Rubio says Senate immigration bill has 'shortcomings'

WASHINGTON, May 3 (UPI) -- Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said in a Wall Street Journal commentary Friday the Senate's immigration reform bill has "shortcomings" that "need to be addressed."

His op-ed piece said the bill, which he helped negotiate, is a "solid starting point" but is in need of revisions to reflect the "constructive criticism" it has received.

"Public scrutiny has helped identify shortcomings and unintended consequences that need to be addressed," he wrote.

He mentioned a strengthening of border security issues and the cost of immigration to American taxpayers, saying a review of the bill offers the opportunity to make appropriate changes.

Rubio has been attempting to sell the bill to skeptical conservatives, but many on the right are unhappy with it, and the backlash against it is growing, the Washington newspaper The Hill said Friday.