Vilsack takes up immigration battle
April 28, 2014 | 05:00 PM
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack sees an opening to pass immigration reform this year and is taking up the cause this week, with a telephone news conference today and a speech to the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund Awards Gala in Washington on Tuesday.
In the call to reporters. Vilsack said he believes fears that immigration would become an issue in congressional primary elections has prevented action, but that as the primary election season comes to an end, “There is no question that the opportunity for immigration reform is now.”
Vilsack acknowledged that the “the number of days left in this congressional session are limited,” but he added, “If it is to get done, it needs to get done now.”
All the Republican leaders of the House — Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., — as well as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “understand the importance of it,” he said.
Support for immigration reform ranges from the “natural constituency” of Democrats in labor unions and the Hispanic community to conservative evangelical and other faith-based leaders, but it has been blocked by “a small and ever-shrinking minority of people in Congress and the country that do understand the importance and need for it,” Vilsack said.
He also called Republican statements that they cannot trust President Barack Obama to implement immigration reform one of “phony, flimsy excuses” used to avoid action.
No compromises to achieve “common ground” can be reached, Vilsack noted, until the House passes legislation that could be conferenced with the comprehensive immigration reform bill the Senate passed.
Phil Glaize, a Winchester, Va., apple grower who joined Vilsack on the call, said he fears he will not be able to find the 115 harvest workers he needs this year and that worries about workers are keeping him from expanding.
Glaize said that he and other Virginia farmers have spoken to both Cantor and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., about immigration reform repeatedly in recent years. Glaize said Goodlatte and farm leaders “have been at odds,” but that Goodlatte “has moved a little bit.”
Vilsack noted that farmers needed a budget deal, a farm bill and an immigration bill, and have gotten the first two, “and with a little bit of effort we could get the third one this year.”
In the call to reporters. Vilsack said he believes fears that immigration would become an issue in congressional primary elections has prevented action, but that as the primary election season comes to an end, “There is no question that the opportunity for immigration reform is now.”
Vilsack acknowledged that the “the number of days left in this congressional session are limited,” but he added, “If it is to get done, it needs to get done now.”
All the Republican leaders of the House — Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., — as well as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “understand the importance of it,” he said.
Support for immigration reform ranges from the “natural constituency” of Democrats in labor unions and the Hispanic community to conservative evangelical and other faith-based leaders, but it has been blocked by “a small and ever-shrinking minority of people in Congress and the country that do understand the importance and need for it,” Vilsack said.
He also called Republican statements that they cannot trust President Barack Obama to implement immigration reform one of “phony, flimsy excuses” used to avoid action.
No compromises to achieve “common ground” can be reached, Vilsack noted, until the House passes legislation that could be conferenced with the comprehensive immigration reform bill the Senate passed.
Phil Glaize, a Winchester, Va., apple grower who joined Vilsack on the call, said he fears he will not be able to find the 115 harvest workers he needs this year and that worries about workers are keeping him from expanding.
Glaize said that he and other Virginia farmers have spoken to both Cantor and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., about immigration reform repeatedly in recent years. Glaize said Goodlatte and farm leaders “have been at odds,” but that Goodlatte “has moved a little bit.”
Vilsack noted that farmers needed a budget deal, a farm bill and an immigration bill, and have gotten the first two, “and with a little bit of effort we could get the third one this year.”
