Posted on 04/25/2013 7:27:47 AM PDT by cotton1706
The two lead negotiators in the Senate’s Gang of Eight said on Thursday that they believe their immigration reform bill will not just have a filibuster proof majority in the Senate — but majority support from both parties.
“I think it is doable,” Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said at a breakfast sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the bill cannot slip by with 60 votes because the House would feel less pressure to take it up. Others in the negotiating group have said they think the bill could win at least 70 Senate votes.
But the predictions of majority support from Republicans and Democrats is a more ambitious goal than any members have previously stated.
“We want a large Republican vote,” Schumer said at the breakfast.
He said the Gang of Eight had vote counting in mind while they were negotiating a deal between agricultural workers and growers on a visa program for the industry. Schumer said the group worked hard to win over growers in the Southeast, which is predominantly represented by Republicans and conservative Democrats.
The senators said they support amending the immigration overhaul bill to address shortcomings in the system that led to the Boston Marathon bombings.
It is too early know exactly what needs to be fixed, McCain said, but the potential solutions should be clear by the time the bill reaches the Senate floor in June.
“We are completely open to amendments that would in any way prevent what happened in Boston,” McCain said.
McCain said members of the Gang of Eight remain in contact with key House members. He said he spoke Wednesday with Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) to thank him for backing comprehensive immigration reform at an event Monday. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has addressed the Republican Study Committee, McCain said.
But McCain added that the more serious conversations won’t take place until after the Senate passes a specific package.
McCain praised President Barack Obama’s role in the process, with Schumer adding that it has been “just about perfect.”
McCain quickly jumped in: “I wouldn’t go that far,” drawing laughs.
We need a third party to replace the now second party—GOP.
Where’s the Senate GOP “leader” Mitch McConnell on this? Just curious if he’s made a stand, one way or the other....especially since he’s up for re-election.
“Where’s the Senate GOP “leader” Mitch McConnell on this?”
He’ll pretend to be against it but won’t work very hard to stop it. Then once he’s safely reelected, he’ll be all for it.
Why on earth would you concede any ground whatsoever to the left on any law?
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Because they are the weak AND stupid party. It’s how they roll (over).
They are not only out of step with modern politics, they are out of step with the 13th amendment and the 21st century.
So typical of Chucky Schumer to favor some form of indentured servitide though. And people laugh at louis Farakhan.
Do you ever wonder where we’d be today if Bush/McCain/Kennedy had been successful with the 2004/2007 amnesty?
We know enforcement would have never been beefed up, so I have to conclude we’d be right where we are, which is where we’ll be again in another few years.
But the MSM will love the RINOs for this....at least for a couple of moments.
Yeah, but whom do we replace them with? We're given the rotten choice of a very rotten "R" or "that mean and nasty 'D'." So, just like with Dole, McLame, and Romney, we have actually no choice but to pull the lever for the "R". And the "Rs" know it.
Here in Ohio, we've been stabbed in the back by Portman and Kasich . . . both Voinovich type RINOs. Do we vote for the "R" or the "D". I'm really fed up with the whole thing.
I don't know if the Tea Party will be able to rear its ugly head to help dethrone these turncoats, because if they get on the ballots somehow, the Lamestream media will openly campaign for the turncoat RINOs (like they did for Romney . . . even though we didn't want him) and SPLIT THE "RIGHTS'" votes.
I'm disgusted with the whole thing.
GOP wake up
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What would lead you to believe that this will ever happen? The history of the GOP is a legacy of weakness, caving and appeasement. There’s no hope for them.
If the these politicians bow down to the demands from growers for cheap labor in return for selling this country down the river then that is definition of a political whore. If this bill passes I vow never to vote again.
They probably had 80 votes for the Bush immigration bill before Switchboard Black Thursday...
Is this propaganda from Politico? Didn’t they also write a story saying it would sweep Democrats into power for a generation — why would GOP vote for it? Why would Politico write a story saying it would favor Dems unless there were Dems opposed to it?
We will be worse off regardless.
Yes, it is propaganda from politico. And it’s also intended to give the impression that this is a done deal, pushing those on the fence into Schumer and McCain’s camp.
However, looking at politico every day, I would have assumed that Schumer’s gun control bill would have gotten through easily, but it was a bitter defeat.
These senators need to hear from their constitutents.
When I say tossed out I mean by the democrat buddies. Upon gaining control the dims will immediately push to usurp their stupid little puppies that have a crush on them.
Triangulation is a bear and Obama has learned well from Slick Willie. Of course the GOP will cave, not only for the reasons you gave but also to pander to the Chamber of Commerce and Corporate America (World?). Got to have more cheap labor to further depress American wages so that the bottom line can be maintained and expanded. Privatize the profits, socialize the expense. What a wonderful country Amerika is becoming! (/s)
You have those that argue that term limits are in place now and exercised at the ballot box. Problem is majority of voters are stupid and the host of incumbents now will never enact term limits.
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