Here is your Morning Brief for the morning of October 3, 2013. Give me your feedback below and tune in to The Chad Hasty Show for these and many more topics from 8:30 to 11am. Remember, you can listen online at KFYO.com or on your iPhone/Android with the radioPup App.

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Immigration is Back

The other day I reminded you not to pay too much attention to the government shutdown. Why? Because a lot of other stuff could slip by. You know, like immigration.

As the federal government shutdown continues for a second day, congressional Democrats say they are looking to make sure comprehensive immigration reform doesn’t fall off the priority list, as they announced legislation on Wednesday that includes elements of a border-security measure backed by a key GOP leader.

Like the Senate bill, S. 744, which passed by that chamber in June, a version of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act by U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., includes a 13-year path to citizenship for most of the qualifying undocumented immigrants in the country, with a shorter path for DREAM Act-eligible youths.

It does not, however, contain the Corker-Hoeven amendment, adopted by the Senate, which would double the amount of U.S. Border Patrol officers and add hundreds of miles of fencing. Instead, the new House measure creates border security metrics and goals, including achieving “operational control” of the border. Operational control is defined as achieving a 90 percent apprehension rate for illegal border crossers and significant reduction of the movement of drugs and other contraband.

That language is similar to a standalone bill filed by U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, which passed out of that committee in May. McCaul and other key GOP leaders said in July they would not consider the Senate bill, citing its border security measures as inadequate.

During a news conference on Wednesday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said McCaul’s measure was added to garner support from Republicans and show that Democrats are willing to work across the aisle.

Wendy's Big Announcement

This afternoon Wendy Davis will announce that she is running for Governor. Tomorrow and into next week we will see many headlines proclaiming her as the next big thing in Texas. We will see numerous articles that talk about her passion and her energy and that will propel Democrats in Texas.

Headlines are exactly what Texas Democrats need though. I think most Democrats in Texas know that Wendy Davis has no shot of winning. She does however have star power. She will bring in the money and make Democrats relevant in the news. However, if other Democrats in Texas refuse to join her and not run for statewide office then it's meaningless.

Even though Davis has virtually no shot of winning, this is the best chance Democrats have had in years. She could... possibly... most likely not defeat Greg Abbott, but other races are attainable. Davis could bring more Democrats to the polls which could have an impact on down ballot races. Will it? Probably not. If Democrats want to win in Texas though, they have to start running.

Now, why am I confidant that Davis won't win? Easy. It's because of her. People don't know Wendy Davis but the ones that do really only know her for one thing. Abortion. Worse than that though is that they know her for opposing a bill that banned abortion after 20 weeks. Even Democrats start looking the other way on abortion after 20 weeks. Greg Abbott's $22 million dollar war chest will define Davis and it will happen quickly.

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These and many more topics coming up on today’s edition of The Chad Hasty Show. Tune in mornings 8:30-11am on News/Talk 790 KFYO, streaming online at kfyo.com, and now on your iPhone and Android device with the radioPup App. All guest interviews can be heard online in our podcast section after the show at kfyo.com.

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