Political Quotes

“I would like to join in the debate on immigration reform, and I think my colleague from Utah who just spoke makes a couple good points--one on the substance of the legislation and the need for us to be concerned about what the eligibility is, particularly as it relates to Federal benefits, to go to a legal status, but second about the process. I do hope the process can be an open one. Not all of us are in the Gang of 8. Not all of us are on the Judiciary Committee. A number of us have what we think are improvements to this legislation to make sure that it does work and hope that there will be an openness to that over the next couple of weeks as we take up this legislation. It is my hope that, working constructively in a bipartisan fashion, we can address some of what I see as shortcomings in this legislation. I do believe our current immigration system is broken. I think it is far too easy for people to cross our borders illegally and too easy for folks to find work without authorization. I think it is also too difficult for those who seek to come here in accordance with the law. So both the legal and the illegal part of our immigration system need fixing. It can't keep up with the demand for legal immigration or stem the tide of illegal immigration. So I think reform is essential. As it stands now, however, I am concerned that the legislation will not provide the country with a lasting workable solution.…”