Gutiérrez scores seat on Air Force One

One of the most vocal Democratic proponents of immigration reform has scored a seat on Air Force One to attend President’s Obama’s speech on Friday in Las Vegas.

Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-Ill.) told The Hill he was closely coordinating with the White House ahead of Thursday night’s announcement of executive action on immigration. The congressman was among a group of Democratic lawmakers who dined with Obama on Wednesday evening.

{mosads}Asked why the White House didn’t invite Republicans who worked on immigration reform to the dinner, Gutiérrez said the president wanted to talk to his closest allies.

“The president called a team of people that he’s been working with. … We voted for him,

Watch the video to hear Gutierrez’s behind-the-scene descriptions of the White House dinner.