Reid vows to 'do everything' in his power to pass immigration reform

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) pledged Monday that he would do everything in his power to pass an immigration reform bill during this Congress.

“As Majority Leader I will do everything in my power to get a bill across the finish line,” Reid said on the Senate floor Monday.

Reid highlighted a bipartisan deal negotiated by senators, which was being announced later Monday. The deal would create a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already living in the United States, increase the immigration of skilled workers, implement an employer verification program and create a guest-worker program. President Obama is also expected to announce an immigration plan on Tuesday.

“There is no reason we should not pass comprehensive immigration reform immediately,” Reid said. “I hope we’ll soon have a bill to send through the committee process and bring a bill to the floor for a vote.”

Republican Sens. Marco Rubio (Fla.) and John McCain (Ariz.) have been working with Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin (Ill.) and Charles Schumer (N.Y.) to come up with the comprehensive deal. Reid said he was glad to see Republicans have decided to work with Democrats on comprehensive immigration reform.

“Republicans have been unwilling to work to find common ground," Reid said. "I’m glad to see that has changed, rather than just complaining that the system is broken.”

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