Steve King: The GOP’s Immigration Spokesman and Leader

A year ago today, Speaker Boehner and House Republicans made Rep. Steve King their effective party spokesman and leader on immigration – allowing the Congressman to pass his first draconian, anti-immigrant measure, a bill that risks the lives of DREAMers and outraged the public. Since then, the House Republican leadership has made it clear: "on immigration, the GOP is Steve King's party," and Speaker Boehner and Leader Cantor are just along for the ride. Take a look at the "action" House Republicans have taken on the issue:

• Abandoned their "immigration standards;"
• Passed two other bills on the House floor that jeopardize the lives of DREAMers;
• Approved 4additionalanti-immigrant measures out of the House Judiciary Committee;
• Approved another one of Steve King's anti-immigrant measures just last month;
• And, most recently, left out any mention of immigration reform in their June legislative agenda.

All the while, they continue to ignore:

• The overwhelming support CIR has across the country – and across party lines;
• The evangelical and religious organizations fighting for its passage;
• The veteran and agriculture groups urging immediate action;
• The hundreds of business groups advocating for reform;
• The editorial boards stressing the urgency of the issue;
• The enormous deficit reduction CIR will deliver.

House Republicans' lip service and tired excuses are being felt in every corner of the nation: their failure to act is tearing apart families and weakening our economy.

Time is of the essence. Our broken immigration system is not fixing itself, and things are only getting worse. The American people are demanding serious and bipartisan action from their leaders – when will House Republicans start listening?