Retiring Rep. Gutierrez urges Dems to pay ‘ransom’ for immigration reform
By Tal Axelrod - 12/29/18 05:40 PM EST
Outgoing Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), an outspoken advocate for immigration reform, urged Democrats to pay whatever “ransom†necessary to make progress on the hot button issue.
“For my friends on the left, remember, there’s going to be a ransom that is going to be required,†Gutiérrez told NBC News in an interview published Friday. “Pay it. It’s the right thing to do, because we’re never going to be able to overcome the 60 votes in the Senate.â€
“There are people on the right that are going to want certain things,†he added. “I don’t know if we have to give them a wall … but we’re gonna have to sit down and negotiate.â€
The comments come as Democrats seek to move forward a variety of legislative priorities, including immigration, when they take control of the House of Representatives next month. Near the top of the list is formulating a bill that would protect the nation’s DREAMers, immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as minors.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/house/423203-retiring-rep-gutierrez-urges-dems-to-pay-ransom-for-immigration-reform