Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is probably more optimistic than most about the chances of the Senate’s immigration reform bill passing in the House, saying on Sunday that it will pass by the end of the year.
Schumer, who appeared on ‘Fox News Sunday‘ with fellow Gang of Eight member Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), was asked about the assertion from Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) that the House would not take up the Senate’s bill. Host John Roberts asked if the New York Senator thought immigration reform might be dead.
“No, not at all,” Schumer responded. “In fact, I believe that by the end of this year, the House will pass the Senate bill. I know that’s not what they think now, and they’ll say, ‘Oh no, that’s not what’s gonna happen.’ But I think it will.”
The Senator explained that he respected Boehner and understood the risk in the primaries that many Republicans would face if they voted for the immigration bill. But he also noted that Republicans will be a “minority party” for an entire generation if they didn’t help pass immigration reform.
“We’re not going to let this issue go away,” he said.
Schumer also said Boehner wouldn’t be able to pass any piecemeal sections of immigration reform, since Democrats wouldn’t vote for tougher border security without a pathway to citizenships.
McCain’s response was a little more measured, noting that he wouldn’t want to tell Boehner how to do his job. But he also added that Congress eventually enacts legislation that follows public opinion.
“It’s not going to be easy…” he said. “But I think Republicans realize the implications of the future of the Republican party in America if we don’t get this issue behind us.”
Appearing later on ‘Fox News Sunday,’ Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) condemned Schumer’s viewpoint.
“I was moved almost to the point of tears by Senator Schumer’s concern for the future prospects of the Republican party,” he joked. “But we’re going to not take his advice.”
Gowdy echoed Boehner, saying the Senate immigration bill will not pass in the House.
“I’m more interested in doing it right than doing it on Senator Schumer’s schedule,” he added.
