Politics

If immigration bill includes gay couple amendment- 'I'm done' says GOP Senator

By Brody Levesque | WASHINGTON -- A key supporter and co-author of the immigration bill currently pending in the Senate said Thursday he will revoke his support if an amendment is added that allows American partners gay to claim foreign same-sex partners as spouses.

Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio told Fox pundit and conservative radio host Andrea Tantaros, "If this bill has something in it that gives gay couples immigration rights and so forth, it kills the bill. I'm done." Rbio added "I'm off it, and I've said that repeatedly. I don't think that's going to happen and it shouldn't happen. This is already a difficult enough issue as it is."

U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Tuesday filed an amendment to a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would extend immigration benefits to foreign-born, gay partners of American citizens. The amendment would enable married, bi-national same-sex couples to apply for a visa through the marriage-based green card application process.

Leahy had previously withdrawn the measure after after the White House and other Democrats privately urged him to hold off under Republicans’ threats to withdraw their support of the immigration bill over the gay rights issue.

Opponents of Leahy's amendment have said repeatedly that his proposal would cause some key groups to withdraw their support and kill the bill. Rubio's exit would be especially devastating to its survival.

The Senate is expected to vote on Leahy's amendment soon.

Rubio also told Tantaros that the bill as currently written has "no chance" of passing.

"If the border situation is not improved in this bill, this bill won't pass," he said. "It won't pass the Senate and it has no chance in the House. It won't become a law and we're wasting our time."