No recess for tea party on immigration

Kremer predicted that Republican lawmakers will avoid public appearances and other opportunities that might lead to an earful from an angered conservative base when they go back home this summer. Taped town halls became a hallmark of politics in previous summers, as lawmakers were filmed facing angry crowds or uncomfortable questions on both policy and topics like Obama’s birth certificate…

“Conservatives are obviously furious,” Phillips said. “Marco Rubio can forget about his presidential aspirations. He’s not going to be able to hold his Senate seat. And if the House even thinks about passing this, they’re going to be in the minority in 2014.”…

If past is prologue, the 14 Republicans who voted for the bill can see their numbers winnowed, said Matt Hoskins, executive director of the Senate Conservatives Fund. Of Republicans who voted for a failed immigration bill in 2007, only Graham and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) remain. A successful bill in 2006 also drew the support of Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) — the rest of the “aye” votes have left the chamber.

“There is going to be a fallout here for anybody who votes for this bill, and I assume that folks are really going to hear it from their constituents,” Hoskins said. “People talk about it like it’s a political winner, but it costs people their election.”