Marco Rubio Gives Conservatives Cover on Immigration Reform

Appearing on Hugh Hewitts radio show on Thursday, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said he is looking to give conservative cover to Republicans who are considering voting for his immigration reform bill -- and that ramping up border security was the way to sell this bill to his fellow Republicans.

Speaking to guess host Ed Morrisey, Rubio said increased border security would help the measure pass the Republican-controlled House and bring over fellow Republicans in the Senate.

I dont think without it itll have the 60 votes to pass the Senate, much less the House, Rubio said. Ive said that repeatedly now for weeks. I think youll see something, God willing, early next week so people can start to look at it. A bunch of senators have been working on it. A lot of Republicans want to be supportive of something, but need to be able to go back home and tell people that they have taken serious steps to make sure this never happens again. Like I said, it is going to have to happen. It is going to have to be in there or this is not going to pass.