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A group of House Republican lawmakers are moving forward with their plan to force a debate and vote on legislative solution for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

On Wednesday, Moderate GOP Representatives Carlos Cubelo, Mario Diaz-Balart, Will Hurd and David Valadao introduced a discharge petition. It is a procedural maneuver to take legislation out of a committee and bring it to the floor for consideration.

Many perceive the group’s action as a challenge to the GOP leadership particularly House Speaker Paul Ryan, who refused to bring any DACA legislation on the floor for a vote

The group need the support of all the Democrats plus 25 Republicans in the House—a total of 218 signatures— to force a vote. In March, the supporters of the discharge petition said they can get 240 signatures.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 17 Republicans already signed the discharged petition. Democratic lawmakers are expected to support the initiative.  Obtaining the necessary signatures could force Speaker Ryan to bring a series of immigration bills for consideration under the so-called “queen of the hill rule.”

On April 18, Representatives Pete Aguilar, Jeff Denham, Will Hurd, and Lujan Grisham proposed a bipartisan “queen-of-the-hill” rule to allow a floor debate on four legislative proposals to solve DACA.

Speaker Ryan and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy rejected the proposal, which obtained 240 co-sponsors.

Empowering all House Members to develop a solution to DACA

In a statement, Rep. Curbello said, “Since the President's call for Congressional action on DACA and other immigration policies in September of last year, the House has done nothing.”

Additionally, the GOP lawmaker stressed Congress should be motivated by courage – not inhibited by cowardice – in the pursuit of the legislative solutions the American people expect.

Furthermore, he said their proposal empowers all House Members to develop a solution supported by majority to become a law.

On the other hand, Rep. Denham commented, "Congress must do its job and have the debate we have avoided for years."

Legislative proposals to solve DACA

• The Dream Act of 2017—provides conditional permanent resident status for eight years to DACA recipients and other individuals who entered the United States when they were 17 years old or younger and meet specified requirements. After eight years, they can apply for a lawful permanent resident status. The bill also provides a path to citizenship.
• The Uniting and Securing America (USA) Act—a bipartisan bill that protects DACA recipients from deportation and implement common-sense border security measures.
• The Recognizing America’s Children Act (RAC Act) – gives conditional permanent resident status for five years to individuals who entered the United States when they were 15 years or younger and meet the specified requirements. It provides a pathway to lawful permanent residency and citizenship.
• The Bridge Act—extends the DACA program for another three years. The extension will give Congress time to develop a permanent legislative solution for young undocumented immigrants.
• The Securing America's Future Act—provides a 3-year renewal legal status to DACA recipients. The bill reforms will end chain migration and the Diversity Visa program. It will increase the number of green cards available for skilled workers. It will create a new, workable agricultural guestworker program for America’s farmers and ranchers.