Flake expects role in immigration reform talks next year

By Alexander Bolton - 11/13/12 12:47 PM ET

Sen.-elect Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) told reporters Tuesday that he expects to play a role in immigration reform talks next year.

“Expect to be,” Flake told reporters while walking to Sen. Jon Kyl’s (R-Ariz.) whip office.

Flake, along with Sen.-elect Ted Cruz (R) of Texas and freshman Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), is expected to make up the core of any Republican group supporting bipartisan Senate immigration reform next year.

Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) will also play important roles. Graham has restarted talks with Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on a framework for reform.

Republican Party strategists say the party needs to improve its performance with Hispanic voters and persistent conservative opposition to comprehensive immigration reform has been a sore point with this crucial electoral bloc.

President Obama has said passing immigration reform would be a priority in 2013 and last week House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) signaled support for addressing the issue, saying that a “comprehensive approach” was “long overdue.”