David Vitter: “I bring before the Senate an important amendment, I believe, which goes to the heart of so many American concerns about…”

“I bring before the Senate an important amendment, I believe, which goes to the heart of so many American concerns about the bill before us. I must say, in the beginning discussion of this amendment, that I have grave concerns about this bill. I think it is a mistake in many aspects. I think it ignores history and ignores very specific, concrete experience. Not too long ago, in 1986, Congress passed similar measures, albeit on a much smaller scale, which ultimately and clearly failed to solve the immigration problem. I am very fearful that we are repeating history, only on a much broader, much bigger, much more dangerous scale. My amendment goes to the heart of those concerns, goes to the heart of the matter, goes to the absolute heart of what so many Americans find most objectionable about the bill on the floor. That is what I would characterize what tens of millions of Americans characterize as amnesty provisions in this bill. In introducing this amendment, let me thank the many coauthors I have who are in strong support of it: Senators Grassley, Chambliss, and Santorum. Also, I ask unanimous consent that Senator Coburn be added to this list of original cosponsors. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.”