Dems see ‘window of opportunity’ on immigration if Obama reelected
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<b>Leading House Democrats say President Obama has a great opportunity to pass immigration reform next year if he keeps the White House, but warn his window to act will be short.</b><br />
Rep. Henry Cuellar (Texas), vice chairman of the Democrats' Steering and Policy Committee, sounded a similar note this week. Cuellar pointed out that the issues Obama prioritized in his first term — including emergency economic stimulus, healthcare reform and finance reform — have largely been resolved, and no other major issue is screaming out for immediate attention in 2013.
"There will be a window of opportunity next year," Cuellar said. "Immigration should be the big issue."
Cuellar said the politics surrounding immigration have changed since the DREAM Act was last considered, particularly with Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.), a rising GOP star, urging his fellow Republicans to adopt a more compassionate approach to dealing with the many thousands of illegal immigrants brought to the country as children.
Cuellar said he's had Republicans approach him recently offering to sit down next year in search of immigration reforms both sides can support.
"Some of them are looking at just doing the DREAM Act [and not comprehensive reform]," Cuellar said. "But at least they're talking about it. So we'll have an opportunity."
