Republican leaders Representatives Will Hurd (R-TX), Jeff Denham (R-CA) and Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) are leading the charge to force a vote on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Two weeks ago, the House Members introduced a discharge petition known as “queen-of-the-hill,” which is a tactic rarely used to force a vote on an issue not having followed the traditional legislative process. It requires signatures from 218 Members of the House, which would force a debate and vote on the associated legislation.
The four bills are: a conservative immigration plan drafted by the House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA); the House Democrats’ DREAM Act; an immigration plan from House Republican leadership; and The USA Act, a bi-partisan bill co-authored by Representatives Will Hurd (R-TX) and Pete Aguilar (D-CA). Each bill would get a vote and be debated on the House floor. The legislation that secures the most votes would be designated “queen-of-the-hill" and would seek final approval by the 240 members required to pass the full House of Representatives, making it “king of the hill” to be sent to the Senate for action.
The Chamber is supportive of Congress passing legislation that establishes a permanent solution for DACA recipients, allowing them to receive lawful status and continue their contributions to the United States. Last September, President Trump ended the executive program signed into law by President Obama, putting the responsibility on Congress to establish a permanent legislative solution. Set to expire in March, court rulings over the past few months have halted Trump’s attempt to end the program. Many lawmakers have proposed legislation to reinstate DACA but have been unsuccessful.
As of May 23, the discharge petition has received 204 of the 218 votes required. The official signatures are posted in the House Clerk’s page.
In the coming days, the Chamber will lead a call to action, asking our members to call and write Members of Congress to communicate our support of the petition and in finding a permanent solution for DACA recipients.
