( CNN ) -- Whenever I have to make a tough decision , I look up at the wall of my office , where I have hung the original immigration certificates and pictures of my grandparents . They fled Russia and immigrated to the United States at the turn of the last century . Though I lost them many years ago , they have always been my source of inspiration . I look into those eyes that saw poverty , persecution , anti-Semitism and hatred , and along with fear , I see something else : hope . Their eyes are wide open to the promise and opportunity of America . After the 2012 elections , it seemed there was one issue that could unite Republicans and Democrats : reforming our nation 's broken immigration system so that more people like my grandparents could live the American Dream . Fast-forward eight months . In the Senate , the hope for bipartisan cooperation is now reality . By a wide margin -- one that is unheard-of in today 's polarized Washington -- the Senate passed a comprehensive immigration bill that guarantees our nation 's borders are secure , protects American workers and offers undocumented immigrants an earned path to citizenship that is tough but fair . The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reports ( PDF ) that comprehensive immigration reform will strengthen our economy and reduce the deficit , so not only is reform the right thing to do , it 's also fiscally sound policy . The only obstacles to finally fixing our broken immigration system are Speaker John Boehner and House Republicans . If House Republicans fail to act , voters who care about this issue -- especially our growing Hispanic population -- will know they ca n't count on House Republicans . Instead of moving forward in the weeks since the Senate bill passed , House Republicans have allowed intolerant voices to remain the face of their party on immigration . People like Rep. Steve King , who has compared immigrants to dogs and DREAM Act-eligible children to drug runners , do n't deserve a place on the Judiciary Committee that will decide the future of immigration reform . If House Republicans are serious about having a constructive debate , they will remove King from his position of authority . While it is true that Boehner 's House has given us little reason to be optimistic and King 's rhetoric is contrary to the principles that make this country great , I still have hope for the future of immigration reform . There are several House Republicans whose constituents will demand progress on immigration , and House Democrats want to work with them on finally achieve lasting reform . We can do this , but only if we do it together . We all came to Congress knowing we would face hard choices . For Boehner , that hard choice means abandoning the foolish Hastert Rule , which requires that `` the majority of the majority '' party support legislation before it can be brought to a vote in the whole House , an artificial barrier to bipartisan cooperation . In effect , the rule keeps the speaker in power while preventing Republicans and Democrats from coming together . And most troubling , it thwarts the will of the people , a consequence that is fundamentally at odds with who we are as Americans . I do n't think that when my grandparents took those pictures , they ever imagined they would be hanging in the United States Capitol . But I know that if they believed that it was possible anywhere , it was only possible here -- because they had a voice in their government . There are 434 members of the House who could probably tell a similarly inspiring story about their families ' immigration journeys . For the good of the country , I hope Boehner draws strength from all of these stories to do what is right for this nation of immigrants . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Steve Israel .
Steve Israel says his grandparents fled persecution in Russia to seek promise of U.S . He says post-election hopes that the parties could unite over immigration reform have dimmed . He says Rep. King has insulted Latinos ; Boehner-led GOP using procedural tactics to deny vote . Israel : Boehner 's use of Hastert Rule is barrier to bipartisanship , thwarts will of the people .