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News stories over the weekend seem to suggest, yet again, that at least some members of Congress are looking at some options for immigration reform bills. The collection of articles just in the last few days reflects that the GOP is somewhat caught between a rock and a hard place trying to find some balance resisting the president on immigration reform but taking some action before the 2016 presidential election.

The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that members of the House and Senate were working on various bills beyond trying to undo President Barack Obama's executive actions. First, lawmakers want to continue their push to pump more money into southern border security.

Efforts in the House and Senate could translate into possible reforms to the agricultural guest-worker program. Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, is proposing a temporary worker program that would allow up to 350,000 people into the country for low-skill jobs. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is working with Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., on a possible measure that would directly focus on the agricultural H2A program.

http://www.wsj.com/

Translating immigration reform into 2016 politics, pro-reformer Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., suggests Republicans avoid the Iowa caucuses. Iowa is the first presidential test but the caucuses only draws a small number of Iowa voters and those who tend to be the most zealous of either party. For the GOP, those Iowans who attend the caucuses tend to be more socially conservative who rally behind the likes of Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, one of the most anti-immigrant voices in the House.

Some people skip Iowa. Thats not unheard of. McCain basically did Its tough to take positions in Iowa that dont play as well in New Hampshire. So some candidates may just say, hey, well skip it and move on, Flake said. And frankly a lot of Republicans appreciate those who come there and say, Im sorry, I just dont agree with Steve King or other voices on this issue.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., spoke Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" that the GOP risks losing the White House in 2016 without some positive changes in immigration reform. Congress must deal rationally with the 11 million people who are believed to be living in the U.S. illegally.

"If we don't at least make a down payment on solving the problem and rationally dealing with the 11 million, if we become the part of self-deportation in 2015 and 2016, then the chance of winning the White House I think is almost non-existent," Graham said.

http://www.cnn.com/

Read more:
GOP Seeks Elusive Balance on Immigration Reform in 2015