Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference Opposing Republican Amendments to Prevent DREAMers from Serving in the Military
Mariel Saez 202-225-3130
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke at a press conference this afternoon with Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) and Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to urge Members to defeat Republican amendments to the defense appropriations bill, which would prevent DREAMers from serving in the military. Below is a transcript of his remarks:
“Thank you so much. I am pleased to be here. Thank you very much for organizing this press conference.
“Today is the fourth anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals [DACA] program. It’s something that needs to be celebrated, an action the President took which was consistent with America’s values. But instead of joining with us to help DREAMers, House Republicans will mark this anniversary by bringing two amendments to the Floor to ban DREAMers from serving in the military. I just came from the Floor speaking against the rule, one of this being the reasons.
“House Republicans refused to consider an amendment banning LGBT discrimination. But they are now working to ban young people, immigrants brought here as children through no fault of their own, from serving their country.
“Once again, the anti-immigrant, anti-LGBT positions House Republicans share with their presumptive Presidential nominee are on full display. Speaker Ryan claims that his party does not prey on people’s prejudice. Yet, this amendment seems to be based in precisely that: prejudice against immigrants.
“We are, of course, a nation of immigrants. My father came here at the age of 34 from Denmark—he was an immigrant.
“House Democrats are united in opposing these amendments, and we urge House Republicans to join in defeating this.
“I want to thank Rep. [Ruben] Gallego, [Congressional Hispanic Caucus] Chair [Linda] Sanchez, the rest of the Hispanic Caucus, and all of our Democratic Members in saying DACA was a step forward for America’s inclusiveness and effectiveness and living out its principles of inclusion. It is a shame that we are having too many bills on the Floor which do not reflect America’s values. Thank you very much.”