Political Quotes

“I thank the Chair. Let me close by addressing another critically important amendment which is not being allowed with this bill. It is one of which I am a cosponsor with Senators Kennedy and Jack Reed of Rhode Island and Harry Reid of Nevada. It is entitled the Latino and Immigrant Fairness Act. There are many issues which come to the floor of the Senate, but there are few that enjoy the endorsement and support of both the AFL-CIO and the national Chamber of Commerce. This bill is one of them. What we wanted to propose as an amendment was a change in our immigration laws to deal with some issues that are truly unfair. While we look to address the needs of the tech industry, we should not do it with blinders on. There are many other sectors of this robust economy-- perhaps not as glamorous as the latest 'dot-com' company but still very much in need of able and energetic workers--that have difficulty finding workers they need in the domestic workforce. Oddly enough, many of these workers are already here. They are on the job. They are raising families. They are contributing to their communities. They are paying taxes. But they are reluctant to step forward. I am speaking now of immigrants who come to this country in search of a better life.”