Tuesday, March 25, 2014
House Democrats Try to Get a Vote on Comprehensive Immigration Reform
This article discusses how house democrats are trying to use a discharge petition to get a vote on Immigration Reform. Republicans have already said that they oppose sweeping reform and think that this issue should be handled in smaller pieces of legislation, but have yet to move on any legislation on this issue. It is unlikely that Democrats will get the mandatory majority to force a vote, but they are clearly trying to focus more attention on an issue which will help them in the upcoming election. On other recent issues such as minimum wage, Democrats have failed to get the majority needed on similar petitions earlier this year; but are desperate for another issue besides Obamacare to focus on in November.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This seems like a pretty desperate move on the democrats part. It seems like they know they're not going to reach enough signatures, but they're doing it anyway. Sounds like a waste of time to me. They could be working on other issues that they actually think they could make progress on, but instead they choose to do this. I support immigration reform and I hope something gets done soon, but I don't think this is the way of going about it.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this move by the Democrats is almost being made in an effort similar to the filibuster efforts of the Republican Party to repeal Obamacare. There isn't much of a point, it seems, and they are just trying to attract attention to their party. I really don't see the point in this move and how it is a good thing. Like what was said at the end of the article, "if they had 218 supporters, this wouldn't be an issue."
ReplyDeleteI like seeing some action taking by the democrats on what they believe. Even though they do not believe they can win, a strong statement can be almost as effective in my opinion. I also find it interesting that three of the co-sponsor's are republican. Though there are 200, it is still an important three to me.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ian that although this move may be unsuccessful, it's worth a shot. With the election season approaching, we will probably see more and more actions by both parties, whether these moves are successful or not. Both parties want to appear hardworking in Washington in America's eyes, and this discharge petition is an example of that. I don't think this is a waste of time because anything that can help in the upcoming election could be useful to the party.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like the Democrats are getting slightly desperate, but I think that it is good that they are trying to get something done. I think Ian brings up a good point, "a strong statement can be almost as effective." It is similar to filibustering, where even the threat can be sometimes more effective than an actual filibuster.
ReplyDeleteI concur with my classmates in that this stunt pulled by the Democrats is seemingly pointless. Although, we wouldn't be talking about this topic if they hadn't used this strategy. It is clear to me that the Democrats' bag of tricks to try and pass some type, any type (at this point,) of immigration reform is, well, depleted. It has been for some time. This is not plan A, B, C, or D...rather plan Z.
ReplyDeleteAt this point almost any issue that the Democrats bring up, Republicans in the House will fight them on and try to prevent passage. Drawing up discharge petitions such as this one draws more light to the issues that they feel strongly about which due to the gridlocked Congress is one of the only things they can do right now. Unfortunately this strategy will probably not get any legislation passed, at least not in the near future.
ReplyDeleteIt's disappointing that issues like increase in minimum wage and unemployment benefits extension have just over 190 signatures, out of the necessary 218, and are struggling to survive. It seems like this immigration reform petition will have a similar outcome. This is definitely not a surprise to anyone either, and the Democrats seem to be looking for more attention on the issue of immigration at this time. I don't think this is necessarily a waste of time if it is an election year and petitions like this one are making more people think about immigration reform and how to make it happen.
ReplyDeleteI think it's bizarre that these issues aren't being adressed. We have huge numbers of people and families living in poverty, a lot of them immigrants, and a lot of people don't seem like they're wanting to help because of small government doctrines or business loyalties. All my comments just seem to be about bashing Republicans, but I really get angry every time I read a political article, and I wish issues were adressed more.
ReplyDeleteSurprisingly, I agree with John Boehner. I think that immigration bills should be passed step by step rather than in one big bill. However, even though some people are against the petition, I am not surprised that they "pulled this move" because the Democrats are in the minority. But I do agree with Casey that it isn't necessarily a waste of time during an election. It could possibly bring immigration reform or immigration in general to the forefront of voters' minds.
ReplyDeleteLike Sam, I agree with John Boehner. Big issues like immigration should be looked at and conquered in smaller bits and pieces. I feel the more concise the topic, the easier it is to focus on separate aspects of immigration, and, therefore, make the right choice in the end.
ReplyDeleteI think that something as important as immigration will need bipartisan support to be passed. There is no way that a bill this massive will be passed if it doesn't. It will be filibustered or something. I would agree that something like immigration reform should be tackled in little bits and pieces, but I do not think that the first focus should be border security. I think that the focus should be on how best to improve the immigration system.
ReplyDeleteI agree with my classmates that Democrats don't actually believe they will be successful in their attempts to force a vote, but they are making these hopeless attempts to make a point and show they will not give up on an issue they feel adamant about. I also agree with Michaela. Bills on issues as frequently contested as immigration reform should be passed with bipartisan support to ensure that Americans with all different political views can find something favorable in the agreed upon solution.
ReplyDeleteI understand that it's good to stand for your beliefs whatever the outcome, but I think in this case it really is just a waste of time. With so much effort (and of course $$$) wasted on elections, where is the focus for the priorities? Yarrow is saying it's good that they're “trying to get something done,” but if they know that it won't pass, are they really doing for progress?
ReplyDeleteIn this case, i actually agree with speaker John Boehner. Immigration reform is complex enough to require more specific legislation that can focus in on certain aspects of immigration. A large sweeping bill, if it passes, will be so fraught with watered down compromise, earmarks, and ambiguity that it will accomplish nothing. The Democrats do not have enough popular support to assume that they can just spawn large legislation without opposition. A bill that size will need careful planning and execution if it is to succeed.
ReplyDeleteUnlike some of my classmates I don't really agree with John Boehner. I understand the validity of his statement, that passing immigration reform is best done in small bits, but I do not believe that that is actually getting done. While probably partially a political stunt on the part of the Democrats, I think that this was a valuable move because it draws attention to the topic that nothing has really been done with recently. Trying to do this piece by piece does have its merits. It ensures that more focus will be put on certain issues. But with our congress as divided as it is, will smaller bills get passed if there isn't anything to sway the two sides to join together? As Griffin said a large bill could just get watered down with compromise, but there would be some change at least in comparison to smaller bills where there isn't as much pressure to get them passed.
ReplyDeleteIt seems absolutely pointless for the Democrats to do this. Why would they even admit that they are going to lose? If you're going to go for it, go all out and try to win it. But if you know that you're going to lose, why waste everyone's time and money?
ReplyDelete