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Congressman John Yarmuth Optimistic on Immigration Reform

Appearing on MSNBC Wednesday, Congressman John Yarmuth, D-Ky., says he is optimistic comprehensive immigration reform will pass in Congress this year despite an undertone of setbacks.The "gang of eight" in the Senate are trying to gain a super-majority as Democrats and Republicans continue to negotiate. Among the issues being hashed out are provisions dealing with a pathway to citizenship that are linked to tighter enforcement of the U.S. borders.Recently, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. warned that conservatives would be pulling back from the planif stricter rules to protect borders are not added to the bill.But Yarmuth, who is part of a bipartisan "gang of eight" in the House, says lawmakers remains motivated to pass an overhaul of the immigration system due to an unprecedented group of diverse interests.Watch:Yarmuth acknowledged the House version will be more considerably more conservative than whatever the Democratic-controlled Senate passes. The GOP-controlled House would be staunchly against any legislation that would be seen as amnesty for illegal immigration.Last month, Congressman John Carter, R-Tx., another "gang of eight" member, said as much.From The Huffington Post: Carter (R-Texas)...said Monday that his group's plan will have a tougher path to citizenship than the Senate "gang of eight" legislation -- which he said could be defined as "amnesty." "It's not as easy as the Senate side, [but] it's not as bad as anybody might think it is," Carter said of the House group's bill at a discussion hosted by the National Immigration Forum and the Texas Tribune, in conjunction with the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "It has compassion. It allows people to be human beings, to live a normal life, to have a job, to take care of their family, to pay their taxes, to obey the law and go about their lives."The House group has been meeting in secret, and negotiations have been keep quiet for the most part.