House Democrats' 'discharge petition' could force GOP vote on immigration reform

By Balitang America Staff, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

March 6, 2014

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – It could be a last ditch effort from House Democrats to pressure Republicans to proceed with immigration reform this year.

House minority leader Nancy Pelosi says a decision will be made in the next few days about whether to launch a procedural tactic called a discharge petition.

Pelosi is reportedly ready to set in motion a discharge petition on a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

Successful discharge petitions force floor votes on particular bills, regardless of how other house members feel about it.

Still, there are challenges to this tactic.

The discharge petition needs about two dozen Republicans to get the 218 votes needed to force a House vote on immigration reform.

Even Republicans who have expressed support for reform have already said they cannot sign a discharge petition, which represents a betrayal of leadership.

Immigration attorney Ellaine Carr says the Democrats’ move is timely in light of upcoming elections in November.

“The immigration problem is very important and this must be addressed,” Carr said in an interview with Balitang America. “I think it will change and speed up the Republicans’ action on this.”