The current status has now lost its Democratic legitimacy to the extent that the people of Puerto Rico ever consented to this status, such consent has been withdrawn.

For the first time ever, this is important.

In closing, I want to make this point. ... it is more important for me to secure justice for my people than it is for me to be polite.

This budget-neutral amendment, which I offer with Mr. Young of Alaska, would enable DOD to remove unexploded ordnance from land in Culebra, Puerto Rico, which was used as a military training range for seven decades. In 1974, Congress…

That's absolutely right. So I will withdraw my amendment. But let me just say that, again, this is one property. It's only one property out of thousands of properties facing these circumstances. So I hope we can work it out. It's not going…

As we approach the birthday of the late Dr. Jose Celso Barbosa, the father of the statehood movement in Puerto Rico, I rise to update my colleagues on the progress that has been made to resolve the territory's political status. Last…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following: Sec. __. None of the funds made…

The enforcement-only approach offered by the SAFE Act falls short of accomplishing what America needs.

We're seeking a comprehensive solution. We want to address all aspects of this.

I support comprehensive immigration reform as the best course of action for Congress and America.

It's a very risky approach to a complicated problem and could cause great harm to communities everywhere.

I offered this amendment last year, and it was adopted by voice vote. However, it was not included in the final Consolidated Appropriations Act enacted in March. The homicide rate in Puerto Rico is about three times higher than any State…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following: Sec. __. None of the funds made…

I want to begin by expressing my strong support for the passage of comprehensive immigration reform legislation during this session of Congress.

improves our immigration system, keeps our communities safe, and protects our borders.

comprehensive reform will significantly improve public safety.

If we try to plug the U.S. border with Mexico without increasing security in America's Caribbean border, we're just going to displace the criminal activity from one U.S. border to another.

provide a sensible means to deal with the immigrants who are currently in the country without legal status but are of good character, pay taxes, and are committed to continuing to contribute to our society.