Great news out of Congress this week. The Senate Judiciary Committee gave the green light to a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill, while Speaker John Boehner “promised” that the House of Representatives will pass its own immigration reform bill. While the Speaker’s words were not the most positive, the fact that he stated that the House will pass a bill this summer was great news. The Washington Post quoted him as stating:
“We’re not going to be stampeded by the White House or stampeded by the president” […]. “The Senate is working its will, a lot of good work that’s gone on over there, but the House — the House will work its will.”
With the Memorial Day break upon us, Senators and Representatives will be back in their home states asking constituents for their opinions about a host of issues, including immigration reform. Most likely, the reports from these home visits will follow normal patterns, i.e. those who oppose immigration reform will report that their constituents hate reform, while supporters will report that their constituents urged them to pass reform.
In early June, we can look forward to:
- The full Senate will take up the immigration reform bill and exhaustively debate myriad issues, including the path to legalization, high- and low-skilled visas, E-Verify, border security, the DV lottery, and scores of others. There will be high drama as the Gang of Eight works to hold the bipartisan package together for a final vote, also expected in June.
- The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee will begin consideration of either several smaller immigration reform bills or a larger bipartisan initiative supported by a group of 4 Republicans and 4 Democrats. There is a great deal of posturing on immigration reform right now – expect the posturing to continue through June.
Immigration reform still has a long way to go.
Don Mooers
Mooers Immigration has long been engaged in Comprehensive Immigration Reform, responding to Congressional inquiries on policy and law issues. We are regularly asked to assist elected officials and their staff to understand both the benefits and consequences of various proposals for reform.
