Bush says 'no Republican would vote for legislation that stifled economic growth.' Jeb Bush's message for House GOP

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is calling on House Republicans to pass immigration reform, but acknowledges it won’t be easy.

In an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, Bush and co-author Clint Bolick, of the Goldwater Institute, argue that getting enough Republicans’ support in the House “is a tall order. But it is one to which House Republicans should respond.”


“No Republican would vote for legislation that stifled economic growth, promoted illegal immigration, added to the welfare rolls, and failed to ensure a secure border. Yet they essentially will do just that if they fail to pass comprehensive immigration reform — and leave in place a system that does all of those things,” Bush and Bolick wrote in the piece posted on Sunday.

( PHOTOS: 20 quotes on immigration reform)

The pair praise much of the Senate bill, but note the House can make some improvements, as well.

“Republicans have much in common with immigrants — beliefs in hard work, enterprise, family, education, patriotism and faith. But for their voice to penetrate the gateway, Republicans need to cease being the obstacle to immigration reform and instead point the way toward the solution,” they write.