Senate

GOP senator challenges Dems to vote for immigration plan

by Jordain Carney - 02/24/15 3:04 PM ET

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Tuesday challenged Democrats to vote for an immigration bill that senators will take up Friday.

{mosads}“We’re going to give them an opportunity to put their money where their mouth is. In other words, we’re going to see if they can take ‘yes’ for an answer,” Cornyn said from the Senate floor.

Cornyn’s remarks follow Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) announcement that the Senate would vote to take up an immigration bill at the end of the week. That proposal would eliminate two new immigration programs launched by President Obama late last year, while allowing a 2012 initiative targeting younger immigrants to continue as designed.

McConnell said he’s also reached out to Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) about a “clean” spending bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through Sept. 30.

Lawmakers have been at a standstill over the funding, which runs out Friday. McConnell’s move could pressure Senate Democrats, who previously voiced concerns about Obama’s immigration actions but have objected to tying immigration to DHS funding.

Cornyn, a member of the Senate Republican leadership, placed the blame for the current impasse squarely on the shoulders of Democrats.

“The Democrats don’t seem satisfied with the ability to offer amendments. … Their attitude is, ‘We’re not even going to consider it unless we get everything we want right up front,’ ” he said.

He also suggested the immigration bill was an opportunity for Democrats to vote against the president’s actions without impacting DHS funding.

“We have a pretty simple and straightforward message to our Democratic friends,” Cornyn said. “We’re here to say, here’s your chance.”

Tags Immigration John Cornyn