On the recordDecember 11, 2019
There may be other issues when you come to other parts of the economy. We should address those issues as well, but we are going to have to do that by sitting down, just as we did in this case, with the unions, with the employers, with the stakeholders to see what the issues are and how can we craft a bipartisan solution that makes America strong, that makes our economy work. I am confident we will have a chance to do that. Now, I just want to say, some of the comments made, although I am sure made in good faith, about the bill are incorrect. The elements, the suggestion that this will be riddled with fraud is just simply incorrect. These antifraud measures are the same that were included and, in fact, in some cases are tougher than were included in the Goodlatte bill that Members supported in the last Congress. The criminal national security bars are stronger than were included in the Goodlatte bill in the last Congress. And I have heard also that these farmworkers, who have worked in the fields, who have allowed us to eat vegetables and to have a salad, that they should get in line. I will tell you a sad thing: There is no line for them. There is no line. So we are creating a line with this bill. We are allowing them to get right with the law and live lawfully, pay taxes, and do the jobs that we need them to do, that their employers need them to do, with dignity and without fear. I cannot forget going out and talking to farmworkers who are so afraid because of enforcement.…
