McCain, Schumer: Obama Supports Immigration Reform Bill

WASHINGTON - Senators John McCain, R-Ariz., and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., emerged from a White House meeting today confident that President Obama supports the immigration reform bill they plan to introduce tonight.

"While he certainly might not agree with every single part of it, he was very supportive of the bill we have put together and simply wants to make sure we keep moving it along and get something done," Schumer told reporters at the White House.

"No one's going to get everything they want in a bill," he continued. "But if we meet in the middle, we can do a lot of good for America."

The bill would create a pathway to citizenship for the roughly 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, but only after steps are taken to increase border security.

McCain said that, unlike previous reform efforts, this legislation has widespread support.

"All major players that are involved in this issue are now on-board, literally every major player, whether it be business or labor," he said.

Shortly after their meeting, the president issued a statement urging the Senate to move quickly on the legislation.

"This bill is clearly a compromise, and no one will get everything they wanted, including me," he said. "But it is largely consistent with the principles that I have repeatedly laid out for comprehensive reform. "

The senators had planned to introduce the bill during a press conference today, but delayed it "out of respect" for the people of Boston, Schumer said.