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.
“As you know, Mr. Leader, very well - as we all know - beginning tomorrow the Treasury Department will have to start using extraordinary measures because the authorization for the debt limit to be extended will end on the 7th.
The latest push for action on immigration reform comes from an unexpected source – former Republican Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL). His op-ed in POLITICO urges his Republican colleagues to take action on the issue, which would benefit the economy and national security:
“I am encouraged that House Republicans have put forward a set of principles for immigration reform and have now expressed a readiness to discuss how to fix our broken immigration system.
“I think what the President said [was] we want to work together. But if you don't work, I’m not going to be immobilized, I’m not going to forget that I’m elected by all the people to do things.
The fact is that the Senate passed in a very bipartisan way a comprehensive immigration bill.
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
This week the Republican-led House voted for the 48th time to repeal or undermine the Affordable Care Act, instead of acting to renew emergency unemployment insurance, which expired on December 28thfor more than 1.3 million Americans. Every week Congress fails to act, an additional 72,000 Americans
While House Republicans claim they want to create jobs and improve our economy, they have ignored critical legislation that would strengthen the economy.
“If, in fact, we want to help the 1.3 million people who on December 28 lost their, in efect, safety net to keep food on their table and their family intact, then [Republicans need to] offer it.
But the fact of the matter is, Chris Van Hollen is Ranking Member of the Budget Committee on our side - he has not been in any of these negotiations, nor have any of the other [members of the budget conference].
A new poll by United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection shows Americans continue to agree with Democrats and believe Congress should be focused on creating jobs rather than Republicans’ continued obsession with undermining the Affordable Care Act: