Rubio: ‘More than 50-50’ chance of immigration reforms in next Congress

Ianus · 12-05-2012, 12:26 PM

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/2...-next-congress

Quote:

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) on Wednesday put the odds at “more than 50-50” that broad immigration reforms pass the next Congress.

Rubio said he is "really hopeful" that immigration reform can be completed, and said there's consensus on many of the issues.

"I think it needs to be dealt with comprehensively, but not in a comprehensive bill — in a comprehensive package of bills," he said at a breakfast sponsored by Politico.

The Florida senator, who is seen as a possible presidential candidate in 2016, said immigration should be dealt with in a series of bills that deal with specific issues like border security, temporary worker programs, the E-Verify system for employers and the legal status of undocumented immigrants.

He argued that it would be "not easy, but a lot easier" to deal with giving some legal standing to undocumented immigrants if border security were addressed first.

Rubio said the demographic shifts that helped Democrats in the last election, including support from the rapidly growing Hispanic population, were more a "challenge" than a "danger" to the GOP. He said that the fastest-growing segment of voters looked at candidates, not party, and argued that some "have forgotten the art of persuasion" in wooing new voters.

Rubio said he had "no idea" if he would run or not and would decide in "a few years." He said Democrats in 2012 had done a much better job with their voter outreach programs.

"Whoever has the high ground on technology is going to win both in warfare and in politics and we can never let that happen again," he said.

Rubio said Republicans need to change how they talk about undocumented immigrants.

"You're not talking about a plague of locusts, you're talking about people, real human beings," he said.

On the “fiscal cliff”, Rubio warned that the government is "on the verge of doing some significant and lasting damage" to the U.S. economy and said he would vote against "any plan that hurts growth" when asked whether he'd oppose a deal that raised taxes on wealthy families.

"I just think the No. 1 issue is to grow the economy. It's not about taxes," he said, arguing the "only way" to find the revenue necessary to pay down the debt is through "rapid economic growth."

But he predicted there would be a deal to resolve the fiscal challenges before the end of the year.

"I think something will happen. I do. I believe we'll avoid this. I just think there's too much at stake," he said, saying that when "the cameras are off and people are being people and not just senators on television" they could get together to strike a deal.

The senator recently caused a stir when he declined to say how old the Earth is, drawing charges from the left that he denies science. He sought to clarify those remarks on Wednesday.

“There is no scientific debate on the age of the Earth, it is about four and a half billion years old," he said, continuing on to say that "is not inconsistent" with the teachings of his faith.

Demise · 12-05-2012, 01:47 PM

Quote:

"I think it needs to be dealt with comprehensively, but not in a comprehensive bill — in a comprehensive package of bills," he said at a breakfast sponsored by Politico.

Meaning that first they go after E-Verify and border enforcement and suddenly lose interest should these pass.

msaccountant · 12-05-2012, 01:51 PM

^That's what I just read.

Quote:

"Whoever has the high ground on technology is going to win both in warfare and in politics and we can never let that happen again," he said.

Okay you lost get over it. This just makes it sound like in his view the government is still polarized and that doesn't help this country at all. Rubio....

2Face · 02:06 PM

Who died and made this clown the decider on immigration. He is the most pathetic hispanic congressman I have ever heard of. Rubio talking "good things" about undocumented immigrants and passing immigration reform is like Al Qaeda praising the Arab Spring protestors and "supporting" them for fighting for freedom. Both are trying to maintain credibility when nobody really cares about them. Rubio isn't going to do SHIT with immigration. Did you catch his fiery RNC speech? Dude is 100% white washed southern style. He does not support immigrants. He is jealous of them and he's also jealous Cubans aren't getting the limelight like the rest of the spanish speaking countries.

JPerezR · 12-05-2012, 05:45 PM

Rubio is an idiot! The only reason why he has even been involved in immigration talks in the past is to try and win over latinos for the GOP. He doesn't care about all latinos.

chlehqls · 12-05-2012, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Face

Who died and made this clown the decider on immigration. He is the most pathetic hispanic congressman I have ever heard of. Rubio talking "good things" about undocumented immigrants and passing immigration reform is like Al Qaeda praising the Arab Spring protestors and "supporting" them for fighting for freedom. Both are trying to maintain credibility when nobody really cares about them. Rubio isn't going to do SHIT with immigration. Did you catch his fiery RNC speech? Dude is 100% white washed southern style. He does not support immigrants. He is jealous of them and he's also jealous Cubans aren't getting the limelight like the rest of the spanish speaking countries.

I would say grouping him with other Hispanic immigration supporters would be kind of insulting since he's of Cuban descent.

I consider Cubans to be "temporarily embarrassed" Hispanics.

frbc13 · 12-05-2012, 06:31 PM

Rubio: more than 50-50 chance of immigration reform....51-49 chance of immigration reform

DA User · 12-06-2012, 01:00 AM

I like Rubio. He is for the CIR/DA.

msaccountant · 12-06-2012, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DA User

I like Rubio. He is for the CIR/DA.

I'm no longer supporting your campaign to become mod.

DA User · 12-07-2012, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msaccountant

I'm no longer supporting your campaign to become mod.

He supports CIR/DA though.

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Rubio: ‘More than 50-50’ chance of immigration reforms in next Congress