Obama, McCain to discuss immigration at White House

Sen. John McCain will meet with President Obama at the White House on Thursday afternoon, just as the White House has restarted its push for an overhaul of the nation's immigration laws.

There are no specific issues on the agenda for the meeting, said White House spokesman Jay Carney, who confirmed the meeting. But McCain told reporters that he expects to discuss immigration and other issues with the president.

No other lawmakers are scheduled to join the meeting.

McCain was a key supporter of the immigration overhaul bill that passed the Democratic-controlled Senate this year.

Until recently, it appeared an immigration overhaul had little chance in the GOP-led House. But Obama has gained a measure of optimism that a compromise can be hatched on immigration this year after Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif., last week became the third Republican to co-sponsor the House bill, which includes a pathway to citizenship for the nation's 12 million undocumented immigrants.

"It's my estimation that we actually have votes to get comprehensive immigration reform done in the House right now," Obama said this week during a meeting with business executives to discuss immigration.