Comprehensive Immigration Reform
The United States is a nation of immigrants, and we recognize the contributions made by Americans who came to this country from all over the world to make a new home and pursue the American Dream. That’s why House Democrats continue to work for common sense, comprehensive, and balanced immigration reform: reform that secures our borders, respects the rule of law, and provides immigrants with a fair chance of achieving the American Dream. We believe that if you work hard and play by the rules, you should have a chance at building a future here in America. Comprehensive immigration reform would be good for the American economy and help our fiscal outlook. House Democrats have worked to establish a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and T.P.S. and D.E.D. status holders by twice-passing the bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act, which Republicans continue to obstruct in the Senate. House Democrats also passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to reform the H-2A guestworker program to allow those contributing to our agricultural economy to remain in America. President Biden has taken action to restore the DACA program, end wasteful spending on an ineffective border wall, and reaffirm America’s values. Democrats will continue to partner with the Biden Administration to help Dreamers, fix American’s broken immigration system and ensure that it strengthens America and grows our economy.
I was deeply disappointed that the House passed an appropriation bill for the Department of Homeland Security that included partisan, poison-pill amendments to deport DREAMers and tear immigrant families apart.
We are now considering a bill which is central to the protection of Americans and America from those who would, through terrorist activities, put our people at risk.
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke on the House Floor this evening in opposition to the partisan amendments House Republicans have attached to must-pass legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Below is a transcript of his remarks and a link to the video.
Well, very frankly, we have on the Floor this week, as you know, the funding of the Department of Homeland Security, which is designed to keep our country and our people safe.
Today’s GOP quote of the day is another reminder that it’s time for Republicans to take action to fix our nation’s broken immigration system, courtesy of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC):
After Republicans refused to take up comprehensive immigration reform this Congress and instead focused on partisan bills to respond to the President’s executive actions, we wanted to make sure you saw today’s new poll showing the majority of Americans agree with Democrats that it’s time for Congress to act on comprehensive reform:
Four years ago today, the Democratic Majority in the House brought to the Floor and passed legislation to end the threat of deportation for law-abiding, undocumented immigrants who were brought here as children and have known no other home than America.
It is very disappointing that the Republican Majority in the House wasted Congress’s time today on a partisan bill that will undermine the President’s executive actions to strengthen our borders, keep families together, and focus enforcement efforts on criminals.
Everybody in that body believes the immigration system is broken.
Congress needs to pass legislation funding the entire government before adjourning for the year, but as the scheduled adjournment date of December 11 nears, Republicans continue to threaten another harmful, costly government shutdown.