WASHINGTON (AP) — The third-ranking Republican in the House has told immigration advocates that there's not enough time left this year to deal with the issue.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California said he was committed to working on immigration next year.

Angelica Salas is the board chairwoman for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. She described her conversation with McCarthy in a conference call with reporters on Friday.

Salas and about a dozen women had held a protest at McCarthy's Bakersfield office last Thursday. Salas said McCarthy spoke to the group and explained that there were only a limited number of legislative days left.

The Senate passed a comprehensive immigration bill in June, but the effort has languished in the House.