Rep. Mike Pence (R.-Ind.) teamed with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R.-Tex.) this morning to unveiled version 2.0 of his guest-worker plan. The reaction so far seems to be mixed, although it's probably far too early to tell how his plan will play on Capitol Hill.

Pence, chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, came under attack from some on the right -- namely Pat Buchanan, Phyllis Schlafly and Joseph Farah -- for the version 1.0 of his plan. By teaming with Hutchison, and making modifications to areas conservatives criticized, Pence is hoping to move the House and Senate closer to a compromise.



Here's what Pence had to say at this morning's press conference:

I always have seen the solution as a four-step process. Securing our border is the first step. The second step is to make the decision, once and for all, to deny amnesty to people whose first act in the United States was a violation of the law. The third step is to put in place a temporary worker program, without amnesty, that will efficiently provide American employers with willing temporary workers who come to America legally. The final step is tough employer sanctions that ensure a full partnership between American business and the American government in the enforcement of our laws on immigration and temporary workers.

Other reaction, meanwhile, was mostly mixed. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R.-Colo.), chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus, said Pence's latest iteration is a disappointment.

Having employers which have already broken the law determine the number of cheap foreign workers that will be admitted into the U.S. is a classic example of the fox guarding the hen house. I have never had a guest who, after staying awhile, demanded to move into my house permanently. No plan that allows temporary workers to stay permanently is a ‘guest’ worker plan.

House Majority Leader John Boehner (R.-Ohio) declined to endorse the Pence-Hutchison plan.

It is a contribution to the overall process. It continues the debate, continues the discussion, continues to educate committee members and the public, all of which, I think, leads to more discussion about what a final product could look like.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R.-Tenn.) saw the proposal as an opportunity to advance the debate.

I welcome the proposal put forth by Senator Hutchison and Congressman Pence as an idea that we ought to look at as we continue work on immigration reform. I believe that ideas like these will ultimately help us find a way to strengthen the border, have an effective workplace enforcement system, and tackle the problem of the 12 million immigrants who are here illegally.

Pence knew he would have to endure a new round of criticism with version 2.0, but agree or disagree with him, you have to admire his willingness to withstand the attacks. Pence is clearly trying to advance the debate. Conservatives don't have to agree with him, but we shouldn't resort to personal attacks as we've witnessed from the Team America PAC. Let's hope even Pence's critics take the high road and debate the merits of his proposal.

[Tim Chapman of the Heritage Foundation has done an excellent recap of the Pence-Hutchison bill on his blog.]