Hoyer Statement on Republicans' Partisan, Anti-Immigrant Bill

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after House Republicans' passed H.R. 3009:

“I was very disappointed that House Republicans passed yet another partisan, anti-immigrant bill today. While this Republican bill claims to be a legislative solution to the tragic shooting in San Francisco earlier this month, it would have done nothing to prevent this tragedy. Those convicted of committing acts of criminal violence must always face the full force of the law. However, this legislation would only undermine the trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement.  Second-guessing decisions made by law enforcement, withholding public safety funding, and demonizing immigrants will neither make our communities safer nor fix our broken immigration system. 

“For the overwhelming majority of undocumented immigrants, who have been living in our country for years and want nothing more than to contribute to building our country as law-abiding members of society, Congress has a responsibility to end their legal limbo and pass comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders, respects the rule of law, and includes a pathway to citizenship.  I have continued to call on Republicans to allow a comprehensive immigration reform bill to come to the Floor for consideration and a vote since they took control of the House in 2011, yet they have refused to do so.  I urge them to cease this endless delay and work with Democrats to bring reform legislation to the Floor.”