Barack Obama Praises Senate Immigration Reform Bill in Jacksonville

Speaking in Jacksonville on Thursday, President Barack Obama had warm words for the immigration reform bill that passed the Senate last month.

Calling it a strong immigration bill, Obama insisted the Gang of Eights bill will help the economy, but played down its chances in the Republican-controlled House. Obama said House Republicans would not give it a vote.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., was one of the leading champions of the bill drawing the fire from some conservatives. Rubio is expected to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.