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The GOP shouldnt even field a presidential candidate in 2016 unless Congress passes immigration reform this year, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue said Monday.

If the Republicans dont do it, they shouldnt bother to run a candidate in 2016, Donohue joked at an event on infrastructure investment in D.C. Think about that. Think about who the voters are. I just did that to get everybodys attention.

Republicans have focused on an immigration overhaul as a way to woo Hispanic voters, who have increasingly drifted to Democrats over the past two election cycles. Growing Hispanic populations in Nevada, Texas and elsewhere could make those states more amenable to Democrats in the future.

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Donohue, whose group has spent months pushing House Republicans to support immigration legislation, was speaking about what he thought a dysfunctional Congress could still get done in 2014.

You think Congress can get immigration reform done this year, in an election year? moderator Eamon Javers asked Donohue.

Yes, yes, Donohue replied.

National Association of Manufacturers President Jay Timmons said he also thought immigration reform could pass this year, perhaps in a lame-duck session.

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This is a unified position of the business community, Timmons said.

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Chamber gives ultimatum to GOP