Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, the Black amendment would prohibit financial assistance to any State or political subdivision that is acting in contravention of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. But this is an energy and water bill. This isn't a part of our bill. I rise in opposition to the amendment because it is, frankly, nongermane. The Department of Energy isn't involved. The Army Corps of Engineers or the Bureau of Reclamation or the regional independent agencies that are under the jurisdiction of this bill have nothing to do with the concern that the gentlewoman raises. Why are we debating immigration policy on an Energy and Water Appropriations bill? It doesn't make any sense. Frankly, the amendment would prohibit funding for State and local governments that have policies against the sharing of information related to immigration status, but State and local law enforcement routinely and automatically share biometric information with ICE that is used to determine immigration status. They do so through the same electronic system that shares these biometrics with the FBI for checks against the criminal databases. So even if this amendment were germane, I don't think the amendment is necessary or would do what the gentlewoman believes that it would do.…”