Political Quotes

“So if the use of Federal power to preempt a State requires such an extremely high threshold, how can one reconcile that with the administration's decision to file a lawsuit? My bill sends a message to the administration that it cannot use the crushing force and threat and reality of litigation to intimidate local officials or to scare them into inaction. It would allow a State or a municipal government the ability, the right, to recover attorney's fees and other court costs associated with defending a Federal challenge of their immigration laws. In other words, this straightforward legislation just simply levels the playing field between the huge power of the Federal Government in one corner, as I said, and the right of local communities in States to pass laws to protect their citizens. It carries this simple message to any administration: If you file a lawsuit and lose, cities and States will not face depleted resources as a result. My bill ensures that when the Federal Government takes on communities in court, the reasons are pure and based in law or else the impact on our communities will be neutralized. The administration should focus time and resources on what is the crux of this issue; that is, securing our borders and doing the job and enforcing existing immigration laws and not using litigation as a tool to send a message.”