Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, scheduled for a vote on the House floor today. This bill is extreme and wrong. This bill in no way secures the border. In fact, it would only make security worse. It is an assault on asylum seekers and those who flee poverty, hunger, and violence, including unaccompanied minors and families with children. It exploits challenges on our border for political points. It adds to the human suffering of those who come to our country seeking safety and a better life. It is also about putting politics over people. We all expect our government to effectively manage our borders and thoroughly vet those who seek to enter as refugees, to join their family already in the country, or to work. We all agree on that. Instead, what we see is children are in danger, families are separated or detained, and people are dying. We need reform and we need it now. The last time Congress passed immigration reform was in 1996, 27 years ago. This Republican-led bill eliminates several legal immigration pathways, essentially making fewer people eligible for legal status while making more people deportable. Mr. Speaker, this bill is extreme and wrong. Again, session after session, we talk about reform but nothing ever passes, not a single immigration law update, again, since 1996. Time and time again, Republicans block meaningful legislation for safe and legal immigration from moving beyond this floor.…”