Political Quotes

“A group of 1,000 was apprehended, and 2,200 came in through El Paso, in 1 day alone, who were apprehended. We are averaging about 4,500 apprehensions a day in this country. What happened when this bill came to markup? Why is it, in my opinion, a real problem that we have a closed rule here? The Republicans offered a number of amendments. We pointed out issues that we thought were of concern. We offered amendments to address those issues, such as allowing repeat criminals and gang members to obtain green cards. We offered amendments that would allow application information regarding illegal status to be used for deportation. We attempted to prevent fraudulent applications from being filed. But none of these and a whole host of other amendments offered by Republicans were accepted, even some that were just absolutely rational, such as those with DUIs that resulted in an accident where someone was seriously injured or even killed. They were not prevented from obtaining this path of legalization. Here we are today, and now they are saying no amendments can be offered from either side of the aisle. I have essentially opposed every closed rule since I came to Congress. I think it actually undermines this process where we represent districts and come to try to offer amendments. I have offered many amendments and had them all shut down, quite frankly, whether by vote or in the Rules Committee.…”