Obama Lauds Rubio for His Work on Immigration

President Barack Obama complimented Sen. Marco Rubio for his work on immigration reform on NBC's “Today” program Wednesday.

“I think that he has been a very positive force, as have all the senators who’ve been involved,” Obama said in the interview, according to Politico.

The Florida Republican is a member of the bipartisan Group of Eight senators who released an immigration reform bill Wednesday. The plan includes a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants and border security provisions.

“I think that you’ve seen great work on a bipartisan basis between Democratic and Republican senators,” the president said.

“So if you take that package together — one that’s supported by labor, that’s supported by business, that’s supported by advocacy groups, that’s supported by evangelical Christian groups — this is about as broad-based a coalition as you’re gonna get.”

Obama said he’s “confident” of achieving an immigration deal.

“My hope is not only that we . . . end up with an immigration bill that shows that we’re a nation of laws and a nation of citizens, that helps our economic growth, that helps us attract incredible talent to our shores,” he said.

“But I also hope that it kind of re-starts muscle memory in Congress for getting bipartisan legislation done.”