– Immigration stand hurt Cantor –
Brat’s victory dramatically reduces the likelihood that Congress passes immigration reform this year. The Senate passed a sweeping bipartisan immigration bill one year ago but many House Republicans said its pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants was a form of “amnesty.”
Cantor had backed legislation that would have allowed the children of illegal immigrants to stay and become US nationals, but Brat attacked the position.
Brat’s victory “clearly means congressional action on comprehensive immigration reform is dead,” Republican strategist Brad Marston told AFP.
“It’s the most symbolic issue that captures the differences between myself and Eric Cantor in this race” Brat stressed on Fox.
The Tea Party concurred.
“Dave Brat won tonight in Virginia because he effectively harnessed the outrage at Washington over the policies that have not been representative of the people including the prospect of amnesty for illegal immigrants, and focused it on one political leader – the Republican who’s been pushing for amnesty harder than anyone else in the House GOP Leadership,” said Tea Party Patriots Chairman Jenny Beth Martin.
House speaker John Boehner expressed sympathy for Cantor.
“Eric Cantor and I have been through a lot together. He’s a good friend and a great leader, and someone I’ve come to rely upon on a daily basis as we make the tough choices that come with governing. My thoughts are with him and Diana and their kids tonight,” Boehner said.
Meanwhile, one of the Republican sponsors of the Senate immigration bill, Senator Lindsey Graham, easily won his South Carolina primary Tuesday over several GOP challengers.
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