WASHINGTON, April 14 (UPI) -- Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., said the Republican base has "unfortunate" elements of racism.
"To a significant extent, the Republican base has elements that are animated by racism, and that's unfortunate," said Israel to CNN on Sunday about the lack of progress on immigration reform.
This is the second time in just as many weeks that the Republicans have been accused of racism by Democratic leadership. Just last week House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said during her weekly press conference, "I think race has something to do with the fact that they’re not bringing up an immigration bill. I’ve heard them say to the Irish, 'If it were just you, this would be easy.'"
Attorney General Eric Holder questioned whether race had to do with his treatment as he testified in front of the House judiciary committee.
Congressional Republicans have refused to bring immigration to the floor for consideration unless Democrats agree on a piecemeal approach rather than a comprehensive package.
[HuffPost Live]
