House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy believes a bipartisan deal to shield young immigrants from deportation could hurt Republicans in November, according to Politico.
"If you want to depress [GOP voter] intensity, this is the No. 1 way to do it," the California Republican told colleagues in a closed meeting on Wednesday, the news outlet reported late Thursday.
McCarthy's stance has set him apart from House Speaker Paul Ryan, the Wisconsin Republican whom McCarthy wants to succeed as the top House Republican. Ryan wants to pass protections for the young undocumented immigrants before he leaves Congress at the end of his term in January, Politico said. McCarthy in part faces a tough political dynamic because he could need conservatives' support to win a bid for speaker.
Republicans aim to hold on to their House majority in November's midterm elections. Democrats need to gain 23 seats to take control of the chamber.
Spokespeople for both McCarthy and Ryan did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Both men have opposed an effort by centrist House Republicans to force a vote on immigration. Twenty House Republicans have signed a so-called discharge petition, which would require a series of immigration votes if several more Republicans and all Democrats get behind it. Democrats are expected to support the effort.
Ryan and McCarthy met with President Donald Trump this week, and Ryan floated the idea of reopening negotiations on an immigration deal, Politico reported, citing several sources briefed on the meeting. Bipartisan negotiations flamed out earlier this year as Trump and conservative Republicans could not find common ground with Democrats and moderate GOP lawmakers on several demands. Democrats accused Trump of shifting in his demands throughout the talks.
Trump did not appear interested in starting up talks again when he met with Ryan and McCarthy, according to Politico.
Republican leaders are telling lawmakers who support the effort to force an immigration vote that they will bring immigration bills to the House floor next month, Politico separately reported.