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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellMitch McConnellSchumer to Trump: Get your own 'act together' before blaming Dems GOP hasnt reached out to centrist Dem senators Schumer: Trump's speech 'detached' from reality MORE (R-Ky.) said Senate Republicans are anxious to act on an immigration reform proposal from President Trump, something that was not on the GOP agenda just a few weeks ago.

Trump surprised lawmakersTuesdayevening during his first address to a joint session of Congress by calling for action on a broad immigration reform measure with bipartisan support.

Trump made similar remarks during a private session with television news anchors the afternoon before his speech to Congress.

We know we need stronger border. We know we need a legal immigration plan that actually works. Yeah, were very much open to an immigration proposal from the administration, anxious to take a look at what the president would recommend, he said.

When asked if Senate Republicans would be open to a reform measure that would grant legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants who are in the United States, McConnell said, Were certainly open to see what the president recommends.

Were certainly in agreement that there are a lot of things that need to be changed by the way that we currently handle legal immigration as well as the serious illegal immigration problem, he added.

Trump on Tuesday evening announced that he has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to create a new office to help victims of crimes perpetrated by illegal immigrants and that construction of a new wall along the U.S.-Mexico border will soon begin.

Trump said he believes real and positive immigration reform is possible as long as lawmakers focus on the goals of improving jobs and wages for American citizens, strengthening border security and enforcing immigration laws by prosecuting violators.

He said the nations immigration laws should place more priority on bringing in skilled workers instead of what he called this current system of lower-skilled immigration.

He argued the country should follow a basic principle that those seeking to enter a country ought to be able to support themselves financially.

Centrist Democratic Sen. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinThe Hill's 12:30 Report Senate confirms Zinke to lead Interior GOP hasnt reached out to centrist Dem senators MORE (W.Va.), who discussed immigration reform with Trump at a recent White House meeting, said he was surprised the topic came up in Tuesdaysspeech.

Do you think you were going to hear anything on immigrationtonight? he asked a reporter.

At least we have conversation now. I think thats what we have to do, Manchin added.

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McConnell: Republicans 'anxious' for Trump immigration reform proposal - The Hill