Boehner splashes cold water on immigration reform
By Carrie Dann
House Speaker John Boehner dampened prospects for immigration reform this year, blaming a lack of trust between the White House and Republicans.
Theres widespread doubt about whether this administration can be trusted to enforce our laws, he said Thursday in a briefing with reporters. And its going to be difficult to move any immigration legislation until that changes.
But the GOP leader did not say what rebuilding that trust might entail.
Boehner said he would continue speaking to members of his conference about how to move forward with legislation but that the presidents new focus on using executive action to accomplish his goals has undermined his push for immigration reform.
The presidents asking us to move one of the biggest bills of his presidency, and yet hes shown very little willingness to work with us on the smallest of things, he said.
A senior GOP aide disputed the idea that immigration reform is effectively dead for the year.
"The Speaker simply outlined the obstacles we face, which are formidable," the aide said.
Boehners tough talk echoes concerns voiced by rank-and-file members after Republicans unveiled their principles for immigration reform last week. While GOP leaders say they want to get immigration reform done, many Republicans are loathe to offer the White House much leeway on immigration provisions that they say would benefit Democrats at the ballot.
Rep. Paul Ryan,R-Wis., voiced similar concern on Sunday, saying that passage of reform legislation is "clearly in doubt" because of lack of faith in the president.
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