Obama visits protesters fasting in support of immigration reform

Jason Cannon
Unit 5
11/29/13

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/11/29/obama-visits-protesters-fasting-in-support-of-immigration-reform/

Synopsis: 

President Obama visited a group that was fasting for immigration reform.  This group has only been drinking water to try to get congress to pass immigration reforms.  A few months ago, the Senate passed a reform bill that would make it possible for current undocumented immigrants to become citizens as well as strengthen the border security.  Obama has since strongly supported immigration reform.  He said in a California speech, "I want them to know we hear you.  We're with you.  The whole country hears you."  The House Speaker will probably bring up the reform bill in separate parts.

Detailed Analysis/Comments:

This situation shows the power of interest groups in our government.  The fact that Obama went and visited this group shows that they are powerful.  Although these groups may not seem to have a great influence on the government, they do influence it.  Sometimes they influence the government indirectly by drawing national attention to an issue.  The more that media covers this fasting group, the more the people will become involved.  When the country is involved, the government has a hard time avoiding the issue.  I think that although this interest group seems insignificant, they could have an influence on the House of Representatives.

In the article, it mentions that there are members of the House of Representatives that will not vote for this bill.  I think it will be hard for the bill to pass the House because of the way party ideology stands in the way on this issue.  The power of the party is prevalent in Congress and influences the members greatly, especially in the House where the terms are much shorter. 

It was interesting that John Boehner, the House Speaker, mentioned bringing up parts of the bill separately.  This shows the power of the Speaker of the House in determining the business of the House as well as how that business is presented.  I think that this will have a negative effect on the reform.  If he splits the bill into the border element and the current illegal immigrant element, I think the House will vote to strengthen the borders but will deny the part about allowing undocumented immigrants to gain citizenship.  I think that the Senate bill seems reasonable.