Biden visits immigration reform fasters

Vice President Biden made a surprise visit Friday to people who have been fasting for immigration reform on the National Mall.

“As my father would say, come hell or high water, we’re going to win this,” Biden said, according to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

VP Biden is visiting the @fast4families on the Mall, hearing their stories and supporting calls for #immigrationreform.

— Office of VP Biden (@VP) November 22, 2013

{mosads}Activists have been staying in tents on the Mall and have been fasting for a week and a half in an effort to push for immigration reform.

The “Fast for Families” effort tweeted a photo of Biden praying with the fasters.

The Vice President took a moment to pray with the fasters on day 11 of their journey #Fast4Families pic.twitter.com/FTS4cZs1LB

— Fast4Families (@fast4families) November 22, 2013

On Thursday, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said immigration reform is “absolutely not” dead. The issue, however, appears to be dead, at least for this year’s legislative session.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a tweet after Boehner’s comment, “If @SpeakerBoehner wants to move forward on immigration reform, he can call a vote today. House has votes to make #cir the law of the land.”

In September, President Obama ramped up pressure on House Republican leadership to pass immigration reform by the end of the year. With few legislative days remaining in 2013, satisfying that request appears highly unlikely.