Hoyer Statement on Senate Passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Hoyer Statement on Senate Passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform

"It Is Critical that President Bush Exert Leadership, and Dispense With the Punitive House Republican Approach"

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the Senate passed a comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform bill:

"The comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform bill passed today by the Senate is certainly not perfect legislation. However, the Senate bill clearly is preferable to the draconian and punitive legislative approach adopted in December by House Republicans, who for the first time ever would make millions of undocumented immigrants felons and those who help them subject to criminal penalties.

"I believe there is virtually unanimous agreement in the Congress that we must secure our borders and know who is entering our country. The Senate bill takes an important step in the right direction in securing our borders, while also keeping American families together and offering businesses the employees they need to thrive.

"As the process moves forward, it is critical that President Bush exert strong leadership and dispense with the unrealistic, enforcement-only approach of House Republicans. The fact is, House Republicans stand virtually isolated in this important debate, while the President, a bipartisan majority in the Senate and an overwhelming majority of House Democrats continue to advocate comprehensive legislation.

"Today's vote in the Senate sends should be a wake-up call for the right-wing of the Republican Party that its misguided views are out of step with the American people."

http://democraticwhip.house.gov/in_the_news/press_releases/index.cfm?pressReleaseID=1450