Political Quotes

“Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I don't think we are in disagreement on the Senate floor on this matter. I think we all agree that noncitizens who are convicted of serious violent crimes--who have committed serious violent crimes--should be detained, and they should be subject to removal proceedings. The good news is that is the current law. That is the current law. This bill is a reiteration of current law. Let me tell you what current law requires. Current law requires the detention of any individual with serious criminal convictions, including those who have committed crimes of violence or theft offenses, including murder, rape, and assault. That is the current law. Furthermore, this administration has given specific direction to the Department of Justice to prioritize the detention or removal of individuals who have committed violent offenses. And so, as with earlier unanimous consent requests, this unanimous consent request is essentially a reiteration of current law. I have a great deal of respect for my colleague. We worked together on a number of important matters. But I find myself asking the question, Why are we being asked to simply restate current law when it comes to the detainment or removal of immigrants who have committed violent crimes who right now are subject to removal for those crimes? And I come to two conclusions: The first is that it is a means of distracting the conversation from the vote that is going to happen in an hour and a half.…”