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Immigration Reform Heats Up During Congressional Vacation 08-12-13 | News

Immigration Reform Heats Up During Congressional Vacation

Returning to their constituents during the summer recess may be causing some Republican House representatives to soften their stances on some of the key elements of the immigration reform bill passed by the Senate in early July.

More than a month after the Senate passed their immigration reform bill, members of the House adjourned for their five-week summer break without having brought their version of the bill to the floor for debate.

But facing intense campaigns by pro-immigration advocates at town-hall events, as well as hundreds of rallies, petition drives and other actions across the country, Republicans may be feeling the heat and softening their rhetoric to help cool things down.

During the break, Florida's Daniel Webster and Illinois' Aaron Schock went on record to give preliminary support for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. The House GOP whip, Kevin McCarthy of California announced support for legal status, but stopped short of supporting full citizenship.

At a press conference on August 9, President Obama expressed his certainty that the Senate bill would pass the House if it was allowed to be brought up for a vote. He noted that laws don't generally solve 100 percent of the problems, citing the Social Security Act as an example, but that doesn't make them bad laws.

Obama urged the House to put a high priority when they return on finalizing immigration reform, even if it isn't exactly the one the Senate passed, The pro-immigration campaigns are planned to continue throughout August and time will tell how their efforts affect the outcome.