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MoveOn, 18 Million Rising, CREDO, We Belong Together and MomsRising Want Discharge Petition for Immigration Reform

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Big news from some of our progressive allies today. They want action in the House on immigration reform with a path to citizenship – as does America’s Voice. Today, we called on House Democrats to support a discharge petition for immigration reform legislation.

Here’s the press release:

Progressive Coalition Calls on House Democrats to Introduce and Support Discharge Petition for Immigration Reform

Groups Urge Progressive Democrats and Moderate Republicans to Support Discharge Petition Effort and Stand Up for Comprehensive Immigration Reform 

WASHINGTON, DC —  Across the country, a coalition of progressive groups, including MoveOn.org members, America’s Voice, 18Million Rising, CREDO Action, We Belong Together, MomsRising, and the millions of people who support comprehensive immigration reform nationwide are urging Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives to introduce and support a discharge petition on the Senate immigration bill.

“MoveOn members across the country have been leading local and national fights for comprehensive immigration reform. Immigration reform is currently stalled in the House–Speaker Boehner, who could call for an up-or-down vote of the Senate bill at any moment continues to stall,” explained Mariana Ruiz, Campaign Director for MoveOn.org. “But we don’t need to wait for Speaker Boehner, there is another option–Congress can introduce the Senate bill or better, and then call for a discharge petition upon returning to Washington in September.  We want comprehensive immigration reform now, and a clear roadmap to citizenship for nearly 11 million aspiring Americans.  We call on congressional Democrats to immediately introduce the senate bill and sign on to a discharge petition — so every member of Congress is on the record as to whether they support comprehensive immigration reform.”

“Supporters of immigration reform from both sides of the aisle are doing amazing work to push their members to support reform with a path to citizenship. Already over 20 Republicans have come out  in support of the pathway to citizenship, and there is enough bipartisan support in the House to pass a bill,” added Lynn Tramonte, Deputy Director for America’s Voice. “Speaker Boehner is the only thing standing between us and a vote. Introducing the Senate bill and building support for a discharge petition will show John Boehner we won’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”

“Immigration reform is urgent and transcends political party,” said Becky Bond, CREDO’s Political Director. “Members of Congress who want to be on the right side of history need to declare their support for a discharge petition to ensure there is an up-or-down vote on immigration reform with a roadmap to citizenship for millions of aspiring Americans.” Becky Bond, Political Director, CREDO Action.

“As a first generation Filipina, the issue of immigration reform is deeply important to me personally. But this isn’t just about individual immigrants. Immigration reform is fundamentally an issue that impacts every American and every person who dreams about creating a life here,” said Christina M. Samala, Executive Director of 18MillionRising, “What we do about immigration now will determine the character of our nation for generations to come — this is the moment that will determine who is an American, who gets to be an American, and why. We must take hold of the reins and forge ahead towards legislation that brings immigrants into the heart of this nation’s best self; pursuing a discharge petition puts the power back into the hands of the people and takes it out of the hands of a Speaker whose political antics has done nothing but block immigration reform.”

If 218 members of Congress will sign a discharge petition, the legislation would be brought directly to the House floor. Under House rules, after a bill is introduced, 30 legislative days must pass before a discharge petition can be initiated. More on the process here.