House Republicans will inch closer to a major immigration reform debate when they return to work next week, while the Senate plans a major announcement that could shorten the August recess.
Moderate Republicans are just a few signatures shy of triggering a vote later this month on a series of immigration reform bills, but say they are willing to work with GOP leaders on a Republican-led compromise plan instead.
The House GOP will meet on June 7 to try to hash out a path forward that they have been unable to find after weeks of discussions.
Some Republicans want to force a vote on the three immigration measures included in the discharge petition, which can be used to override the speaker if a majority of lawmakers sign it.
“The clock is ticking and we must force House leadership to take up these important pieces of legislation,” Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, wrote in the San Antonio Express News this week.
But one co-author of the discharge petition said the goal is to coerce the GOP leadership into finding a Republican-led compromise.
“I’ve been trying to empower the speaker and empower the leadership to have this discussion” said Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Calif.
Denham said he wants some Democratic buy-in as well, to ensure the bill can pass the GOP-led Senate, where the minority has the power to block legislation.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told Fox News radio this week that Republicans “are very close to having an agreement that I think could go on to the floor.”
Over in the Senate, Republican leaders are on the verge of canceling part of the traditional August recess. Lawmakers have been fleeing D.C. in August since the days before air conditioning, but this year, part of the vacation may be cut short.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is expected to announce the August schedule on Monday. He has been urged by fellow Republicans to keep the Senate working at least part of August in order to complete appropriations measures and clear more nominations that have been slowed down by Democrats.
The move might also give Republicans an edge in the midterm elections, as more Democrats than Republicans are hoping to use August to campaign.
It wouldn’t be unprecedented. McConnell last year called off the first two weeks of the August recess but then gave a week back after lawmakers were able to complete legislation.
