Patsy T. Mink: “Today we are considering the conference report on the so-called Labor-HHS FY2000 appropriation measure, even though this…”

To state that legal permanent residents should only be allowed to exercise their constitutional right of free speech when they become U.S. citizens displays a dangerous misunderstanding of constitutional law.

The bill must originate in the House of Representatives. We must be given the opportunity to debate and amend this measure.

Although adopting these bills through a series of continuing resolutions is very costly to the taxpayers, it provides us with time to debate and amend these measures properly and constitutionally.

The Republican leadership has provided us with no opportunity to amend this measure. We are being denied the opportunity to offer an amendment on behalf of our constituencies.