Patrick Leahy

I have supported immigration reform for years and years. Even though that is not a major issue in Vermont, I think it is a major moral issue for this country.

Make no mistake, our country has had a historic commitment to family unity because it is good for society and for our economy.

Senate bill 744 is a significant milestone and presents a historic opportunity to move forward on immigration reform.

This Committee has an opportunity to fix this problem.

I have often said that the Senators should be the conscience of the Nation. If we want to be the conscience, now is the time to show our conscience.

Americans hold immigrant integration in high regard and want to see immigrants pledge allegiance to our country.

While the bill you are considering is an excellent starting point, I submit to you that it is still incomplete.

I do not believe the Boston bombing is a reason to stop progress or consideration of this legislation.

The draft bill captures the core principles annunciated by President Obama in Las Vegas and reflects the bipartisan spirit necessary to achieve comprehensive immigration reform.

If the most powerful, wealthiest nation on earth cannot face up to reality and find a law that faces reality, then shame on us.

I want the pathway to be clear.

We do want to thank the Gang of Eight and especially Senator Leahy for your leadership in the asylum arena.

I applaud the Senators in the so-called Gang of Eight, especially my colleague Senator Flake from Arizona, who spent many months preparing this legislation.

They must be strengthened and sustained. The draft bill does this.

The dysfunction in our current immigration system affects all of us. It is time to fix it. The opportunity is now.

It is long past time for us to reform our immigration system.

We need to ensure that we do not resort to draconian bright-line limits.

This legislation seeks to ensure that the best interests of our country continue to be served.

Let us move forward. Let us have this debate. It is an open debate.

I think there are a number of areas we can work on together.

I want the most powerful Nation on Earth that we can supply our own food and our own agriculture.

Thank you very much.

Trust me, I know that orchard. I know exactly what Ms. Eastman is saying, and she stated it very, very accurately.

This bill will rectify that situation and give him and many others the labor they need.

I expect we are going to have a lot of debate.