VIDEO: Sen. Marco Rubio Talks Immigration on CBS THIS MORNING

As the Senate Judiciary Committee begins debating the immigration bill today, Sen. Marco Rubio told CBS that despite the suggestion of 200 amendments to the proposed legislation, conservative Republicans do support the bill. In the interview, which was broadcast live today, May 9, 2013, on CBS THIS MORNING (7:00-9:00AM) on the CBS Television Network, Rubio told co-hosts Charlie Rose and Norah O'Donnell that the amendments are "actual efforts to improve it" and are not "trying to gut it" as some have suggested.

Rubio also derided a Heritage Foundation study claiming that the bill would cost taxpayers trillions of dollars, telling co-hosts Charlie Rose and Norah O'Donnell that the study was "deeply flawed" and "not a legitimate study." Watch the appearance if full below!

Excerpts of the interview are below.

Norah O'Donnell: And the bipartisan plan to overhaul immigration faces its first big test today. The Senate Judiciary Committee begins debate on the bill. The result will directly impact 11 million people in this country right now. The bill sponsors, the so-called Gang of Eight, include Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. He joins us now. Senator, I know how hard you have worked over the years to craft a bill with Democrats and Republicans. Now your fellow Republicans have submitted 200 amendments to your bill. Are you worried that your own party is trying to gut your work?

SEN. MARCO RUBIO: First of all, thank you for having me on. I don't think amendments are trying to gut it. I've read headlines that say that, I don't understand it. That's the way the process is supposed to work. What we've always worked on is a starting point. We worked with eight people, four Republicans and four Democrats, crafted what I think is an excellent starting point, and now we're asking our colleagues for suggestions about how to improve it. Some of the amendments would have the effect of destroying the bill, but I think that's true on both sides. But by and large, the vast majority of amendments are actual efforts to improve it and we welcome that.

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!