See How Boehner Responded After Being Asked About Procedure That GOP Members Could Use to Revolt Against Immigration Bill

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Thursday he doesn't "intend" to push an immigration bill that violates Republican "principles."

Boehner spoke to reporters during his regular press briefing after TheBlaze exclusively reported that 70 Republican House members are planning a political showdown over immigration reform and a bill they say will mean amnesty for illegal immigrants and election security for progressives and Democrats.

"My goal is always to bring bills to the floor that have a strong Republican majority," Boehner said. "Immigration reform -- it's a very difficult issue, but I don't intend to bring an immigration reform bill to the floor that violates what I and what members of my party -- what our principles are."

Boehner's comments were in specific response to a question about the Hastert rule -- a procedure that, if followed, prevents bills from being brought to the floor unless they have a majority of support from the majority party.

The group of Republicans fighting immigration legislation want the rule honored in order to more fully discuss and vet the measures. They are planning a Lincoln-Douglas-style debate on immigration in front of the Capitol building on Wednesday.

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