AP
John Boehner, Eric Cantor
FILE – In this April 16, 2013 file photo House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va., left, accompanied by House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, speaks during a House Republican Leadership news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Republicans want to give employees who work more than 40 hours a week the option of taking paid time off instead of overtime pay; the option already exists in the public sector. The legislation is part of a broader Republican agenda undertaken by House Majority Leader Cantor to expand the party's political appeal to working families. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
There would seem to be little reason for folks in Southwest Florida to care about U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, the House Majority Leader, losing his primary last night. But if you care about immigration reform (either in the pro or anti column), this is a big deal.
There was already a minuscule window of hope for any serious legislation to get through the House as it was, but losing the second highest-ranking member to openly support plans—Cantor had supported a GOP version of the DREAM Act and was seen as someone open to bringing the issue forward—pretty much closes it. Especially since Cantor’s opponent—economics professor Dave Brat—ran his campaign in large part as a statement against immigration bills in play.
That’s a huge blow for Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, the Miami Republican whose district includes Eastern Collier County. He’s been one of the architects for a bipartisan proposal that has been slowly gathering steam in Congress. Just last week, Diaz-Balart told Roll Call that he thought immigration reform was gaining momentum.
But with Cantor a lame duck, and likely without any juice, it seems the window closed before the summer even started.