Harry Reid: “I appreciate your courtesy so very much. Mr. President, the Democrats continue to fight for strong border enforcement…”

“I appreciate your courtesy so very much. Mr. President, the Democrats continue to fight for strong border enforcement and comprehensive immigration reform. This compromise is the second bipartisan plan we have supported, this Martinez amendment which is now before the Senate. We are happy to welcome Senator Frist. He has been very cooperative in working to get this bill where it is now, to the Senate, at this time. It is a comprehensive, tough, smart approach that we have advocated all along. Unfortunately, other Republicans seem intent on delaying and defeating this compromise. We are ready to move forward, but a group of Republican Senators want to slow this matter down, it appears. If not for them, this legislation could move forward. We would head into the recess with a bipartisan victory for the American people. Although this compromise is not perfect, it still is the right comprehensive approach. It is ``enforcement plus,'' tough reforms to protect our border and crack down on employers who hire illegally plus it will bring the millions of undocumented immigrants out of the shadows. The Republicans are divided, obviously, on this issue. We must protect this fragile compromise and those bent on gutting this bill with hostile amendments. We still must ensure that this comprehensive approach is not lost when the bill reaches conference with the House of Representatives.…”