Today, Rep. David Valdao (R-CA) added his name to the growing list of cosponsors of HR 15–sensible immigration legislation comprised entirely of provisions that have attracted bipartisan support in either the House or the Senate. Valadao is the third Republican to add his name to the list, following Reps. Jeff Denham (R-CA) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL). In total, at least 28 Republicans have expressed support for a path to citizenship publicly, but only Denham, Ros-Lehtinen, and now Valadao have taken the next important step of putting their names on legislation.
The following is a statement by Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice:
Another day, another crack in the dam blocking immigration reform. This is what momentum looks like, and we’re thrilled to see Rep. Valadao demonstrate real leadership by throwing his support behind this good legislation. Thanks to him and the likes of Reps. Denham and Ros-Lehtinen, we’re now one step closer to making the dream of a pathway to citizenship a reality for the 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in America.
But when it comes to Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) and the House leadership, the silence is deafening. When are they going to move immigration reform forward? The longer he delays a vote, the more the pressure will build. Either he listens to these Republican Members and the existing majority in the House that supports reform with a path to citizenship or he shoulders full responsibility for blocking the best chance for landmark immigration legislation in a generation.
