Asians, blacks, Hispanics and women who together stand as the majority in the Democratic caucus in the House of Representatives have publicly disparaged the piecemeal approach to immigration preferred by the Republicans as well as their noticeable omission of any pathway to legalization for the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States.
Speaker John Boehner, who is in control of agenda in the House of Representatives, which is controlled by the Republican Party, has stated flatly that the bipartisan bill that has already passed the Senate and that promises billions spent on new border security and the promise of citizenship for millions will not be considered by lawmakers, and despite the Democrats’ publicly stating that their piecemeal approach is unacceptable, they may be left with little in the way of alternatives.
Democrats are telling Boehner that this is a historic moment for him, stating that the whole future of the Republican Party in future US elections is at stake if they are seen to just block the immigration bill that has already passed the Senate. The US’ Hispanic population has increased by 65% in the last 13 years and millions of new voters have already displayed their opinion of the Party in last year’s crushing election defeat.
“It’s an existential dilemma for the Republicans,” notes Republican Peter Welch. “The folks in gerrymandered (House) districts can just say no, but if they want to have any national future, the adults in the room have to say yes.”