Even though the newly elected Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has supported immigration reform in the past, the Obama administration did not appear confident that he will help them pass any immigration reform.
Speaking to reporters this afternoon, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said that he shared a “deep level of disappointment” in Ryan’s assertion that he would not pursue immigration reform as the new Speaker of the House.
According to National Review, Ryan agreed to a letter promising not to bring immigration reform to the House during the remainder of President Obama’s presidency.
Earnest derided Republicans for continuing to block immigration reform under Speaker Boehner, but added that he wasn’t surprised that Ryan made a similar promise to members of his caucus.
“I don’t know that there’s anyone around here that’s surprised by this recent declaration from Speaker Ryan, but it certainly continues to be a source of deep disappointment,” he said.