McConnell hints he wants no part of immigration push this year

NBC News ^ | 2/4/2014 | Kasie Hunt and Domenico Montanaro

[mdittmar]

Even though immigration reform already passed the Senate overwhelmingly, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), in a contentious fight for reelection, contended today that it’s unlikely to get through Congress because of an “irresolvable conflict” between the House and Senate.

"I think we have a sort of an irresolvable conflict here," McConnell told reporters at the Capitol when asked about House Republicans' released immigration principles at their retreat last week. "The Senate insists on comprehensive; the House says it won't go to conference with the Senate on comprehensive; it wants to look at step by step. I don't see how you get to an outcome this year with the two bodies in such a different place."

That insistence of a "conflict" is despite despite President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner appearing to be open to finding common ground on the issue this year, including taking a piecemeal approach and eschewing an explicit path to citizenship.

Of course, many conservatives are nervous about bringing up an issue that could upset their base supporters come this fall. Conservatives feel they have momentum heading into the midterm elections after the bungled health-care website rollout and the president's struggling approval ratings. 

McConnell is certainly one who does not want to see that momentum stanched. He is in a tough reelection fight, but more than that, if Republicans net the six seats necessary to take over the Senate, McConnell is in line to become majority leader.

[mdittmar]

2013 was o.k.,2015 is fine,just not this year.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Let the Oompah Loompah do the heavy lifting on this one.

[onyx]

"Amnesty is wrong in any circumstance, and if we are going to fix our broken immigration system--and we should--it makes much more sense to do so next year, so that we are negotiating a responsible solution with a Republican Senate majority rather than with Chuck Schumer.

Anyone pushing an amnesty bill right now should go ahead and put a 'Harry Reid for Majority Leader' bumper sticker on their car, because that will be the likely effect if Republicans refuse to listen to the American people and foolishly change the subject from Obamacare to amnesty.”

~SENATOR TED CRUZ
JANUARY 30, 2014

Free Republic is Your Voice and Your Forum!
We Really Need and Appreciate Your Loyal Support!
PLEASE Make Your Donation Today, Monthly, if You POSSIBLY can!





CONTACT SPEAKER Boehner "here" TODAY!
NO DAMN AMNESTY!
NO IMMIGRATION REFORM!



YOU ALL PLEASE GET ON THE PHONES!

202-224-3121 - CONGRESSIONAL SWITCHBOARD!

[Paladin2]

(Ditch) Mitch needs to be comprehensibly de-elected.

[fwdude]

Methinks he’s feeling the heat of a primary challenger.

[jimbo123]

Hey Mitch,

Why didn’t you FILIBUSTER the Senate Amnesty bill? You voted for CLOTURE! You weasel!

[Mr. K]

I bet he doesn't

He WANTS TO vote for it, he just does not want to vote for it this year, when he knows it will kill his re-election.

He is 100% focused on his re-election right now and nothing else, that's pretty obvious.

[Howie66]

I want no part of a Senate with Mitch McConnell in it.

DITCH MITCH!

[jimbo123]

McConnell to Vote for Cloture, Despite Reservations About Immigration Bill

https://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/mcconnell-vote-cloture-amid-reservations-about-immigration-bill_735068.html

[The Working Man]

I think McConnel has figured out that no matter what position he takes, he’s going to be castigated for it.

But here in Kentucky the ones he really wants to take a position on are the ones we DON’T like. And immigration/amnesty is one of them. With 60%+ people on welfare of one sort or another due to the economy, bringing in cheap labor is way up there on the “I’m NEVER going to forgive or forget list.”

[SeminoleCounty]

Defeat Mitch and defeat Amnesty

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

That will only last until he’s reelected.

[VRWC For Truth]

The turd-le won’t come out of his shell unless he wins re-election.

[jimbo123]

[swpa_mom]

Who’s the conservative running in the primary for McConnell’s seat? I haven’t seen much about him or her.

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

I believe it’s Matt Bevin.

[Cyber Liberty]

Hey Chinless: Shut up.

[arthurus]

I expect McC to sound more and more conservative right up til the primary, maybe up til the election. Then, if elected, he turns and gives the finger to the voters. I believe he is experienced in that sort of thing.

[writer33]

Yep, it is Matt Bevin here:

http://www.mattbevin.com/landing/3/

[swpa_mom]

Ok thanks, I haven’t seen anything. Good Luck to him.