Newsmax -- Paul Ryan, the Republican congressman and former vice-presidential candidate best known for his war on spending, is emerging as his party's leading champion of immigration reform in the U.S. House of Representatives.
With Senate passage of a sweeping immigration bill imminent, Ryan has been meeting with House conservatives to persuade them that reform of the immigration system, including a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, is an economic necessity and critical to fixing the nation's fiscal problems.
Ryan, a potential 2016 presidential contender, sees himself as a "bridge builder" between immigration advocacy groups and reluctant Republicans, he said in an interview with Reuters.
He argues that the immigration system is broken and must be overhauled. "It doesn't work for national security. It doesn't work for economic security," Ryan said.
While bi-partisan support is propelling comprehensive immigration reform in the Senate, the Republican-controlled House will take a piecemeal approach, with passage of any "pathway to citizenship" a longshot, at best.
Supporters believe the 43-year-old lawmaker, who hails from a moderate district in southern Wisconsin, two hours north of Chicago, can make a difference because of his stature as a leading conservative voice and a possible White House candidate.
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Blog author's comments - I say securing our borders benefits us...do that and only that. "Ryan has been meeting with House conservatives to persuade them that reform of the immigration system, including a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, is an economic necessity and critical to fixing the nation's fiscal problems." Paul Ryan like Senator Marco Rubio is weak and has lost his way. It is disheartening to see this.
Paul Ryan's political career...if he continues his push for an immigration bill which resembles the Senate bill... will hopefully soon be over. The huge problem as I see it, is if an immigration bill like Ryan wants passes in the House, the Republican Party will never ever be able to elect another president as soon as the illegals are given amnesty, citizenship and the right to vote.
The person who should now have the most control of the future of the Republican Party is the Speaker of the House John Boehner. If he can bring himself to put the much needed pressure on the Republican House members to pass...I repeat...a bill which will only secure our borders this may gain the GOP more support in the midterm elections in 2014. I still believe the majority of voters do not want a bill which eventually gives, the many illegals that have already broken our existing laws, citizenship.
