Latino Lawmakers vs. John Kelly

Tensions between the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and WH Chief of Staff John Kelly are surfacing again as Congress is poised for a year-end fight over whether to enact permanent legal protections for hundreds of thousands of "Dreamers." WaPo reports that Kelly is expected to be a key player in the upcoming negotiations, which have become intertwined with the need to pass a spending bill next month to keep the government from shutting down. Hispanic Caucus members are among the Democrats pushing most aggressively to withhold needed votes for the funding measure until a deal is solidified on the future of dreamers. Earlier this year, CHC members described him during public hearings and private meetings as patronizing, disingenuous and unwilling to concede facts when confronted with what they say was evidence that immigration officers may be overstepping bounds. "A four-star general doesn’t have very many people who are going to challenge him," said Congressman Joaquín Castro (D-TX). "You could tell it was unusual for him to be challenged by people." During one meeting, Kelly said that "Dreamers" were "good kids, I support them," Congresswoman Nanette Díaz Barragán (D-CA) recalled. But when she asked if he would support their legislation, "He stood there in complete silence," she said, before telling the group, "I’m unaware of any such legislation." Dems in the room gasped and at least one member shouted, "Are you serious?" Congressman Rubén Gallego (D-AZ) said, "We warned people. We people of color usually catch onto this stuff before anyone else." More here.