Obama, McCain to huddle on immigration

Ianus · 11-07-2013, 03:25 PM

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/1...ation-strategy

Quote:

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will meet with President Obama at the White House Thursday afternoon to plot strategy for passing comprehensive immigration reform.

McCain said Obama requested the meeting, which comes at a time political momentum for immigration reform is flagging.

“I’m going over to the White House this afternoon to meet with him [on] immigration reform and others,” he said. “I actually have a respectful and cordial relationship with him.”

McCain and Obama need to shore up the support of wavering allies such as Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who has backed off the push to overhaul the nation's immigration laws in a 1,200-page comprehensive bill.

Rubio has said the Senate should not try to merge its comprehensive bill with a piecemeal measure coming out of the House.

McCain's ally, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), has predicted there would be more Republican support for immigration reform after the filing deadlines for Republican primaries in 2014.

Graham, who is facing his own primary threat in South Carolina, said he would not attend Thursday's meeting between McCain and Obama.

A White House official confirmed the president's meeting with McCain would occur at 3:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon, but stressed the two would "discuss a broad range of issues" — not just immigration.

Many Democrats are growing impatient with the lack of progress of immigration reform in the House.

“I’m disappointed that the immigration issue is going to go into an election year,” said Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.).

“Some argue, ‘Well, when we get beyond some primary elections maybe it will be easier,’” he said. “I just get nervous. The closer you get to an election, the tougher it is to deal with some of these challenging issues.”

freshh. · 11-07-2013, 03:36 PM

Honestly, this is what he should have been doing all along. Meeting with business leaders and other pro-reform groups is great, but the Dems dropped the ball by not coming up with a strategy to deal with House Republicans as soon as the Senate bill passed.

dtrt09 · 11-07-2013, 03:37 PM

Lol, immigration reform meetings always happen on a Thursday or Friday, at the end of the work day, only to not hear of it again for weeks or months.

dtrt09 · 11-07-2013, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshh.

Honestly, this is what he should have been doing all along. Meeting with business leaders and other pro-reform groups is great, but the Dems dropped the ball by not coming up with a strategy to deal with House Republicans as soon as the Senate bill passed.

I agree. I am not a very religious person, though I do believe in God, but I pray that they get their act together and find a way to pass this soon. Med school....med school...

Alex QA · 11-07-2013, 03:42 PM

Immigration reform 2025!!! Yayyy lets go !! When we're all like 55 years old !! Buncha clowns.

freshh. · 11-07-2013, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtrt09

I agree. I am not a very religious person, though I do believe in God, but I pray that they get their act together and find a way to pass this soon. Med school....med school...

I just keep telling myself that all of this will be worth it when I can finally accomplish that goal. Unfortunately, at the rate this whole process is going med school may happen when I am 80.

dtrt09 · 11-07-2013, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshh.

I just keep telling myself that all of this will be worth it when I can finally accomplish that goal. Unfortunately, at the rate this whole process is going med school may happen when I am 80.

It's disheartening, isn't it? I tell you something, these past few days, I have started to feel sorry for the President. He is the recipient of so-much ill-will, racism, prejudice, hate, you name it. The hate is just palpable, even thru the screen. However, someone, please, please do him a favor, and snap him out of it. He has a great family, loyal, close friends, the power of the Presidency and incredible, unlimited resources. Really, stop trying to please everyone. Everyone' friend is nobody's friend, remember that? Have the guts to do the right thing for CIR, not for the politicians who were there before you arrived, and who will be there looong after you're gone. Ok, rant over.

dreamBIGGER · 11-07-2013, 04:35 PM

We just need 29 more representatives to sign off on the democratic bill to have a majority and use discharge petition. Currently 186 democrats and 3 republicans have supported the bill.

NK74 · 11-07-2013, 05:24 PM

The Senate has already passed a bill. McCain controls shit in the house. It's two people discussing a matter for which they hold little to no influence over the people who are holding this back.

Our hope is what Graham said. More House Republicans will come along after the Primary Filing deadlines have passed and conservative Republicans don't fear a right wing challenge.

dreamact1982 · 05:50 PM

What is there to discuss?! None of the politicians ever heard of CIR? So like, um how many more meetings/huddles/jerking each other off before anything comes in the House for a vote? This month, 2015, 2017? Every year, there is an excuse

If there was a threat of cutting their pay, the CIR would be passed in 5 days. They are wortless lazy bunch who dont do ANYTHING. Only thing they do is go to party lunches, attend their stupid gym, socialize on K street, and press a button in chamber when they have to. All the work that ever is done is by all of their underpaid staff. End of rant

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Obama, McCain to huddle on immigration