Thread: Cornyn Open to Working on Immigration Reform

John Cornyn Open to Working on Immigration Reform

* By Norman Adams

Bravo to Senator Cornyn! The Texas GOP should unite behind his efforts to help pass a SENSIBLE approach to immigration reform. No Amnesty! No Deportations! ID them and Tax them! Read more about this in John Stanton's Roll Call article:

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas) is leaving the door open to working with Democrats on comprehensive immigration reform - so long as President Barack Obama commits to using his bully pulpit to advance legislation.

Most other Republicans have dismissed as a political ploy a framework released by Senate Democrats on Thursday, arguing it is designed to help Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) secure his re-election. But Cornyn told the newspaper La Opinion that while he was "surprised" to see Reid, Democratic Conference Vice Chairman Charles Schumer (N.Y.) and other Democrats unveil their blueprint, "There's lots of it that is good."

But Cornyn, who is the ranking member on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security, cautioned that "the problem is that the details are very important and need to be resolved." He told La Opinion that he is open to discussing the bill with Schumer and other Democrats, so long as the White House makes a commitment to leading on the issue.

Cornyn, who was a key negotiator on a comprehensive immigration reform bill in 2007, told the paper that he has told Schumer he "is willing to work, but I also said that the President needs to use his political influence to move this."

Schumer has targeted a handful of Republicans - Sens. Scott Brown (Mass.), George LeMieux (Fla.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Judd Gregg (N.H.) and Dick Lugar (Ind.) - as potential negotiators on a bipartisan immigration bill. The New York Democrat turned to those lawmakers after Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), dropped out of negotiations.

However, Cornyn said he has also had periodic talks with Schumer over the past year, and Reid's office has targeted the conservative Texas as a potential partner.

The Democrats' 22-page legislative summary, based on the now-defunct talks between Graham and Schumer, would establish a series of border security benchmarks that must be met before broader reforms are enacted . . .

http://www.texasgopvote.com/blog/cornyn ... form-05041

The Democrats will need the support of more than one Republican Senator to pass an amnesty bill. I'm almost certain Dems Byrd and Dorgan will not support an amnesty bill. I also believe Dems Tester and McCaskill (sp?) will not be easy sells. IMO, the Democrats will probably need at least 3-4 Republicans on board to have a reasonable chance of getting amnesty legislation through the Senate. Just my opinion, for what it's worth.