Arizona Rep. Ed Pastor has high hopes for immigration bill

PHOENIX — Arizona Democratic Congressman Ed Pastor is giving the bipartisan Senate Judiciary Committee’s immigration reform plan high marks.

The Gang of 8, which includes Arizona Republican Sens. JOhn McCain and Jeff Flake, has sent its immigration overhaul plan to the full Senate, where it will be heard this month.

Pastor, of Phoenix, believes it will pass the Senate before reaching the House in July.

“I like what I see so far. Yes I do,” Pastor said. “It was a great plan to begin with. I’m glad the president supports it. I think it will do well in the Senate.”

Pastor won’t speculate on the chances of immigration reform surviving the House. Pastor believed the House could craft its own immigration bill and possibly incorporate the Senate bill.