I do not believe and I do not think you believe, you can speak for yourself, that building a fence across a 2,000 mile southern border is the answer.

I appreciate the Ranking Member pointing out the reason for my absence.

The bill introduced last week by the bipartisan group touches on nearly every aspect of our Nation's immigration system.

I believe that justice and fairness and compassion are not incompatible with the rule of law.

That will not only provide a more secure border, but it will also enhance that cross-border commerce and trade in a way that helps grow jobs and grow the economy here in the United States.

There are those who say it has been adequately addressed in this bill.

My concern is the cartels and the human traffickers are far more nimble and are able to--an annual decision just seems to me to be unworkable.

Do you have any reason to disagree or differ with that estimate?

Can you explain to me why Congress would want to discriminate against the construction industry and treat them any differently than the agriculture industry?

I believe the figure that I have read is about 6 million American jobs depend on cross-border trade and commerce with Mexico.

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Burr) and the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Moran). The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there any other Senators in the Chamber desiring to vote? The result was…

it is perhaps an understatement to say that it has been a difficult week for our country. As Americans hold the city of Boston in their thoughts and prayers, I come to the floor to ask for another prayer for the small town of West, TX, in…