Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa had some blunt words for Governor Mitt Romney on Sunday's "Face The Nation."
When asked about Romney's recent assertion that President Barack Obama had done "nothing" to advance comprehensive immigration reform, Villaraigosa retorted, "I think it's pretty clear that he has amnesia."
Villaraigosa went on to recall the President's stymied effort to pass the DREAM Act in 2010, explaining that a majority of Democrats in both the House of Representatives and the Senate voted in favor of the legislation but were defeated because the Senate needed 60 "yes" votes to overcome a Republican-led filibuster.
The President's deportation deferral program for young undocumented immigrants, Villaraigosa argued, is accomplishing what Congress should have done a long time ago.
Villaraigosa also had some advice for Romney, who is trailing Obama when it comes to support from Latinos: "If he wants to take [immigration] out of the debate in the campaign, he ought to call on Speaker Boehner and the Republicans in the House and Senate to work with President Obama and the Democrats to pass not only the DREAM act, but comprehensive immigration reform."
Romney has been under the microscope for his stance on immigration ever since Obama announced on June 15 that his administration would stop deporting young undocumented immigrations -- provided they meet certain qualifications. On last Sunday's "Face The Nation," Romney criticized Obama for failing to pass comprehensive immigration reform but declined to say where he'd overturn the President's recently-announced deportation deferral program.
Romney also repeatedly refused to address the question at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) conference Thursday, saying only that his long-term solution would "supersede" the President's measure.
Villaraigosa was one of several Californians selected by Obama to be a national co-chair for his re-election campaign. The position involves advocating on behalf of the President, motivating voters and advising the campaign, reports the Los Angeles Times.
He was also named chairman and official spokesperson for this summer's Democratic National Convention.
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