WASHINGTON — Supporters of far-reaching immigration legislation fear they're losing the message war and say an all-out campaign is needed from business groups and other outside advocates with ties to House Republicans to turn it around.

With House action now on hold until September at earliest, immigration bill backers see Congress' monthlong August recess as crucial to their cause. They're making plans to try to ensure that supporters of an immigration overhaul are heard as loudly as opponents when lawmakers return to their districts for town hall meetings and other events.

"Here's the fact: We're not winning, so we've got to wage a campaign," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said Thursday. "There are many members of the House that don't want to take up any bill at all, as you know. What our job is, we want to convince them to at least pass legislation, so that we can go to conference and work together."