House Speaker Mike Johnson is considering a vote on birth tourism legislation as conservative Republicans press leadership for action after last month’s failed push to advance a broader immigration package.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
House Speaker Mike Johnson is considering bringing legislation to the floor that would target birth tourism as he works to contain a widening dispute among House Republicans over immigration policy.
Johnson, R-La., is exploring a bill that would seek to end the ability of pregnant women to legally enter the United States for the purpose of securing citizenship for their children, Politico reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with private discussions.
The proposal is being discussed after conservative Republicans increased pressure on leadership following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling against the Trump administration’s effort to curb birthright citizenship. Conservatives have demanded votes on legislation aimed at tightening both legal and illegal immigration.
Any House vote on birth tourism would likely be symbolic because the measure is not expected to advance in the Senate, where most legislation needs 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. Still, the proposal could give Johnson a way to show movement on immigration while trying to keep his narrow Republican majority aligned.
The current dispute stems from a commitment Johnson made last month to conservative lawmakers. In exchange for their support for a narrower immigration enforcement funding bill, Johnson promised that the House would vote before July 4 on legislation codifying President Donald Trump’s border security priorities.
Conservatives now say the speaker did not meet that commitment. Their anger led to a rebellion that stalled House business and forced Republican leaders to send lawmakers home early for the Independence Day recess.
The conflict could resume when the House returns next week unless GOP leaders can reach agreement on an immigration package.
Johnson’s challenge is not limited to conservatives. Some moderate Republicans have shown openness to legislation aimed at birth tourism, according to people familiar with the talks, while others are wary of taking politically charged immigration votes before the midterm elections.
Republicans from agriculture-heavy districts are also pressing leadership to include changes to the seasonal farm worker visa program in any immigration package. That demand is expected to face strong resistance from conservatives.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., acknowledged last week that Republicans had not reached agreement on the broader immigration plan.
As of Tuesday, lawmakers involved in the negotiations said GOP leaders had not settled on a strategy, leaving Johnson to search for an approach that can satisfy conservatives calling for immediate immigration action while avoiding new fractures inside the conference.
Original article
Comments