Rep. Gutierrez slams fellow Dem David Axelrod on immigration

WASHINGTON — Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., slammed fellow Chicago Democrat David Axelrod over immigration from the House floor on Thursday for suggesting in a tweet the day after the election that President Barack Obama should “shelve” executive orders to curb deportations, favoring instead an up-or-down vote in the House.

“David Axelrod, safe in the confines of the University of Chicago, has no sense of urgency because none of his family members or neighbors are facing deportation,” Gutiérrez said, talking about “unhelpful Democrats.” He continued, ”… But it is a little different on my side of Chicago.”

Gutierrez, who has been flirting with a presidential run if Obama does not act, said in his floor speech, “The President will act, as he should. Boldly, broadly and soon to help the country. And when he acts, tens of millions of our fellow American citizens will support him. Why? Because they care more about justice and practicality than they do about partisan politics and the blame game. … “I am tired of the manufactured excuses for inaction. The U.S. Congress can still debate, vote and pass any immigration law it wants to and the best way to get something done will be if leaders on both sides work together. If you don’t like it, do something! There is nothing in your way but yourselves.”