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.
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
There are only 8 legislative days remaining before the end of the year, yet House Republicans wasted this week on bills that will not advance in the Senate, become law or address any of the time sensitive issues Congress must pass before the end of the year.I am disappointed that instead of taking action on critical legislation, including a budget agreement that replac
“Mr. Speaker, I see four people in the gallery. I see three Members on the Floor. The galleries are empty. The Floor is empty. Because we are not doing anything. And it's not because we don't have a lot of things to do. We have six – seven if you count tomorrow, where we will leave by 12:00 – six full days left in the session in 2013. And yet we fiddle here while the country sees itself burning.
We wanted to make sure you saw today’s New York Times editorial imploring House Speaker John Boehner to drop the excuses and act on comprehensive immigration reform legislation in the House of Representatives this year:
We’ve gotten a preview of House Republicans’ agenda for 2014, courtesy of Politico, and here’s a hint: there’s not much to it. As in, it’s completely non-existent:
“Last Thursday, a group of House Republicans filed into Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s Capitol office suite and received a blank piece of paper labeled ‘Agenda 2014.’”
“Another issue which you did not mention, Mr. Leader, is immigration. As you know, this issue passed very handily through the United States Senate on a vote of 68-32, and I'm very hopeful that we could move this legislation.
“Another issue which you did not mention, Mr. Leader, is immigration. As you know, this issue passed very handily through the United States Senate on a vote of 68-32, and I'm very hopeful that we could move this legislation.
Despite strong support from the American people for comprehensive immigration reform – and a growing number of House Republicans supporting it or signing on as cosponsors to H.R. 15 – Speaker John Boehner has already decided the Republican-led House will not be taking action. According to Roll Call:
“Thank you very much I appreciate it. Congressman Cardenas has been a leader on this issue, as have all the Members here.
With less than 20 legislative days scheduled for the remainder of the year, there are a number of critical issues that Congress should take action on immediately.
With less than 20 legislative days scheduled for the remainder of the year, there are a number of critical issues that Congress should take action on immediately.