House Republican leaders have backed away from plans to hold an immigration vote before the August recess, Politico is reporting.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. had personally assured several members a vote on a new guest-worker program for farmers. His assurance had been backed by House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., Politico reported.
The guest worker program permits companies to legally hire foreigners, particularly in the agriculture, construction and service industries.
The promise of a vote on the program had convinced Reps. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., and Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., not to sign on to a bid to force a vote creating a pathway to citizenship for immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children.
GOP leaders had been trying to stop the discharge petition, which eventually fell two signatures short.
But Republican leaders now have no plans to take up the guest-worker program before the break, Politico is reporting. The website attributed its information to four sources in leadership.
"That was not the deal; the deal was that we're taking it up regardless," Ross said. "There are those of us (who) need to go back (home) and show that we’re doing all we can to do what we said we would do. And if it fails, it fails."
Now, the move puts McCarthy is an awkward position as he looks to become the next speaker, Politico reported. As he attempts to line up support from members, a broken promise could alienate some lawmakers, the website said.
Meanwhile, Politico reports some members have asked McCarthy for more time on the bill because they don’t want it to fail. And after meeting with McCarthy on Monday night, Ross, who still appeared upset, was more open to delaying the vote.
"We have every intention of voting on this," McCarthy's spokesman Matt Sparks. "After discussions between leadership and a broad coalition of members it was decided more work needs to be done and should be done to gather the support necessary to pass the legislation.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.