During an interview that aired on June 11, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) said when it comes to immigration reform, he is going to “ensure that all members on both sides have a fair shot at their ideas.” According to Politico, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said this was “music” to his “ears.”
Boehner said giving everyone a chance has been his method of running the House as Speaker to date, and that he was not going to change now. “[I’ve done this] more than any Speaker in modern history, to the point that there are some bills that have passed–with a majority of Democrats–in favor, and a minority of Republicans.”
The Speaker has received considerable criticism for breaking the Hastert Rule, under which a bill is not to pass without a “majority of the majority.” Boehner’s aides dismiss this criticism, saying Speaker Denny Hastert broke the rule even though it was named after him.
Boehner believes there will be new immigration laws in place by the end of 2013.
Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins.