A bipartisan majority in the House tried to jump-start the DACA debate Wednesday, announcing they have around 240 members who have signed onto a plan to push immigration onto the floor of the chamber and insist a solution to emerge.
As of now the lawmakers have only signed onto an outline for debate, meaning their plans are largely symbolic.
The decision to actually begin floor proceedings still rests with GOP leaders, who have said they aren’t keen on the idea, saying as of now there’s no bill that can emerge from Congress that could also earn President Trump’s support.
But the leaders of the insurgency said the House deserves to have a debate and see what can pass.
“All we’re asking is for a vote,” said Rep. Will Hurd, a Texas Republican.
The big issue still looming is the fate of about 700,000 illegal immigrant “Dreamers” who are part of the Obama-era DACA program — a temporary deportation amnesty that has given some Dreamers a foothold in society, with work permits, Social Security cards and some taxpayer benefits.
Republicans have said they also want to see stronger immigration enforcement to prevent the illegal immigrant issue from lingering into the future.
In addition to pressure inside the Capitol, two conservative groups announced a major pressure campaign this week demanding Congress act on a solution for Dreamers.
LIBRE and Freedom Partners, both of which take funding from the conservative Koch network, said they want Congress to approve citizenship rights for Dreamers, coupled with $25 billion in money to build Mr. Trump’s border wall.
“Both Democrats and Republicans have expressed their commitment to a resolution, and the recent proposal that provides permanency for Dreamers and $25 billion in border security is one that President Trump and Congress should take,” said James Davis, executive vice president of Freedom Partners.
The White House had rejected the Dreamers-for-$25 billion proposal earlier this year, but then later said it could be acceptable.
That deal is not one of the four bills the insurgents are proposing would get votes under their plan. Instead they envision votes on a strict enforcement bill sponsored by key House Republicans, a broad amnesty such as the Dream Act, a slightly slimmer amnesty sponsored by Mr. Hurd and Democratic Rep. Pete Aguilar, and whatever plan House Speaker Paul D. Ryan chooses to offer.
They say the House should use a process known as “Queen of the Hill,” which pits all of the bills against each other and whichever garners the largest majority would emerge the victor.
The Senate attempted its own immigration debate earlier this year but failed after none of the plans were able to cross the 60-vote threshold the chamber set.
The House insurgents said they hoped their move would kick-start things, and put pressure on Mr. Trump to accept a bill.
They claimed some 190 Democrats and more than 50 Republicans are backing the plan to hold a debate.
But that doesn’t mean all 240 or so lawmakers support the same eventual solution to DACA.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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