Why are House Republicans backing off immigration reform?

Presidential politics are at play

Photo composite of a GOP elephant walking away from the US border fence
The GOP has been agitating about immigration for years, so why not take the opportunity for progress on the issue?
(Image credit: Illustrated / Getty Images)

House Republicans want a border deal — but not the one on offer.

Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday "voiced skepticism" about an emerging Senate proposal to link Ukraine aid to tougher immigration enforcement, The Hill reported. "I don't think now is the time for comprehensive immigration reform," he told a press conference, "because we know how complicated that is." His comments came amid warnings that a looming budget deadline could actually make the border crisis worse

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Joel Mathis, The Week US

Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.