Posted on 03/26/2014 2:13:40 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) pressed the economic case for overhauling the nation’s immigration system on Wednesday, saying that reform is inevitable and necessary to boost growth in the United States.
Ryan’s fellow House Republicans have largely put the kibosh on moving forward with immigration reform this year, but some key GOP lawmakers are still lobbying their colleagues publicly and privately to tackle immigration. The 2012 Republican vice presidential nominee is among figures who have urged the GOP to embrace an overhaul.
“To me, it’s not a question of ‘if’ we fix our broken immigration laws,” Ryan said Wednesday at a breakfast hosted by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “It’s really a question of ‘when.’”
(CARTOONS: Matt Wuerker on immigration)
Ryan called the nation’s immigration laws “chief” among the problems that are curbing economic growth. Noting the rate of retirement among baby boomers, Ryan said reforming the immigration system is necessary to fill future jobs.
“Please know that we understand the value of immigration,” Ryan told the crowd. “We know its importance; we know its roots, its history here in America; and we have ideas on how to make this go forward and make it work so that we do have the rule of law, so that we do have reform, so that we’re not in the same position 15 years down the road.”
House Republican leaders signaled earlier this year that they were ready to move forward on immigration reform — months after the Democratic-led Senate passed a complete overhaul with a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants.
(PHOTOS: 10 wild immigration quotes)
But the GOP quickly extinguished the chances that immigration will get done this year, citing skepticism that President Barack Obama will enforce any laws that Congress writes. Republicans are also reluctant to take on a divisive issue such as immigration during an election year in which they will almost certainly retain control of the House and have a good chance at capturing the Senate.
Ryan recently indicated in an interview with his hometown paper, the Janesville Gazette, that GOP leaders do not yet have the votes to pass immigration reform, but “we’re working hard to find where that consensus lies.”
Among the biggest obstacles on the way to that consensus is what to do with the millions of immigrants living in the United States illegally. House Republicans have yet to put forward a measure dealing with that issue, but Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), at the same event Wednesday, was optimistic that a small circle of House Republicans has legislative language that could work.
(Also on POLITICO: Obama endorses House Dems)
“Can we deal with the folks that are here in a way that is reasonable, that does not violate the rights of folks who have done things legally, [and] can we strictly adhere to the rule of law?” Diaz-Balart said. “Some of us think we’ve achieved that magic formula.”
Chamber of Commerce and Americans for Prosperity. You need big bucks from your corporate paymasters if you want to run for the WH.
Somebody please tell me why some conservatives got excited when he was named Romney’s running mate?
Can anyone who has followed Paul Ryan’s career tell me if he has ALWAYS been a muscle-head scumbag?
That’s funny. In the 70s they told us there was a population explosion and to stop having babies.
So, instead, now...why not encourage American’s to have families?
How much under the table cash has Big Business and the Chamber
paid Ryan to be their pimp?
Assuming for the sake of argument that that is true, when the National Socialists have the Senate and White Hut is the WRONG time. Nothing that would get past them would be worth passing, and there's good likelihood the GOP will have the Senate or very nearly so after January. Why piss of the base now by (a) opening the issue at all when you're at least in a position to block it and (b) doing it under circumstances that guarantee bad legislation?
Pure Chamber of Commerce B.S.
Break wages! Chittagong scales now!!!
"What this country needs is a good five-cent human being."
I have heard for years about the “broken” immigration laws by politicians of all stripes. Can someone kindly tell me what part of the immigration law is broken, other than the enforcement.
Enforce what we have, and there will be nothing broken.
Gwjack
Ryan is right. Just getting the right bill is the question.
Ryan is more dangerous to our nation than Putin. Putin is not trying to destroy us, Ryan now is.
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Because their window of opportunity to walk this abortion through Congress past the People is closing, as the Tea Party begins to realize its power and advance our own agenda -- which doesn't include busting everybody back to 40 cents/hour in a world of Rodeo Drive prices.
Go to hell, Paul. You have shamed yourself.
I have been asking that question for years....to no avail, I might add. Regardless, the fix is in.
Yes, we can! Encourage self-deportation. Follow up with forced deportation.
FU PR.
Dittos.
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