Bipartisan immigration reform is possible with compromise

On June 27, 2013 the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan immigration reform bill by a veto-proof 68-32 margin. With a bipartisan House of Representatives majority in favor and President Obama’s signature assured, the bill was destined to become law until the Republican House leadership, including our own Cathy McMorris Rodgers, violated majority rule by not allowing a vote of the full House.

The bill included a nationwide employment eligibility verification system (E-Verify) and stricter border control, along with a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants, an innovative temporar...