Stefanik signs petition on 4 immigration bills

The discharge petition, the technical name for the proposal, needs 218 signatures. At that point it will force a vote on House Resolution 774, setting the rules for debating the immigration bills.

Ms. Stefanik said that as all 193 Democrats in the House are expected to sign onto the petition, they need 25 Republican signatures.

“We know the number of Democrats who will sign on,” she said. As for recruiting the remaining Republicans, “I am hopeful,” she said.

The bills which would be brought to the floor cover issues including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, border security and a host of other issues. Ms. Stefanik says she is particularly concerned with agricultural worker visas, DACA and 21st century border security.

The congresswoman has long advocated for changes to the H-2A work visa program, which provides immigrant workers with seasonal permits to work on local farms. Local farmers have argued that navigating the program is a struggle and prevents a sustainable workforce year-round. Ms. Stefanik has proposed moving the visa program from the U.S. Department of Labor to the U.S. Department of Agriculture so that the needs of farmers can be met more quickly.

If the discharge petition is successful, and the resolution passes, the immigration bills would be debated under a set of rules known as “queen of the hill.” Amendments would be approved based on whichever receives the most votes, assuming they pass the minimum number of votes required.

Ms. Stefanik signed the petition Wednesday. As of Thursday, two additional representatives have signed on, including a Democrat, Rep. Diana DeGette of Colorado.

Two other New York representatives have signed on the discharge petition, U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, R-Clarence, and U.S. Rep. John J. Faso, R-Kinderhook.

The signatories to the discharge petition are posted and updated here: http://clerk.house.gov/115/lrc/pd/petitions/DisPet0010.xml.