Speaker Ryan says DACA immigration debate 'next big priority'

Without making any new promises, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan said Thursday he was committed to bringing an immigration bill to the floor as the “next big priority” to protect young Dreamers from deportation by a March deadline.

Ryan is trying to strike a delicate balance by appealing to Democrats and his own centrist Republicans — whose votes he needs to pass a sweeping budget deal — while not specifically embracing any particular legislative proposal that could alienate conservatives or be met with disapproval by President Trump, whose support he needs for any immigration plan.

“To anyone who doubts my intention to solve this problem and bring up a DACA and immigration reform bill, do not,” Ryan said, referring to the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that Trump is ending March 5. A court case is allowing it to continue temporarily.

“Please know that we are committed to getting this done.”

The speaker’s remarks came a day after Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi commandeered the House floor for eight hours pressing Ryan for a commitment — similar to one Senate Leader Mitch McConnell made — to quickly address the issue.

Both parties want to prevent deportations of the nearly 700,000 immigrants who have lived in the U.S. illegally as minors but now can work or attend school as young adults under DACA.

Ryan had promised when he took hold of the speaker’s gavel in 2015 that he would not consider legislation unless it has support from most of the GOP majority — all but dashing hopes of a compromise with Democrats — but he since has softened that approach and said he will bring forward a bill Trump will sign.

On Thursday, Ryan ventured a bit further, suggesting the ultimate bill would be bipartisan.

“I’m confident we can bring a bipartisan solution to the floor that can get signed into law and solve this problem,” he said.

http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-n...htmlstory.html

Nice, no more reasons or excuses, time to get some closure on this.

i'm glad the budget/shutdown issue is over... now we can take center stage in the Congress, despite what Chuck Schumer said that we dont deserve the stage.

they can finally concentrate on immigration next week w/ hopefully a fair debate and amendments process.

i just wanna see em' try, pass or fail. i can live and die by the vote.

enjoy your weekend, and get them renewals in!

Did he promise?

He triple double pinky promise

Goodlatte's bill is hitting Thursday. He's too scared of the minority of the republican party. We probably will need a discharge petition of the Senate bill and someone to deliver Trump McDonald with the new bill.

@ChadPergram
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1h
Pelosi: The fight in the House to protect Dreamers is not over. I’m greatly disappointed that the Speaker does not have the courage to lift the shadow of fear from the lives of these inspiring young people.

I hope Trump finally endorses something that the Senate is on board with. Ryan would put such a version up for a vote. I also hope that version includes aged out dreamers and a path to citizenship.

The Goodlatte Bill doesn’t have 218 votes among republicans. Unless something changes, the bill is DOA.