Congress to tackle immigration in new year

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U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) speaks on day four of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at Invesco Field at Mile High August 28, 2008 in Denver, Colorado.

The House of Representatives has already passed bills on climate change and health care and is ready for its next big challenge: immigration reform.

Immigration activists were asked to be patient, to wait until Congress tackled health care and climate change. But Congressman Luis Gutierrez now says “the time for waiting is over.”

On Tuesday, the Democrat from Illinois will introduce a comprehensive immigration reform bill. The measure is expected to tackle border security, family reunification, and worker protection.

Immigration is a hot topic for both the left and the right. GOP Congressman Joe Wilson was so upset about the issue that he called the President a “liar” on the House floor when Mr. Obama said illegal immigrants wouldn’t be covered by the health care plan.

Congressman Gutierrez says he’s introducing the immigration reform bill before the holiday recess so there’s “no excuse” for Congressional inaction in the New Year.