Sen. Jeff Sessions named one of 7 most influential voices in immigration debate
By Leada Gore |
on September 04, 2014 at 12:22 PM



Sen. Jeff Sessions (Bob Gathany/bgathany@al.com)
Mike Cason | mcason@al.com

Alabama Republican Senator Jeff Sessions isn't just one of the most outspoken critics of the Obama administration'simmigration policies. He's also one of the most influential people in the country shaping debate on the issue, according to a new analysis.

Sessions has been named by The Hill as one of the seven influential voices shaping the immigration debate.

Sessions, ranking member of the Budget Committee, "has emerged this summer as something else: a powerful influence over the debate," The Hill noted. "Indeed, when House GOP leaders were forced to pull their initial border-funding bill last month, several singled out meetings with Sessions as the reason they were bucking their leadership."
The Hill continued:

"Sessions hasn't let up since. In press releases, op-eds and cable news interviews, the Alabama conservative has hammered Obama's response to the border migrant crisis and warned that new executive action would open the country to an increased threat of terrorism. The effect has been to rally the conservative base against Obama's unilateral action, even before he's taken any," the story notes.

Sessions' role is expected to expand if the president proceeds with his reported plans to expand amnesty programs to millions of those in the country illegally.

The list includes those who are working closely with the president to expand amnesty programs and others who oppose the idea. Here is who else is on the list:

1) Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill.
2) Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa
3) Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.
4) Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson
5) Cecilia Munoz, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council
6) Frank Sharry, head of the National Immigration Forum
7) Red-state Senate Democrats
You can read more on the rankings here.

http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2014/09/sen_jeff_sessions_named_one_of.html