Thread: Pelosi Says Senate Will Go First on Immigration Reform

Pelosi says Senate will go first on immigration reform

June 25th, 2009, 1:08 pm
Posted by Dena Bunis, Washington Bureau Chief

Just got my hands on the transcript from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s weekly news conference. She says that she won’t bring an immigration reform bill to the floor until the Senate acts.

A group of bipartian lawmakers who had been in the trenches on this issue are at the White House in a closed door meeting with President Barack Obama.

The White House pool reporters are supposed to get some word on what happened at the meeting’s end.

We’ll have even more to post after Washington Bureau reporter, Jessica Terrell and I, talk to some people who were in the room, including Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Garden Grove.

(Update: The wires are reporting that there were differing opinions in the room- no surprise- but all agree system needs fixing. See below for AP report)

I did talk to Rep. Ed Royce, an outspoken opponent of any proposal to legalize the 12 million illegal immigrants here now. Besides being disappointed that he wasn’t invited to the White House meeting, Royce said given the recession and what he says are the costs of a comprehensive bill, he’s hoping the GOP can beat back any immigration reform effort.

The Fullerton Republican said today’s White House meeting â€

[quote]Obama said any overhaul must focus on tightening borders and clarifying the status of the country’s 12 million illegal immigrants.â€

[quote]Obama said any overhaul must focus on tightening borders and clarifying the status of the country’s 12 million illegal immigrants.â€