I don't know what to think about the timing of this introduction, amidst the shutdown extravaganza.

On one hand, this House-Senate ping pong, which is mostly defined party-line votes, marks the deep wedge that exists in Congress, with both sides standing strong, not giving an inch (expect CR impasse and shutdown to last for weeks and spill into the debt-ceiling). This new immigration bill, regardless of its merits, is a Democrat-led effort that will not jar well with the "step-by-step, common-sense" mantra we all know too well by now.

On the other hand, there are a lot of frustrated Republicans in the House with the 30-40 Tea Party hardliners that are driving the car (car = Boehner). Why doesn't Boehner just side with the "majority of the majority"? Because doing so will infuriate that small group of people who hold a lot of influence across the conference. This new immigration bill could provide a chance for some Republicans to break away from the chains of those 30-40 members (unlikely) but perhaps the real effect is that it will push Goodlatte and the others to introduce an alternative legislation bill or at the very least remind folks that if they can't agree on funding the government or healthcare, maybe they can agree on immigration as a way to save face.