Xavier Becerra: “Please, Members, do not confuse the term foreign national with what this bill really does, and that is it goes after…”

“Please, Members, do not confuse the term foreign national with what this bill really does, and that is it goes after lawful permanent residents. Foreign nationals are people who may be visiting, may be coming to this country on occasion, but they are nationals, citizens of another country and do not have intentions of staying. Lawful permanent residents are exactly what the term says, they are lawfully here, they are permanently here and they are on their way to becoming U.S. citizens. This amendment is a sweeping indictment of the 8 or 10 million people who are lawful permanent residents, 2 million of whom are waiting up to 3 years to become U.S. citizens. This amendment is telling all those folks, tough luck. This Congress has been very good at stripping rights from lawful permanent residents, but it is very bad, and I am willing to give them what they deserve, the opportunity to participate. We tax lawful permanent residents. We expect them to defend this country in times of war, and they do, and we have Medal of Honor winners to prove it. We expect them to adopt a civil life in America, yet we want to now with this amendment exclude them from future participation. Members should vote against this amendment if they are serious about campaign reform. Vote against this amendment.”