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Arguing that the votes to overhaul the broken system are there, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelsoi, D-Calif., is using the procedural tactic to gain the support of lawmakers to force House Speaker John Boehners hand on a floor vote.

Democrats have called for a vote on H.R. 15 for months, but even before it was first introduced, the House GOP leadership said it was dead on arrival. Thats because the bipartisan House bill is similar to one passed by the Senate last June, which included an earned pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants.

Pelosi said she will sign the petition.

However, Pelosi has expressed her doubts about the chances of success.

Well never get to 218 on the discharge petition, Pelosi told Sirius XM Radios Julie Mason. Because the Republicans generally wont sign, but the fact that it is there and the outside mobilization is saying all we want is a vote.

Despite the doomed reality of the procedure, immigration reform advocates and lawmakers say the pressure is on the Republicans. Earlier this year, House GOP leadership announced a set of principles they intended to use to end gridlock on the issue, only to retract them less than a week later. They cited a trust deficit between the White House and Republican House members as reasons for the continued delay.

But for those on the political right who publicly voiced support for immigration, supporters say this is their time to prove their commitment.

This is their chance to play a role in actually making that happen, said Rocio Saenz, executive vice president of the Service Employees International Union. This vote will also tell us exactly what side of the issue each member is on. Are they with the extremists in their caucus who want to block immigration reform at all costs, or are they with the millions of families who are suffering under our broken system?

Even faith-based community organizations are waiting to see where Republicans stand.

Original post:

Immigration Reform: House Dems File Discharge Petition Demanding Vote