Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today encouraged that comprehensive immigration reform is moving now that a framework has been released by our colleagues in the Senate. The 23rd Congressional District, which I represent, runs some 800 miles along the Texas-Mexico border and includes five ports of entry. No other congressional district shares a larger border with Mexico. After more than two decades, I'm encouraged that our friends in the Senate are taking steps and we finally have this framework. I look forward to working in a bipartisan and bicameral way to get it done this way. Our values teach us that our families should stick together and that hard work, not circumstance, should shape our future. I believe that our Nation becomes stronger as more people pledge allegiance to our flag and commit themselves fully to our Nation and to our economy. Last week I asked the Senate Gang of Eight to give special consideration to members of the armed services who risk their lives every day for our country and our families--it's particularly important to folks and families at Joint Base Lackland in San Antonio, Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, and Fort Bliss in El Paso--and requested that comprehensive immigration reform eliminate the 3- and 10-year bar on spouses for spouses, prevent the termination of petitions of spouses and children of fallen heroes, and streamline the naturalization process for those deployed overseas.…”