“I think people are much more receptive in a Democratic-controlled Congress,” Gonzalez told The Monitor in McAllen, Texas. “[Goodlatte] blocked it because he saw it as an immigration bill. I don’t see it as an immigration bill. I see that bill as a veterans bill. I think we have a responsibility to people who wore our uniform and fought for our freedom, and I think it’s one of the most shameful things we can imagine, deporting a veteran who was honorably discharged.”

Young has likewise indicated that he sees the bill through the lens of veteran protections.

“If you are willing to put your life on the line to defend this great nation and its values, you should be able to become a U.S. citizen,” Young told the Military Times. “It is inexcusable that service members who risked it all to protect us would be put through the deportation process.”

Even if it passes the House, the measure would still face long odds in the Republican-controlled Senate and on the desk of a president who has built his campaign messaging on being tough on both immigration and crime.