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House Will Have Its Own Take On Immigration Reform Legislation, Says Congressional Republicans

Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown (L) and Republican Senator Rob Portman, both of Ohio (pics by Brian Bull)
Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown (L) and Republican Senator Rob Portman, both of Ohio (pics by Brian Bull)

House Speaker John Boehner and other conservative Republicans have already voiced their opposition to the current version, some saying it falls short on border security, others saying it gives amnesty for people who are living in the U.S. illegally.

Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown voted for the measure, although he says it doesn't meet all his expectations. He had wanted a provision that would require employers to try to hire U.S. citizens before turning to foreign workers. But he voted for it anyway, and says Boehner has to answer one question:

"Is he Speaker of the House of Representatives, or is he speaker of his own party? Because there's obviously lots of opposition within the Republican Party to any kind of immigration reform, but we passed I think a good, strong, bipartisan bill in the Senate."

Ohio's junior senator, Republican Rob Portman, voted against the immigration bill, saying didn't go far enough to force employers to verify the legal status of workers. He claimed that Democrats blocked a vote on his amendment.

In the House, Speaker Boehner says any immigration reform bills need to have support from the majority of Republicans…which may mean a long, divisive road ahead for the legislation.