WASHINGTON -- Rep.
"Immigration reform in the House cannot wait," the freshman lawmaker said in a statement.
Valadao follows Rep.
Valadao said he was eager to demonstrate to the GOP leadership "broad support within the party to address immigration reform in the House by the end of the year."
As they had when Denham announced his support last weekend, immigration proponents praised Valadao.
"Another day, another crack in the dam blocking immigration reform,'' said Frank Sharry, the head of America's Voice, an immigration reform advocacy group.
"We are thrilled," added Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. "It shows there are Republicans in the House who are serious about moving immigration reform forward.
"The ball is on Speaker [
Valadao and Denham have been joined by only one other Republican -- Rep.
Some California Republicans in
Boehner (R-Ohio) has rejected bringing the Senate bill up for a vote in the House, favoring a "step-by-step approach that gives Americans confidence that reform is done the right way."
Valadao, Denham and Rep.