Two more Republicans back immigration discharge petition

Reps. John Katko (N.Y.) and Dave Trott (Mich.) have signed on to a discharge petition to force a series of votes on immigration, becoming the 19th and 20th Republicans to back it.

The growing support for the petition comes as GOP leaders have warned rank-and-file Republicans not to support it.

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The petition, introduced by Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) last week, would force votes on four immigration measures on the floor, getting around leadership in the process.

The leadership of the majority party can generally control what gets to the floor for a vote, but if a majority of members back a discharge petition, they can force a vote.

Only one Democrat has signed on to the discharge petition so far, but more are expected to do so if 25 Republicans sign on. That’s the minimum amount of GOP support necessary to get to a majority if all Democrats back the petition.

The petition would set up a “Queen of the Hill” vote on immigration in which four different measures would get votes. The measure with the most support above 218 votes would be sent to the Senate.

House GOP leadership has been adamantly against the move, arguing it places too much power in the hands of Democrats. 

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) met with President Trump on a path forward on immigration Tuesday. 

Rep. Jared Polis (Colo.) became the second Democrat to back the discharge petition on Wednesday.

–Updated at 3:09 p.m.