Lobbyists launch push on immigration in House

Reuters ^ | Mon Jul 8, 2013 8:23pm EDT | Caren Bohan and Rachelle Younglai

[haffast]

(Reuters) - Supporters of a U.S. immigration reform bill are launching a push for the legislation this week that includes phone calls to lawmakers from Catholic bishops, visits to Capitol Hill from high-tech lobbyists and an ad blitz sponsored by organized labor.

The lobbying frenzy is aimed at overcoming resistance among many Republicans in the House of Representatives to the biggest overhaul of U.S. immigration laws in nearly 30 years.

Immigration reform, President Barack Obama's top domestic priority, passed the Democratic-led Senate with bipartisan support but its prospects in the Republican-led House are bleak.

While House votes could still be a long way off, this week could prove critical, with House Republicans set to hold a closed-door meeting on immigration reform on Wednesday.

Many rank-and-file Republicans view a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants - at the heart of the Senate bill - as "amnesty" for lawbreakers. But businesses, religious groups and other supporters say they are undaunted.

"I don't think they've seen our best effort yet," said Kevin Appleby, director of migration and refugee policy for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Supporters of immigration reform say religious groups could prove influential with Republicans because of their close ties with lawmakers from the party.

Still, Appleby acknowledged that the signals out of the House were not positive. Because of that, he said, the Catholic bishops were prepared to "use every tool available" to persuade lawmakers to take up immigration reform.

That includes making sure that lawmakers hear from their bishops, either by letter or phone. The conference will also enlist the help of parishioners, Appleby said.

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[haffast]

Labor and progressive groups are targeting seven House Republican leaders, including Speaker John Boehner and Illinois Representative Peter Roskam, as well as a handful of Republicans in states with larger populations of moderate and Democratic voters, such as Michael Grimm and Peter King of New York.

Now we have a Catholic Speaker of the House who actually believes what the Church teaches
By William Oddie on Thursday, 4 November 2010
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/11/04/now-we-have-a-catholic-speaker-of-the-house-who-actually-believes-what-the-church-teaches/

Boehner answers to a higher power, and it ain't just big business.

[warchild9]

There’s only one power in Washington.

Its name is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

[headstamp 2]

This should kill the middle class for good.

[FlingWingFlyer]

“Immigration reform” - It’s all about the money! In your face America! The rich boys are going to get what THEY want. Not what’s best for this country.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Blue Slip S. 744 because it is unconstitutional under Article I, Section 7, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution.

That is all.

[skeeter]

The lobbying frenzy is aimed at overcoming resistance among many Republicans in the House of Representatives to the biggest overhaul of U.S. immigration laws in nearly 30 years.

"Overhaul" my butt. Its a surrender.

[Ray76]

[Irenic]

Lobbyist can’t give them votes. Republicans screw over their base and they are DONE!