Moderate Republicans Move Forward on Immigration

Moderate Republicans and Democrats moved forward on a plan to force a vote on a number of immigration proposals on Wednesday after months of inaction on the part of Republican leadership in the House.

The lawmakers are hoping use a discharge petition, sponsored by Florida Republican Carlos Curbelo, that would allow them to circumvent House Speaker Paul Ryan’s tight grip on the legislative process. If the petition can garner 218 signatures, the House would proceed to a so-called Queen of the Hill rule (put forward by California Republican Jeff Denham), during which members vote on several pieces of legislation. The bill that wins the most support above the threshold to pass outright, moves on to the Senate.