Mark Takano: “I want to thank the gentlelady from California for yielding me some time. I'm going to switch subjects a little as I…”

“I want to thank the gentlelady from California for yielding me some time. I'm going to switch subjects a little as I want to rise today to express my support for the immigration proposal released last week by the bipartisan group of Senators called the Gang of Eight. While this bill is not perfect and I have serious doubts about several provisions in it, it shows that both sides of the aisle can work together on issues facing our Nation, that Democrats and Republicans can work together. I am pleased that the proposal provides a pathway to citizenship, a fast track for DREAMers, an increase in the number of high-skilled worker visas and an opportunity for immigrants, who have been deported on noncriminal grounds, to apply for readmittance if they have a spouse or children in the United States. I do, however, have some concerns regarding the legislation, including the fact that it fails to address binational eligible LGBT families. More than a dozen countries allow same-sex partner-sponsoring, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and many more. The United States should be no different. Keeping these loving families apart is wrong, and it's bad for the economy. Take the story of southern California residents Brian and Michael. They met in 2005, became engaged next year in Paris and were married during the brief window during which same-sex marriage was legal in California.…”