Sen. Rubio Trying To Get GOP Lawmakers To Support Immigration Bill

Due to discuss the bill with House Republicans today

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate debate on a far-reaching immigration bill is becoming a test of Sen. Marco Rubio's influence over fellow Republicans as the Florida conservative works to sell GOP lawmakers on landmark legislation that also may help determine the fate of his presidential ambitions.

Rubio, a tea party favorite who's acted as the bill's emissary to the conservative community, has spent recent weeks meeting individually with Republican senators to discuss changes to the bill that could get them on board. That included working with conservative Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, on a border security amendment Cornyn outlined Wednesday in The Dallas Morning News.