Reid revives immigration issue

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic floor leader, said last week he was getting ready to lead the Senate back into the politically risky waters of immigration.

At the end of his remarks before an Asian-American and Pacific Islander Summit in D.C., Reid said, “Finally, we will again pursue comprehensive immigration reform that respects both our nation’s laws and the people from all nations who want to live in America, work hard and pay their fair share of taxes. And it is critical that we bring families together by cutting down on the long waits for prospective immigrants trying to join their immediate family members in the United States. I am committed to reforming our system in a way that is tough, fair and practical.”

He was immediately faced with skepticism and outright hostility. Though the senator was vague on details, one website promptly posted the headline, “Why Does Reid Want to Ram Immigration Amnesty Through Senate?”

More seriously, GOP Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia questioned whether Congress has time to deal with immigration this year when it already has health care reform and 13 appropriations bills on its plate: “I don’t see how, from a time perspective, where they can have a floor debate on immigration. We haven’t even had any hearings this year on it.”