Cantor hints at sequester compromise

Cantor hints at sequester compromise
By Brendan Sasso - 08-04-13 01:45 PM ET

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) suggested on Sunday that Republicans could be open to a deal on the sequester if it includes cuts to entitlement programs.

“What we need to have happen is leadership on the part of this president and the White House, to come to the table finally and say 'we're going to fix the underlying problem that's driving our deficit,'" Cantor said on "Fox News Sunday." "We know that is the entitlement programs and the unfunded liability that they are leaving on this generation and the next."

The sequester, which into effect earlier this year, imposed $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts but did not affect entitlement programs such as social security and Medicare.

"This fall is going to give us a great opportunity, I think, to all come together and try and tackle the real problem, which is the entitlements,” Cantor said.

He also said the House will take up immigration legislation, but he did not commit to holding a vote on a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

"We will have a vote on a series of bills at some point, Chris, and it will deal with a variety of issues," Cantor told Fox host Chris Wallace, emphasizing the importance of border security.

Cantor said the House will address immigration "according to our terms" and will not vote on the Senate's bill.