Republican Congressman Steve King is among a group holding a six-hour-long press conference today in Washington, D.C. to insist on securing the southern border before any reform of the immigration system.
King is one of what’s been dubbed the “Gang of 70” in the U.S. House who’ve lined up in opposition to the immigration reform plan being touted by the “Gang of Eight” in the U.S. Senate.
According to King, it’s “dumb” not to realize a fence is needed all across the U.S. border with Mexico. During a recent interview with Glenn Beck, King said a “horse high, hog tight and bull strong” fence like Iowa farmers build would keep people on the right side of the border.
King has long opposed what he calls “amnesty” for “law-breakers” who came into the country illegally. King said it’s time for opponents to “stand their ground now” to ensure immigration reform is never considered in the U.S. House. King hinted there may be retribution from House Republican leaders against him and the other Republicans who oppose immigration reform.
King billed today’s event as the “longest press conference in the history of the U.S. congress” to make the argument against immigration reform. It began at 8 a.m. Iowa time. There will be a two-hour break over midday and then the event will resume at one o’clock Iowa time for another three hours. King had hoped the event would get carried by C-SPAN, FOX News and other networks, but it’s losing out to President Obama’s speech in Germany as well as a Tea Party rally against the IRS for airtime.