Obama: House has votes to pass immigration reform

Post date: Nov 06, 2013 5:15:58 PM

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57610933/obama-house-has-votes-to-pass-immigration-reform/

In a meeting with business leaders to discuss immigration reform, President Obama predicted that there are enough votes in the House to pass the contentious issue.

"Although right now there's been some resistance from House Republicans, what's been encouraging is that there are a number of House Republicans who have said we think this is the right thing to do as well," Mr. Obama said Tuesday at the White House. "It's my estimation that we actually have the votes to get comprehensive immigration reform done in the House right now. The politics are challenging for [Speaker Boehner] and others, and we want to make it as easy for them as possible. This is not an issue where we're looking for a political win, this is one where we're looking for a substantive win for the U.S. economy and the American people and the businesses that are represented here."

Mr. Obama met with CEOs from Evercore Partners, Motorola Solutions, Deloitte, Lockheed Martin, State Farm, Marriott, Blackstone and McDonalds to discuss ways to move forward on immigration reform. Business leaders have been part of a coalition that includes labor, faith, high-tech and agriculture leaders to push for legislation.