Ryan backs Rubio immigration plan

Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan said Monday he backed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's immigration reform push, giving a boost to his potential 2016 rival's efforts on the hot-button issue.

"Senator Rubio is exactly right on the need to fix our broken immigration system. I support the principles he’s outlined: modernization of our immigration laws; stronger security to curb illegal immigration; and respect for the rule of law in addressing the complex challenge of the undocumented population. Our future depends on an immigration system that works," the 2012 vice presidential nominee and Wisconsin lawmaker wrote Monday on his Facebook page.

Rubio has not introduced an immigration bill yet, so it remains to be seen whether the two possible presidential opponents agree when legislation starts to move. But Ryan's comments come after Rubio and Ryan split over the fiscal cliff deal, with the senator opposing it and Ryan backing the measure.



Manu Raju is senior congressional reporter for Politico.