Harry Reid: “I have said nonchalantly, to put it in perspective, how much I appreciate the work of the members of the Judiciary…”

“I have said nonchalantly, to put it in perspective, how much I appreciate the work of the members of the Judiciary Committee on this bill. I am not going to spend a lot of time on this other than to say I think it is so important that we understand the time people have spent on this issue. The Senator from Massachusetts, Senator Kennedy, has been working on this issue of immigration for 35 years. He has seen what has happened in years past with all the different pieces of legislation. I can remember legislative battles on the Senate floor that we had with disputes between him and Alan Simpson, the distinguished former Senator from Wyoming, who everyone knows was such a good Senator, with such a great sense of humor. Senator Leahy has, I think, done such an admirable job of being ranking member on this committee. We have gotten work done on this committee that no one ever expected could be done. And the principal reason that work was able to be accomplished is because of the relationship that was developed between the chairman and ranking member, Senator Specter and Senator Leahy. If someone had come to me a month ago and said we would be in the status we are on this immigration bill, I would have said: No, I don't think that could be accomplished. I do not think we can get a bill out of that committee.…”