Angie Craig: “I stand at this moment to very cautiously oppose the resolution and to express my reason. I say ``cautiously'' because…”

“I stand at this moment to very cautiously oppose the resolution and to express my reason. I say ``cautiously'' because of my respect for the Senator from Texas and respect for the Senator from California and all of the work they are putting into immigration and the need for comprehensive reform. None of us in the Senate argue about it, but we certainly are willing to talk about it. In fact, we have talked about it now for 1,201 days since 9/11. Mr. President, 9/11 was that day of awakening when we found out there were millions of foreign nationals in our country without documentation, and some of them were here with evil intent. Not many but some. Most are here and hardworking. Tragically enough, because of the character of an obsolete package of immigration laws, they are living in the back streets and shadows of America. They have no rights. They work hard. Many of them take their money back to their birth country. Some of them attempt to stay. That is where we are. We all know that. The Senator from California has talked about the numbers. Her State has a very big problem. I hope we can get into that debate. Let me also talk about the timing of it. I think you are going to see, if it is extended, only those who would want to extend the time of this debate. The issue of the Senator from Maryland is a very small, sensitive, important debate. It is very time sensitive.…”