Some House Republican lawmakers say that even if the party would gain votes by supporting sweeping reform, that’s no reason to back otherwise objectionable legislation.

“I don’t think we should be worried about the political impact but instead what is in the best interest of America,” said Republican Representative Mo Brooks of Alabama…

Few Republican strategists claim the party will gain many votes any time soon among Hispanic voters simply by supporting immigration reform. But most think it important to at least avoid the image of being anti-Hispanic or anti-immigrant so that they can eventually build a base of support among Hispanics.

“We have to have immigration reform to neutralize the charge that we are anti-Hispanic,” said Ron Bonjean, a former Republican congressional leadership aide turned political strategist.

“If Republicans refuse to pass comprehensive immigration reform, we will become obsolete as a party within 10 years,” Bonjean said.

Representative Raul Labrador, an Idaho Republican and a member of a group of eight House members seeking to craft a bipartisan bill of their own, said: “We aren’t going to win any votes if we do immigration reform. But we might actually do the right thing for America, which is the most important thing.”