Rep. Xavier Becerra, California Democrat and chairman of the Democratic caucus, said Wednesday that Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s primary loss should spur members to act on legislation that constituents support, including immigration reform.
When asked if the Virginia Republican’s loss would stall any hope of passing immigration reform legislation reform in the House, Mr. Becerra said it should spur Congress to act on what the American people want before more members lose their seats for inaction.
“The question on immigration reform is not if we get it done but when we get it done,” he said on MSNBC.
He also said it is a message to Congress to start to work together and get things done in a more general sense.
“Eventually when you do nothing but message bills that don’t become law, people understand and they send you a message, they don’t like it,” he said. “I think that’s what we saw in the seventh district of Virginia.”
Mr. Becerra said the majority leader’s loss was the result of not being involved with the lives of his constituents.
“It likely was a result of being disconnected, somewhat out of touch with the district. At the end of the day people want to see you get stuff done,” he said.
Hosts on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” repeatedly criticized Mr. Cantor for holding a fundraising meeting in D.C. the day of his primary instead of being in his district.
• Jacqueline Klimas can be reached at jklimas@washingtontimes.com.
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