Washington, D.C. -  U.S. Rep. Timothy V. Johnson today signed the discharge petition to move the Secure America Though Verification and Enforcement Act a step closer to a vote on the House floor.

The so-called SAVE Act, H.R. 4088, would strengthen the nation’s borders and ensure that employers verify that their workers are legal. Sponsored by Reps. Brian Bilbray, R-CA, and Heath Shuler, D-NC, this bipartisan bill has been held in committee, preventing Congress from acting on a piece of legislation the electorate has asked for.

Rep. Johnson’s signature is the 190^th signature on the petition to discharge, while 218 are required.

“The decision to sign this petition is not done lightly. I have always believed strongly in the integrity and importance of the committee process,” Rep. Johnson said. “However in the last 18 months, I believe the will of the people and the process of democracy has been thwarted by congressional leaders who are motivated by their own political agenda rather than compelling national interests.

“The immigration problem is not going away. It’s time for the rank-and-file to step up and demand action,” said Rep. Johnson, who is also a cosponsor of H.R. 4088.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court turned aside a legal challenge to halt construction of a border fence along the U.S.-Mexico border. The court decision gives the SAVE Act additional momentum.

Rep. Johnson signed the discharge petition on the SAVE Act the same day he signed a discharge petition on the Broadcast Freedom Act.

“These are firsts in my more than 30 years in public office and decisions I take very seriously,” Rep. Johnson said. “However in my career I have never witnessed such distortion of power as I have witnessed in this period of Congress. Overwhelming public opinion on these issues demands we respond with whatever tools are at our disposal.”

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