House Democrats Introduce Discharge Petition To Force A Vote On Immigration Reform

House Democrats came together Wednesday to reignite the debate on immigration reform, introducing a discharge petition against the House Republican leadership, attempting to force Republicans to finally issue a vote on immigration.

"Enough is enough, and Democrats are demanding a vote. It is time for Republicans to stop catering to the most extreme, anti-immigrant wing of their caucus, and allow a vote on the bipartisan immigration reform our nation so urgently needs," saidHouse Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

If Democrats are able to gather 218 signatures, the procedural rule will force Speaker John Boehner to call for a vote on the immigration reform bill introduced by the Democrats last year. The bill has also been co-sponsored by three other Republican House members.

While House Democrats have been frank about the long-shot possibility of their petition succeeding without support by Republicans, their new move brings attention back to the immigration reform debate, and further proves Republicans are the ones unwilling to settle the matter.

A recent poll conducted by the Texas Republican firm, Baselice & Associates, and paid for by Partnership for a New American Economy, shows Republicans don't have anything to fear by passing immigration reform. Voter turnout in their conservative base will not experience any significant drop. Now, concerning the mobilization by Latinos and Democrats against their failed leadership? That's a whole different story Republicans should most definitely be worried about.

At this point, immigration advocates and the Democratic House minority have exhausted their options to bring reform up for a vote on the floor. If Republicans fail to support immigration, it is up to voters in this year's midterm elections to bring about change in the House leadership in order to get reform passed.

"Immigration reform is the right thing to do for our economy, our security, and our future. A vast majority of the American people agree. The only thing standing in the way is the unwillingness of Republicans in Congress to catch up with the rest of the country," said President Obama, regarding the House Democrats' efforts.

Below are other statements made by Congressmen Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio) and Marc Veasey (D-Fort Worth), who were present in the unveiling of the petition: