Reid Reiterates: We’ve Got the Votes for Immigration Reform

America's Voice Blog

Posted 06/23/09 at 08:17pm

REID Just in case there was any doubt the first time around, Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) is standing firmly behind his recent statements on having the votes to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

In "Reid claims he has votes for reform," Politico's Alex Isenstadt reports:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said once again Tuesday that he has the votes to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

The only problem is finding floor time - and the political will in the Senate - to dig in on such a heated issue again.

"What is impeding comprehensive immigration reform is any floor time to do it," Reid told reporters. "I think we have the floor votes to do it."

Reid said he had recently spoken with senior White House adviser Pete Rouse about his desire for a detailed immigration reform bill and that he was confident his views had been passed on to President Barack Obama.

The piece continues, "Obama has expressed his commitment to comprehensive immigration reform, and on Thursday he will host a group of House members and senators to discuss how to move a bill forward." Indeed, the President has repeatedly reaffirmed his campaign pledge to pass immigration reform (here, here, here, here, here). Unfortunately, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has been on what appears to be a campaign to drive down expectations in advance of Thursday's meeting:

Reid's comments make Gibbs' wish-washy statements last Friday and today seem a bit baffling, at best.

Gibbs, at a June 19th White House press briefing: "But as we've said before, Chuck, we know there's -- we know the votes aren't there right now."

We'll leave the vote counting to the Senate Majority Leader.

As Thursday's White House meeting on immigration approaches, reform advocates will be looking to the President and Congress to step up to the plate, show clear leadership, and provide a concrete road map for getting it done.