Californian is second Democrat to say budget package must include immigration reform

California Rep. Lou Correa (D) has become the second House Democrat to say he will not vote for a budget reconciliation package unless Democrats include immigration reform provisions within it. 

“We must implement ‘common sense’ immigration reform to assure that these hard-working taxpayers are fully integrated into our economy. Our full economic recovery needs a strong workforce and a strong base of taxpayers,”  Correa said in a statement on Sunday.

“I will not support any budget reconciliation deal that continues to leave hard-working undocumented taxpayers in limbo. Anything less would be fiscally irresponsible.” 

Every year, we hear immigration reform is coming, & every year something stops it from happening.

After decades of inaction, it is critical that we take action to keep our Nation’s economy strong.

We must pass immigration reform—now!

Read morehttps://t.co/QFhiH3ZxUF

— Rep. Lou Correa (@RepLouCorrea) July 25, 2021

Rep. Jesús García (D-Ill.) was the first Democrat to say he would not back the budget package unless it included immigration reform, The Hill first reported.

Democrats have a slim majority in the House, and they cannot afford more than a handful of defections, giving each lawmaker leverage on the final package.

Democrats are exploring including immigration provisions in the package, though it is not clear they will meet Senate rules for what can be included in budget reconciliation. 

Earlier this year, the Senate parliamentarian ruled out including a $15 federal minimum wage in a similar bill.

The rules allow the package to avoid a filibuster, meaning Republicans cannot block the package if Democrats can stay unified around it.