Political Quotes

“I wish I didn't have to stand here tonight in strong support of this amendment, but the simple fact is that the Federal Government's lack of action made us do this. The Federal Government, through its deliberate inaction for at least the last 15 years, has created this problem, the problem of unchecked illegal immigration. From the border States to the heartland, from our largest cities to our smallest boroughs, every American has seen the impact of illegal immigration. An underground workforce that takes away jobs from American citizens and our legal immigrants, overcrowded classrooms that make it harder for children to learn, health care systems forced to the brink of bankruptcy because of unreimbursed costs, victims of crimes committed by people who should not even be in the United States. Local municipal leaders called out to the Federal Government and asked for help. I know because I was one of them. I saw serious problems in my hometown back in 2005. I came here to Washington to ask for help, and Washington turned its back on me and my citizens. Higher up, State officials across America called out to the Federal Government. They cried out for enforcement of existing immigration laws. They asked for tougher border security. Elected officials at all levels--sheriffs, mayors, Governors, county commissioners, city councilmen, State representatives--all asked for Federal help. What have they received? More words, more empty promises, more inflated statistics.…”