TPM, 02/14/2013 –
“The Senate and the White House have each had their turn. Now it’s up to the GOP-controlled House, the most volatile of the trio, to figure out an immigration plan.
“Who are they? What are they working on? Members of both parties are keeping a tight lid on not just the substance of negotiations, but the group’s roster. While its makeup may change depending on how far to the left or right its final deal is, a few names have popped up reliably in talks with aides and media reports. And their history on immigration could offer hints of what’s to come.
“First, the Republican side.
“Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)
“Cuban-American Diaz-Balart…has been one of the steadiest voices for comprehensive immigration reform since President Bush’s failed attempt in 2007. He was one of the only Republicans in the House to vote for the DREAM Act in 2010…
“…Rep. John Carter (R-TX)
“Carter, one of two Texan Republicans in the group, is a good representative of the kind of Republicans reformers will need to win over to pass a bill. He’s a solid conservative who’s emphasized border security over legalizing undocumented immigrants…But these days…he’s fine-tuning exactly what that word means…
“…Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX)
“…Johnson is now one of the members trying to dig reform back up again. Like Carter, Johnson’s rhetoric has hewed towards the hardline in the past.
“…Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID)
“Labrador may be the most important - and tenuous - member of the group. A former immigration attorney…Labrador has emphatically called for an immigration bill, but also recently denounced legislation that would include a path to citizenship.
“…And the Democrats:
“Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)
“Gutierrez is the most outspoken progressive voice in the mix and a longtime advocate for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants…He left the House Financial Services Committee…to join the Judiciary Committee…in anticipation of upcoming legislative battles.
“Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
“Like Labrador, Lofgren used to be an immigration attorney. As the top ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee’s immigration subcommittee, Lofgren will be front and center crafting a bill…
“…Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA)
“The chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Becerra recently declared that the bipartisan group was ‘on the cusp’ of reaching a deal.
“…[Becerra said] ‘[L]et’s be realistic and sensible about how we approach all those folks who made America their home, established businesses, have children who have gone on to be valedictorians at their high school - and let’s do these things in a very sensible way.’
“Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY)
“…Yarmuth has publicly called for a comprehensive immigration package along the lines of the Senate’s framework, with a special emphasis on border security. He also defended President Obama’s decision to protect young undocumented immigrants from deportation via executive order.”
Please click here to read the full article.
“The Senate and the White House have each had their turn. Now it’s up to the GOP-controlled House, the most volatile of the trio, to figure out an immigration plan.
“Who are they? What are they working on? Members of both parties are keeping a tight lid on not just the substance of negotiations, but the group’s roster. While its makeup may change depending on how far to the left or right its final deal is, a few names have popped up reliably in talks with aides and media reports. And their history on immigration could offer hints of what’s to come.
“First, the Republican side.
“Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)
“Cuban-American Diaz-Balart…has been one of the steadiest voices for comprehensive immigration reform since President Bush’s failed attempt in 2007. He was one of the only Republicans in the House to vote for the DREAM Act in 2010…
“…Rep. John Carter (R-TX)
“Carter, one of two Texan Republicans in the group, is a good representative of the kind of Republicans reformers will need to win over to pass a bill. He’s a solid conservative who’s emphasized border security over legalizing undocumented immigrants…But these days…he’s fine-tuning exactly what that word means…
“…Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX)
“…Johnson is now one of the members trying to dig reform back up again. Like Carter, Johnson’s rhetoric has hewed towards the hardline in the past.
“…Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID)
“Labrador may be the most important - and tenuous - member of the group. A former immigration attorney…Labrador has emphatically called for an immigration bill, but also recently denounced legislation that would include a path to citizenship.
“…And the Democrats:
“Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)
“Gutierrez is the most outspoken progressive voice in the mix and a longtime advocate for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants…He left the House Financial Services Committee…to join the Judiciary Committee…in anticipation of upcoming legislative battles.
“Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
“Like Labrador, Lofgren used to be an immigration attorney. As the top ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee’s immigration subcommittee, Lofgren will be front and center crafting a bill…
“…Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA)
“The chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Becerra recently declared that the bipartisan group was ‘on the cusp’ of reaching a deal.
“…[Becerra said] ‘[L]et’s be realistic and sensible about how we approach all those folks who made America their home, established businesses, have children who have gone on to be valedictorians at their high school - and let’s do these things in a very sensible way.’
“Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY)
“…Yarmuth has publicly called for a comprehensive immigration package along the lines of the Senate’s framework, with a special emphasis on border security. He also defended President Obama’s decision to protect young undocumented immigrants from deportation via executive order.”
Please click here to read the full article.
