Obama and the Democratic Party have worked hard to pass immigration reform, even bending over backwards on some absurd border security pork. But the Republican leadership and base, have blocked it and tried to project blame onto Democrats, as always. Nevertheless, it might be possible to pass it, in spite of them.
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) told Post Politics’ Ed O’Keefe in a newly released interview that the House has more than enough GOP votes — around 40 or 50 — to pass comprehensive immigration reform if it were brought to a vote.
But Gutierrez said Republicans who support the idea are staying deliberately quiet to avoid a backlash from conservative activists.
“Some of them I’ve spoken to, and they say, ‘Love to do the activity with you, I want to be able to vote for it, I really don’t need to draw attention to myself at this point,’ but we can count on it,” Gutierrez said…
Inserted from <Washington Post>
The technique for passing it is called a discharge petition. Rachel Maddow explained how one works. Here’s the part of one of her stories that explained discharge petitions:
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In short, if 218 Representatives sign a discharge petition, all the Democrats and just 17 Republicans, the bill comes to the floor no mater what the Plutocons and Corporacons, who want a cheap and complaint free undocumented workforce to enslave and exploit, have to say. If there are 50 willing to vote for it, Gutierrez should be able to get 17 to sign.
10 Responses to “How to Pass Immigration Reform”
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How some Democrats think they can work with some members of the GOP is beyond me – if there are any rational members of the GOP left they are hiding hoping not to lose their seats, so won't speak up. Awful. Poor America. Poor world.
Alan Grayson has gotten a few things done by working quietly with Republicans but yes it's usually under the radar.
This story is terribly offensive but it also illustrates that there may be a difference between what one is saying and what one is accomplishing: It's said that Huey Long was approached by a group of black nurses who were highly qualified but couldn't get hired. He is said to have warned them that they wouldn't like his methods, but that he would take care of it. He went on the radio and did a tirade about "nurses in our hospitals, white women who are forced to wait hand and foot on (the N-word)." Ugly. But hospitals started hiring the black nurses to defend themselves from this attack.
Gotta love Grayson!
Huey Long was knoewn for doing the right thing the wrong way. I vbelieve the Dixiecrats (who later became the Republican bade) were behind his assassination.
I agree with Joanne. It doers happen, but ir's rare.
A very interesting development! But are there 17 Republicanus/Teabaggers who are willing to face the Republicanus/Teabagger music once the vote is done? We know they will likely all be moderates. Will this shove the GOP to new extremes?
I say go for it. The more extreme the Republicanus/Teabaggers become, the less in touch with reality they become and the less likely mainstream America is to follow them. The bigots will always follow them, but perhaps mainstream GOP followers will rethink their options. After all, this is not the Republican party of their parents and grandparents.
I hope so. Repubvluicans have given Democxrats a win-win. If it passes, we got it done in spide of Republican obstruction. If not even 17 will sign, they are the Saboteurs, and we win ther loyalty of latinos.
If it will work, go for it!
Patrty, I agree.
You never know if somethng will work until you try. I used to vote for the person, not the party, until Dubya came along. I still believe there are some in the Republican party who want to do the right thing, but are terrified of the tea party. This would give them the opportunity to vote responsbility. I think they should try it. Reese is never wrong. LOL
I used to too Patty. I voted for Senator Packwood (R-OR), until he became Senator Pokewood and had to resign.