Paul Ryan: Immigration legislation unlikely in '14
Source: AP-Excite
By PHILIP ELLIOTT
WASHINGTON (AP) - Days after House Republicans unveiled a roadmap for an overhaul of the nation's broken immigration system, one of its backers said legislation is unlikely to pass during this election year.
Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said distrust of President Barack Obama runs so deep in the Republican caucus that he's skeptical the GOP-led House would pass any immigration measure. He said a plan that puts security first could only pass if lawmakers believe the administration would enforce it - an unlikely prospect given Republicans' deep opposition to Obama.
"This isn't a trust-but-verify, this is a verify-then-trust approach," Ryan said.
Last week, House Republicans announced their broad concerns for any immigration overhaul but emphasized they would tackle the challenge bill-by-bill. Immigration legislation is a dicey political question for the GOP. The party's conservative base opposes any measure that would create a pathway to citizenship for immigrants living here illegally, but many in the party worry that failing to act could drive many voters to Democratic candidates. In 2012, Obama won re-election with the backing of 71 percent of Hispanic voters and 73 percent of Asian voters. The issue is important to both blocs.
FULL story at link.
Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140202/DABN8JIG1.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
