Koch Group Pushing Lawmakers for DACA Fix

A group backed by the billionaire Republican donors Charles and David Koch is launching an ad campaign urging lawmakers to pass a permanent solution for DACA recipients.

The Libre Initiative, a conservative grassroots organization focused on engaging the Hispanic community, is releasing a series of mailers on Thursday targeting 20 Republican and Democratic lawmakers in support of immigration legislation to "provide certainty for Dreamers" and strengthen the nation’s southern border. The push is part of a broader seven-figure campaign on the issue that includes broadcast and digital ads, immigration town-hall meetings, phone-banking and advocacy work.

The initiative comes as a discharge petition to force a House vote on immigration policy gains steam. The effort, led by a group of moderate GOP lawmakers, has garnered signatures from 21 Republicans, several of whom are facing tough re-election bids in swing states in November. If just five more Republicans sign on, along with all 193 Democrats in the House, the effort will be successful.

The Libre ads are aimed at members of leadership in both parties and in both chambers, as well as senators from states with growing Latino populations. "Tell Speaker Ryan, it's time for a permanent, bipartisan solution," reads one of the mailers. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi are also targets of the ads.

Others on the list include Arizona Rep. Martha McSally, who is running for the U.S. Senate and faces a potentially difficult primary in which immigration is playing an outsized role. Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, is also on the list, as is Majority Whip John Cornyn.
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