John McCain: LGBT Issues 'Best Way To Derail' Immigration Bill

Ianus · 04:58 PM

....As mentioned in a prior article I dont' think Republicans in general are ready yet for this...

Quote:

WASHINGTON -- Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) came close on Wednesday to drawing a line in the sand over the inclusion of same-sex couples in comprehensive immigration reform.

"Which is more important: LGBT or border security?" he said at an event hosted by Politico. "I'll tell you what my priorities are. If you're going to load it up with social issues, that is the best way to derail it, in my view."

McCain is part of an eight-member group -- four Democrats and four Republicans -- that released a framework for immigration reform on Monday. That plan does not include any mention of same-sex couples, who currently cannot petition for green cards for even their legally-married spouses under the Defense of Marriage Act.

Obama came out in support of changing immigration law to help same-sex binational couples, and the White House invited some of them to Las Vegas for the president's Tuesday speech on reform. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus also included a fix on the issue in its principles for immigration reform.

McCain called it a "red herring," comparing it to adding taxpayer-funded abortion to a final bill, an argument made Tuesday by his fellow group member Sen. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

The "gang of eight" has not yet discussed it, McCain said.

"I'll be glad to talk about it, discuss what the ramifications are and all of that, but if somebody views that as the most important aspect of comprehensive immigration reform then we just have a fundamental disagreement," McCain said.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), another member of the group who also appeared at the Politico event, said it will considered. He is a co-sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act, a bill that would allow same-sex couples to petition the government for green cards for their foreign-born partners. That bill has three Republican co-sponsors: Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Reps. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) and Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.).

"I'm a sponsor of this bill, I'm for it, I care about it," Schumer said. "We haven't discussed it yet, and certainly it will be one of the issues on the table, but as John said, we first have to get our basic structure and framework before we make decisions on this.

I'm concerned about this for a few reasons but most of all because Democrats might have enough numbers in the Senate to add UAFA via an amendment to the legislation whether in the Judiciary or on the Senate floor.

Sonawabich · 01-30-2013, 05:30 PM

LGBT lobby, please just stay out of our issue. We have been fighting for this for over 10 years.

youngunner · 01-30-2013, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonawabich

LGBT lobby, please just stay out of our issue. We have been fighting for this for over 10 years.

That's what I'm saying lol

We've been waiting too long and this is our opportunity!

ceramicpapi · 01-30-2013, 05:56 PM

I totally agree with that. I am not against LGBT advocates trying to get equal right, but I think they should focus on gay marriage and not hijack other issues. One of the problems that liberals have in this country is that whenever there's a liberal proposal the right always starts focusing on parts of the proposals that have to do with abortion or LGBT rights.

cacheton011 · 01-30-2013, 06:04 PM

I hope LGBTs understand what is at stake here. I hope Dems stop pushing all of their issues into CIR. Shoot, I wouldn't be surprised if they try to ban us from assault weapons for when we become citizens.

choukette · 01-30-2013, 06:13 PM

I am with reps on this one. Lets stop wasting time on social issues that will get resolved later on. Right now the focus should be on 11 million people in need.

MaskedLuchador · 01-30-2013, 06:15 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if CIR gets derailed by this.

Task_1539 · 01-30-2013, 06:49 PM

Much love to the LBGT crew here, but just like with immigration reform these things take time.

moto · 01-30-2013, 07:03 PM

Dammn it.. I support LGBT community but this is not the time to push their issues through CIR..it will do nothing but kill the bill and no one will benefit.

DamLeon123 · 01-30-2013, 07:40 PM

The conservative num-nuts will use every cheap ploy to get thier way. Like the way they chicken-shit use the fillibuster. "Whah, whah, whah I'm a republican and I like to hijack the popular vote with my little sissy fillibuster Whah, whah, whah!. "

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John McCain: LGBT Issues 'Best Way To Derail' Immigration Bill