House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), the third-ranking House Republican leader, told amnesty advocates the House will not vote on immigration legislation this year but would address immigration next year. McCarthy reportedly said there aren’t enough session days left to take up legislation.
On Thursday, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, who was part of the House's bipartisan Gang of Eight, told the Washington Post that "we're not going to be able to do it this year." And speaking at a high school in his district, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) told his constituents that the House needs to address the farm bill, Obamacare, and budgetary issues before dealing with immigration.
These recent statements contrast statements made by Senate Gang of Eight member, Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), last weekend. Sen. Flake said that House lawmakers were close to a "breakthrough" and "there is time and space on the calendar between now and the end of the year."
Two weeks ago, another GOP Gang of Eight Member, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), said that the House would take up immigration after the 2014 primaries. Primaries start in March and run through September. But Rep. Diaz-Balart said the only window of opportunity will be before primaries start up.
"I'm hopeful that we can get to it early next year," Rep. Diaz-Balart told the Washington Post. "But I am keenly aware that next year, you start running into the election cycle. If we cannot get it done by early next year, then it's clearly dead. It flatlines."
For more information, see The Hill, the Washington Post and the Freemont Tribune.
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