GOPers reject Dem immigration tactic

House Democrats havent launched a discharge petition on immigration just yet, but reform-friendly Republicans are already rejecting the idea.

Three House Republicans who have endorsed the Democrats comprehensive immigration reform legislation all said they will not sign onto any effort from Democrats to push a floor vote.

No, theres just no way, said Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.), who co-sponsored the Democratic immigration bill last fall. To play politics that way is not the way to get something this serious done.

(Also on POLITICO: Tax plan could hit immigrants)

A spokesman for Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) said she would not sign one. And Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) also said he is a no on a discharge petition.

I am interested in working through the committee process, he said. Im going to continue to pressure and push my conference on coming to a solution and offering other bills.

The three lawmakers are the only House Republicans who have co-sponsored legislation spearheaded by Democrats that largely takes from the Senate-passed bill, but scales back its border-security provisions.

A discharge petition is a procedural gambit that allows the minority party in the House in this case, Democrats to force a vote on the floor over the wishes of the majority leadership. Very few discharge petitions actually succeed, since it is considered a breach of party loyalty to sign onto an effort from the opposing party.

(CARTOONS: Matt Wuerker on immigration)

Of course, securing the necessary 218 signatures on a discharge petition wouldnt be the only goal of Democrats. Lawmakers are also hoping that the existence of a discharge petition on immigration will create enough pressure on Republicans to force the leadership to start moving reform bills on the House floor.

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GOPers reject Dem immigration tactic

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