Political Quotes

“I close by saying that I regret we have had to consider so many amendments that related specifically to the provisions in this bill that will apply retroactively and prospectively the income of a sponsor to the income of a legal alien--I emphasize legal alien--for purposes determining eligibility for means-tested programs. Mr. President, if you represent the concerns of the millions of Americans who are represented by these organizations, if you understand the pragmatic reality of what we are about to do both to individuals and to the communities in which they live, and to the taxpayers in the communities and States in which you live, you would understand why there have been so many amendments offered on this subject. I believe that the amendment which I have offered is a reasoned middle ground. By setting a 2-year deeming provision it would give us assurance that no one would come to this country with a specific condition--whether that be pregnancy or a known medical infirmity--in order to receive U.S. taxpayer-financed medical service. Very few people are prophetic enough to know what their condition is going to be 24 months from now. By providing that this will be prospective, all persons who come into this country from this point forward, from the enactment of this bill forward, will know under what conditions they will be entering this country.”