House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, shut down speculation that he could thwart conservatives in the House and push through immigration reform by banding together with Democrats, reportedly saying that he has "no intention" of pursuing a bill that doesn't have majority Republican support.
“I have no intention of putting a bill on the floor that will violate the principles of our majority and divide our conference,” Boehner said, according to GOP aides, the Washington Post reports. “One of our principles is border security. I have no intention of putting a bill on the floor that the people in this room do not believe secures our borders. It’s not gonna happen.”
From the Post:
The comments came as some of the most conservative GOP lawmakers and well-financed outside conservative groups are seeking to change internal House GOP rules that would block legislation from the House floor that does not have “majority-of-the-majority” support.
Boehner (R-Ohio) acknowledged Tuesday that the so-called “Hastert Rule” — named after the former House speaker — was violated this year when the House voted to approve the “fiscal cliff” spending deal and federal funding for communities ravaged by Hurricane Sandy, according to senior GOP aides familiar with his comments.
But, according to Politico, he told Republicans: “Immigration is not one of these scenarios. We have plenty of leverage."
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