3 Hurdles for Immigration Resolution in the U.S. House

Senate Gang of 8 bill tough for House Rs to swallow Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Can the Bi-Partisan Immigration Working Group of 8 House members develop a politically viable comprehensive plan? And will the House chambers Republican majority embrace it whether its moved in pieces as is likely or one big package? Well get ready to watch the opponents play whack-a-mole as they seek to derail legislation that may have a legitimate shot of going the distance.   Last Thursday House Judiciary Chairman Robert W. Goodlatte (R-Va) issued a statement reacting to Senate Gang of 8" efforts saying he commended them for their work but was critical of key provisions of their legislation. House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) said addressing the citizenship issue for illegal immigrants looms as the chambers biggest challenge.

Its really how do you treat the 10-15 million and do you put them on a path to citizenship I think thats going to be the big sticking point" said the Texas Republican whose Homeland Security Committee has jurisdiction over the border security components of any immigration overhaul the House might consider. The citizenship is going to be the hardest thing to rectify in my judgment."

The Senate Gang of 8" is touting its comprehensive immigration overhaul with hopes of having a legitimate shot of this time making its way to President Barack Obamas desk for signature. But whether the Senate plan can fulfill its potential rests in no small measure on the House of Representatives. Whether any form of immigration reform succeeds may depend on whether or not the House can surmount three major policy hurdles. Three policy debates to watch in the House are:

• The Pathway to Citizenship: Rep. Raul Labrador R-Idaho once said that it would be easier to sell immigration reform to House Republicans if the bill included a pathway to legalization" rather than citizenship. But a pathway to citizenship however arduous is going to be required for Senate passage.
  • The House Gang of 8" of which Labrador is a member has also since adopted this approach. But convincing a majority of House Republicans to agree could be a tough sell.
  • When asked last Thursday which part of the Senate immigration bill would be the toughest for House Republicans to swallow Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) said it would be the path" to citizenship adding I think we can do it." Flake a gang member only joined the Senate this year after serving 12 years in the House.
• The Cost: Among the concerns that have dogged House & Senate immigration negotiators for months was what an immigration overhaul might cost the federal treasury.
  • House Republicans have been reluctant to add to the deficit even for previously non-political spending like disaster relief meaning that a high score from the Congressional Budget Office could force drafters of the Senate bill back to the drawing board.
  • Sen. Charles E. Schumer D-N.Y. said Thursday he expects the CBO to score it as deficit neutral."
  • Goodlatte said about this subject in his statement: I am also concerned about the bills cost to the American taxpayer since it doesnt comply with pay-as-you-go and contains some budget gimmicks to avoid a high score from CBO." Goodlatte is set to be a major player in how immigration reform proceeds in the House.
• Border Enforcement & the Triggers": In urging conservatives to support the Senate bill Sen. Marco Rubio R-Fla. has focused almost exclusively on explaining the border enforcement provisions and how the path to citizenship for the millions of illegal immigrant U.S. residents is tied to triggers meant to prevent undocumented immigrants from receiving instant amnesty and make it less likely that future congresses would cancel funding for border security measures including the building of fences.
  • Critics of this portion of the Senate bill have been vocal since the bill was made available online Tuesday evening.
  • Leaving things the way they are; thats the real amnesty" Rubio countered during Thursdays news conference.

Congressman McCaul recently said he expects the Homeland Security Committee to markup border security legislation in May and suggested that there might be a brewing consensus with the Senate bill over how to handle the border security components. McCauls disposition appears to stem from recent developments whereby the Senates Gang of 8" has agreed to language that strengthen border security in a manner similar to what he is advocating in the House.

The Gang of 8 has adopted my bill as their border security piece. On immigration reform youre going to see a different debate in the Senate than in the House. I think the House bill is going to look different from the Senate. I think its going to be a lot tougher" said McCaul.