Republicans claim they have the votes to help 'Dreamers,' but won't commit to forcing action
WASHINGTON _ Rep. Jeff Denham wants you to know he has the majority of the House's support for bringing immigration legislation to the floor and helping young immigrants known as "Dreamers."
But despite talking for a month about prospects for his plan to bypass leadership's stonewalling, the California Republican refused Wednesday to say he would actually use that clout.
Denham and other House members said Wednesday they have 237 members supporting a procedure to force bringing four immigration bills to the floor without the approval of committees or leadership. That's enough votes to bypass leadership, if those members chose to act.
Denham would not say if those 237 members had agreed to actually go around leadership and move legislation to the floor, and his office did not respond to a request for a list of the members. Denham only said his list includes about 190 Democrats and as many as 50 Republicans. The House has 237 Republicans and 193 Democrats.
_ McClatchy Washington Bureau
