GOP Rep. Steve Scalise: House won't take up Senate immigration bill

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• GOP Rep. Steve Scalise: House won't take up Senate immigration bill

Scalise: No guarantee House GOP will consider Senate immigration bill

By Tal Kopan, CNN
Updated 10:53 AM ET, Tue January 23, 2018

Washington (CNN)The House isn't planning to take up what the Senate might pass on immigration, the House Republican whip said Monday, setting a potential showdown between the two chambers on the issue.House Republican Whip Steve Scalise told reporters Monday afternoon that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's pledge on the Senate floor to turn to immigration in February -- a key part of ending the government shutdown -- held little weight on the House side.

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Immigration talks: What's next?


"There were no commitments made in the House," Scalise said.

"I think we've been very clear that any final solution has to include funding for a wall and we've been working closely with President Trump on that," he added.

Scalise also ruled out "amnesty," though he wasn't clear on how he defined it and whether it would mean a pathway to citizenship for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, a program that protected young undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children that Trump has decided to end.

In the Senate, the Republicans' 51-49 majority and the 60-vote threshold to advance legislation requires that any bill have bipartisan support, which almost guarantees a version passed in the upper chamber will have a pathway to citizenship.

But in the House, where Republicans control the chamber and a simple majority is all that's required for legislation, there's pressure on leadership to pass something far more conservative.

"Ultimately, we've got to see how all sides can come together,"
Scalise said. "Let's see if the Senate can come together with something that President Trump can support. And I think there's a deal to be made, but in my mind it would not include amnesty and has to include border security and funding of a wall."

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It appears the Senate is full of amnesty supporters. The American people need to stop re-electing amnesty lawmakers and encourage those who would vote the best for American citizens. Even those who are crafting pro-American immigration legislation are willing to compromise on amnesty.

Leadership has made it so difficult for people to run and succeed outside of their control. Threats of loss of money, demotions on committees, throwing dirt, etc. discourage going against the Mitch McConnell types.

Schumer withdraws offer on Trump's wall

This may provide a way to do immigration control in a gradual way. I'm assuming the US House comes up with what immigration control advocates want (although I would also like to see them restrict the visa programs, too). Then the Senate either comes up with nothing (because there are not enough to agree to any one program), or somehow Graham, Flake and Schumer manage to propose a DACA amnesty. It still could get dropped in committee, or even if it gets to the floor would have to have cloture, which could very well not happen. But assuming the worst, that they got a DACA bill actually passed by the Senate, it would still have to go to conference.

I think it is going to be slim chances of getting a DACA bill completely through. Just my opinion. However, looking ahead to the midterm elections I think the Republicans are in a stronger position than the media would admit. Trump's approval rating has bottomed out, and the GOP is appearing stronger and more competent to core voters. In close elections getting over voter apathy is always a big hurdle.

Hold the line, House Republicans!!! HOLD THE LINE. NO DACA. NO AMNESTY. NO BLACKMAIL.