After House Democrats Arrested At Immigration Rally, White House Pressures GOP
After House Democrats were arrested Tuesday at a rally to support an immigration overhaul, the White House turned up the pressure even more on Republicans who stand in the way of reform.
The Democrats arrested were part of a march in Washington on the National Mall to urge Congress to take action on immigration.
Immigration reform has been stuck in Congress after a reform bill drafted by the bipartisan Gang of Eight passed the Senate in June. The bill would create a pathway toward citizenship for illegal immigrants while also increasing border security. It would also increase the number of visas for skilled labor.
While it has support in the Senate, the Republican-controlled House remains a more difficult landscape. Conservatives have characterized the bill as “amnesty” for illegal immigrants, and its passage seems unlikely.
At the rally on Tuesday, close to 200 protesters were arrested for civil disobedience. Eight House Democrats were among those arrested and placed in zip-tie handcuffs. Those arrested include Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), Rep. Raul Grivjalva (D-Ariz.), Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.).
After the arrests, the White House praised their efforts.
“The enthusiastic demonstration of support for immigration reform this week has proven to Congress that the broad coalition behind commonsense solutions to our nation’s broken immigration laws is as strong as it has ever been,” said the White House in a statement.
But the White House also acknowledged that nothing will be done on immigration until the government shutdown ends. Republicans in Congress have refused to pass a measure to pay the government’s bills unless an amendment to defund or delay Obamacare is included.
“It’s time for the House of Representatives to reopen the government, pay their bills, and get back to the important work of moving the economy forward,” said the statement.
The House Democrats arrested have succeeded in bringing attention to their fight, but the outcome may not be as they desired. House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) said he will try to pass immigration reform piece by piece, rather than the Senate’s comprehensive bill.
