The Arizona Capitol Times interviews Jeff Flake about the repercussions of the Senate’s recent failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform:
What are the chances for the bill you’re cosponsoring, the STRIVE Act, now that the Senate bill is dead? Does your bill have a prayer of passage?
Not a prayer. No, I just don’t see the Democrats wanting to take it up. I mean with the Senate bill dead I just don’t think there’s going to be any serious comprehensive legislation to move. There may be some political statement legislation or some single elements go through…maybe [agriculture] jobs or something, but I just don’t see comprehensive reform moving at all.
So is there anything going on behind the scenes with your bill?
Nope. Frankly, no. We were having pretty regular meetings before the Senate bill collapsed to try to see what we could do here in the House, but….
It kind of took the wind out of your sails, huh?
Oh, yeah, definitely. I just don’t see anybody seriously considering it now.