Political Quotes

“Mr. President, later today, the Senate will vote on the motion to proceed to legislation known as the Laken Riley Act. The loss of a child is something no parent should have to endure. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Laken Riley--by any measure, an outstanding young woman. We should do everything possible to make sure this type of tragedy never occurs again. But I do have concerns about some of the language in this legislation. Let me give you an example. This bill would mandate immigration detention for an undocumented immigrant if they are arrested for shoplifting--even if they are never charged or convicted for that offense. Most people, having paid a little attention to law enforcement review, television, movies, know the process. You steal a candy bar, a hand on the shoulder, clerk says: Wait a minute. What are you doing here? Next thing you know a policeman is called in; he arrests you for shoplifting. They then take you in and charge you with that crime. You make a plea, guilty or not guilty. Ultimately, it is resolved by a trial of some nature. That is the ordinary process. The question is whether someone should be deported the very first time that the hand reaches your shoulder with candy bar in hand but no charge of any crime. That is what this bill does. That is going a little bit too far as far as I am personally concerned.…”