Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.) announced Wednesday he is publicly supporting and has signed on to the comprehensive immigration reform bill, H.R.15. With Rep. Valadao’s backing, there is now three House Republicans who support the bill introduced by Democrats.
“By supporting H.R. 15 I am strengthening my message: Addressing immigration reform in the House cannot wait,” Valadao said in a statement. “I am serious about making real progress and will remain committed to doing whatever it takes to repair our broken immigration system.”
Both Reps. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R.Fla.) announced their support for the bill this week, as well.
There are currently 190 co-sponsors of the bill, short of the 218 needed to get a majority of the House. Supporters of H.R. 15 argue that more House Republicans should sign on to force leadership to bring it for a vote. Until now, leaders of the GOP have failed to allow a vote on the comprehensive immigration reform bill that passed the Senate in June
The bill’s chief sponsor, Rep. Joe Garcia (D-Fla), commended Valadao’s decision to sign on to the bill. “I appreciate Congressman Valadao’s willingness to work with both sides of the aisle on comprehensive immigration reform,” announced Garcia in a statement “With his support and help, I look forward to strengthening our nation’s immigration system.”
In addition to providing the 11 million undocumented people in this country a clear path to citizenship, passing a comprehensive immigration reform bill will also benefit the U.S. economy. A study conducted by the Bipartisan Policy Center’s immigration task force found immigration reform produces economic benefits that add new, young workers who increase the size and strength of the labor force, jumpstart new housing construction, reduce deficits in the long-term, offset the aging workforce and increase wages over time.
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