Political Quotes

“our country today faces serious issues with our immigration policy. I appreciate the opportunity that we have before us to engage in this important debate and to work the will of the Senate on this complex matter. The legislation we have before us, the compromise reached by a number of our colleagues, has provided us with a starting point for reform of a broken immigration system and to strengthen our border security. Recognizing, however, that there are ways that we can improve upon the work of the ``grand compromise,'' as it has come to be known, I have joined with Senator Cornyn as a cosponsor of an amendment that would increase the amount of funding made available to State and local governments to mitigate the costs of public education and health care created by the inadequacy of our current immigration system. I understand from my conversations with Virginians around the State that unauthorized immigration has caused a fiscal burden on State and local governments, one which must be addressed by this Congress. The provisions of the legislation before us include a crucial State impact assistance account that would provide reimbursement for state and local entities for the vital services that they provide. The amendment that I am pleased to cosponsor adds additional funding to this account without adding a burden to taxpayers.”