U.S. Rep. Ben Ray LujánU.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, first vice chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, called for a vote on comprehensive immigration reform in the House of Representatives.
House Democrats have introduced a discharge petition that would require an up or down vote on H.R. 15, a bipartisan immigration bill, once a 218-member majority of the House signs that petition. Luján signed the petition Wednesday.
“Enough is enough – it is time to bring immigration reform to the House floor for a vote.” Luján said. “There is a growing coalition – from the high tech sector to law enforcement, from the agricultural sector to the faith community – that has been calling for action on comprehensive immigration reform. The Senate has passed a comprehensive bill and House Democrats have introduced legislation and stand willing to work toward a solution. House Republicans seem to be the only ones that are unwilling to address this critical issue and pass legislation that strengthens our economy, keeps our country safer, and reflects the contributions immigrants make to communities every day. The time for action is now. And with this petition, we are demanding a vote on comprehensive reform.”
Luján is an original cosponsor of H.R. 15, which according to a recent study by the Congressional Budget Office, would reduce the deficit by $900 billion.
“The current system is broken and families are suffering,” Luján said. “We cannot afford to wait any longer, and House Republicans are out of excuses for delaying action on this urgent issue. Our communities deserve a vote on the House floor.”
To read the bill in its entirety, click here.
According to the USLegal, Inc.™ website at http://definitions.uslegal.com, “A discharge petition is a petition signed by the members of the House of Representatives to bring a bill from committee to the floor for consideration. A discharge petition requires the signature of an absolute majority of the members which is signature of 218 members. Discharge petitions are moved when the committees delays the reporting of bills thus making it not possible to discuss in the legislature. A successful moving of a discharge petition discharges the bill without a report from a Committee.”
