Republicans Reject Republican Immigration Bill
A nonpartisan federal agency is predicting that enacting an immigration bill introduced by House Democrats would likely help to offset the nation #39;s budget de...
By: Secular Talk
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Republicans Declare War On The Tea Party. Louie Gohmert Fights Back
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) is launching a political action committee to defend ultra-conservatives against attacks from mainstream Republicans. In an in.
By: belnay nanke
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Republicans Declare War On The Tea Party. Louie Gohmert Fights Back - Video
Dan Walters Daily: Another Senate indictment puts Republicans back in mix
With Democrats in the state Senate now below the supermajority threshold, Republican members could swing some key issues this session, Dan says. (March 27, 2...
By: The Sacramento Bee
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Dan Walters Daily: Another Senate indictment puts Republicans back in mix - Video
Republicans favoring a broad revision of U.S. immigration policies are questioning why business groups arent doing more to force the issue with the partys majority in the House of Representatives.
Its been very soft, and we want them to go a little bit stronger, said Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Florida Republican in favor of easing immigration laws.
These Republicans say the party faces greater pressure to act quickly, particularly as President Barack Obama indicates he may curry favor with Hispanic voters by dialing back deportations that are averaging about 1,000 a day, more than under any other president. Such a move would jeopardize any remaining chance this year to pass immigration legislation sought by companies from Microsoft (MSFT) to Caterpillar. (CAT)
That would kill it, Senator Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican, said of an executive act to decrease deportations.
A comprehensive immigration bill Hatch helped craft that the Senate approved with bipartisan support last June expires Jan. 3 without action by the Republican-controlled House. The measure includes an expansion of worker visas sought by many businesses, including the tech industry.
House Speaker John Boehner, an Ohio Republican, has put a hold on his framework for immigration legislation amid signs it would divide his party ahead of Novembers elections.
Unfortunately, those of us who want immigration reform dont control the House, said Senator Jeff Flake, an Arizona Republican who helped write the Senate bill.
Business groups have helped advance the issue, and are still meeting with lawmakers to push for changes, said Carl Guardino, president chief executive officer of Silicon Valley Leadership Group, a San Jose, California-based group.
Other than physically tackling a member of Congress, which is probably against the law, Im not sure how much more aggressive we can be, Guardino said at a Bloomberg Government event yesterday. What we cannot do is go on to the House floor and vote for them.
Representative Greg Walden, an Oregon Republican in charge of his partys 2014 House races, said in February that action in the chamber this year on immigration policy may have to wait until after most state deadlines pass for candidates to file to challenge incumbent lawmakers in party primaries.
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COLUMBUS, Ga. -- For Republicans and social issues such as same-sex marriage, this is the silent spring.
While most party loyalists remain supporters of traditional marriage and gun rights and oppose most abortions, they also are engaged in campaigns in crucial states where polls are clear: The economy is by far the issue thats most on voters minds.
Its nothing more than the fact that the economy has people more concerned, Carter Wrenn, a veteran North Carolina political strategist, said of the emphasis on money and job issues.
But stressing often-polarizing social issues also carries substantial risk. In 2010 and 2012, Republicans who were popular with the conservative base but too extreme for the general electorate lost at least five Senate races they arguably could have won.
This time, the party is being more pragmatic. Republican leaders are urging candidates to adopt a gentler tone. And in the case of same-sex marriage, public attitudes are changing rapidly, particularly among younger voters.
This years turn away from social issues is apparent in states with closely watched Senate races. These are key battlegrounds, since Republicans need a net gain of six seats to seize control of the Senate.
In Arkansas, for example, Republicans have a great shot at winning the seat of Sen. Mark Pryor, one of the nations most vulnerable Democrats. And the economy and health care are the keys. Social issues didnt crack the top five priorities in an Arkansas Poll late last year.
In Louisiana, where Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu faces a difficult re-election, few social issues are being debated. Republicans right now believe the health care issue is big enough and strong enough to carry the election, said Kirby Goidel, a professor of political science at Louisiana State University.
Even in Republican primaries, social issues are less important.
In Mississippi, Republican Sen. Thad Cochran faces a tough renomination challenge from state Sen. Chris McDaniel, a tea party favorite. But the emphasis is largely on economic and health care issues. An early sign of the trend there: Voters in 2011 soundly defeated a ballot initiative that said life begins at conception.
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