A four-pillar solution that addresses border security, chain migration, ends the visa lottery program and fixes DACA (the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program) is the most likely to get the most support and get through the Senate and be signed by President Donald Trump, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers said Thursday.
"Our goal is to fulfill the president's promises, the four-pillar solution, border security, addressing chain migration, ending the Visa lottery program and a DACA fix," the Washington Republican told Fox News' "America's Newsroom."
"That's what we've presented and we're working through it now with a plan to vote today on both the Goodlatte bill as well as the four-pillar bill that is being put forward."
The four-pillar bill does not guarantee citizenship, she added, but it does provide for a merit-based visa, which the nation's Dreamers could apply for and earn, said McMorris Rodgers.
"It is a way for them to get right with the law," she said. "They could get a legal permanent status that would be renewed every six years and get in line like anyone else eventually to get citizenship."
The lawmaker said she believes anything on immigration is a step in the right direction, even though she does favor the four-pillar solution.
The winning bill must get 218 votes to pass, McMorris Rodgers added, and "we're working hard to get there. We're not there yet, but we're working on it."
Meanwhile, there is a six-month anniversary coming at the end of the week for the passage or the sweeping jobs and tax reform bill, but at this point, the focus must be on immigration, she said.
"America wants that solution, the president wants that solution, we need that solution," said McMorris Rodgers.
"I do believe that America also should be celebrating the impact of the tax cuts and jobs act on our economy. Our economy is booming right now and it has brought back an optimism and hope to everyone that is really exciting to see."
However, she added, "when you ask an American are you better off today than you were two years ago, we were asking where are the jobs? Today we're asking where are the workers?
"We have more job openings today in America than people on unemployment. This is a good problem to have. I'm most excited it is bringing an optimism and restoring people's hope again and the opportunity for a better life."