Rubio, immigration backers gets boost with CBO score

WASHINGTON (AP) — About 8 million immigrants living unlawfully in the United States would initially gain legal status under sweeping legislation moving toward a vote in the Senate, the Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday, adding the bill would push federal deficits lower in each of the next two decades....

Rubio distances self from unnamed aide's perceived slam on American workers

Sen. Marco Rubio today distanced himself from remarks an unnamed aide gave to the New Yorker that some American workers "can't cut it."

The comment, racing across Twitter and blogs and further hurting Rubio among some conservatives, came in the context of the guest worker program in the immigration bill....

Conservative groups seek to win support for immigration reform by simplifying debate

The Senate immigration reform bill is a beast, topping 1,000 pages, giving critics an easy attack. Conservative groups are hoping to cut through the complexity with the release today of a plainly written report: Translating Immigration Reform: A Layman’s Guide.

The guide, prepared by American Action Forum and Hispanic Leadership Network, which includes Jeb Bush and Mario Diaz-Balart as advisory members, goes through the bill by sections and suggests improvements. "Regardless of support for or against reform, it is important to understand the variables surrounding the legislation being debated on the Senate floor," the groups said....

Equality Florida blasts Rubio's 'bigoted' comments on gay issues

Equality Florida issued a sharp rebuke of Sen. Marco Rubio for recent comments on gay issues.

Rubio said last week that if Democrats try to amend the immigration bill with a measure extending rights to gay partners, he will walk away (that wasn't really news, as Rubio has said that in the past, but it provoked strong reactions.) Then a liberal group asked Rubio about the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would protect LGBT people from being fired because of their sexual orientation....

Former Rep. Connie Mack: Told you so on privacy concerns

Fomer Rep. Connie Mack writes for the hometown Fort Myers News-Press about the government spying programs, saying he feels vindicated for criticizing the Patriot Act.

"Under this bi-partisan watch America has been drastically altered. It’s not a transformation that has made us stronger. It has been a determined orchestration of the most fundamental realignment of the relationship between the people and their government since our founding. We are weaker for it....

Jeb Bush says his parents are 'split' on a presidential run

Jeb Bush, appearing on This Week, talks about his father and how there's a "split ballot" among his parents on a 2016 presidential run....

Video: Rubio criticizes Obama on Syria, talks immigration

Sen. Marco Rubio appeared on ABC's Sunday news show and blamed President Obama for inaction on Syria while expressing hesitancy to embrace the immigration bill unless border security is improved. Rubio is working on a plan to insert a border security plan in the bill, which he helped write as a member of the Gang of 8, rather than leave it to the Department of Homeland Security.

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Immigrants are 'more fertile,' Jeb Bush tells Washington crowd

WASHINGTON — Saying "demography is destiny," former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush told a Faith & Freedom Coalition crowd Friday that "more fertile" immigrants are needed to help keep America's population young and to sustain a healthy economy.

"Immigrants create far more businesses than native-born Americans over the last 20 years," Bush said. "Immigrants are more fertile, and they love families, and they have more intact families, and they bring a younger population. Immigrants create an engine of economic prosperity."...

Jeb Bush highlights immigration battle of GOP establishment vs newcomers

WASHINGTON — Former Govs. Haley Barbour and Jeb Bush, the folksy pol from Mississippi and the policy wonk from Florida, sat next to each other Thursday pitching immigration reform as vital for the economic future of an aging country.

"We have to change our policies. They are broken," Bush said. "That is a winning message in conservative America."

Across town, another conservative message is confronting the establishment voices epitomized by Barbour and Bush....

Jeb Bush highlights immigration battle of GOP establishment vs. newcomers

WASHINGTON — Former Govs. Haley Barbour and Jeb Bush, the folksy pol from Mississippi and the policy wonk from Florida, sat next to each other Thursday pitching immigration reform as vital for the economic future of an aging country.

"We have to change our policies. They are broken," Bush said. "That is a winning message in conservative America."

Across town, another conservative message is confronting the establishment voices epitomized by Barbour and Bush....

Florida lawmakers split on NSA surveillance controversy

WASHINGTON — As questions continue to mount over the National Security Agency's surveillance programs, Florida lawmakers are splitting between those who defend the programs as necessary and those worried about an invasion of privacy.

The mixed reaction reflects public opinion and the overall response on Capitol Hill.

"Clearly, a lot of what has happened over the past week raises a lot of questions about whether the intelligence agencies have gone too far in the collection of data," said Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, who sat in a briefing about the program Tuesday with other House members....