President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama visit with individuals who are taking part in Fast for Families on the National Mall in Washington, Friday, Nov. 29, 2013. Obama met with the group who are fasting on behalf of immigration reform. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama visited Fast For Families on the national mall on Friday, a group of faith, civil rights leaders, and immigrants gathered to pressure the House of Representatives to take up immigration reform.
“Since Nov. 12, immigration activists comprising Fast For Families have abstained from all food except water and are calling for the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives to take up action on comprehensive immigration reform,” a White House official said. Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Labor Tom Perez, Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, Director of the Domestic Policy Council Cecilia Muñoz and Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett have also visited Fast For Families in recent weeks.”
Over 4,000 people nationwide have already fasted in solidarity with Fast for Families.
House Republicans claim they don’t have time to consider immigration reform this year, but insist that the issue is not “dead.” House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) told CBS’ Face The Nation that members will consider reform on a piece-by-piece basis but did not provide any timeline for action. Earlier this month, Obama said he would accept piecemeal reforms to the immigration system.
This article originally appeared in ThinkProgressive.