Political Quotes

“Mr. President, this amendment, if enacted, would require fast-track congressional approval at the introduction of the Department of Homeland Security strategies before the award of registered provisional immigrant--or RPI--status begins and at the certification of the strategy's completion before those receiving RPI status become eligible for green cards. The basic point of this amendment is that we have a trigger that needs to signal that it is OK to open the RPI process, the process by which illegal aliens will be legalized first and then eventually made citizens. Somebody needs to signal that it is OK to pull that trigger, that it is OK to proceed. I think that decision needs to be made right here in the U.S. Congress. This would occur pursuant to a fast-track plan of no more than 30 days. It would not be subject to a filibuster; it would be subject only to a 51-vote threshold. We should pass this amendment and we should move forward. For these reasons, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this amendment, to preserve the right of the people to be heard. If we cut out Congress, we are cutting out the right of the American people to be heard on this issue and the right of the American people to decide when and under what circumstances it is OK to continue the pathway to citizenship. For this reason, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?…”