OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

House Democrats Unveil Economic Agenda; Republicans Should Work With Democrats to Address Border Crisis

Press Release

Date: July 18, 2014
Issues: Transportation Unemployed and Low-Income Employment and Affirmative Action Immigration

On Wednesday, House Democrats revealed our new economic agenda geared at jumpstarting the middle class and ensuring that everyone can Make It In America. The American people want a Congress that is on their side, not a Congress that says: "You're on your own." While House Republicans waste time and taxpayers' dollars on political lawsuits and ignore the many time-sensitive legislative priorities before them, Democrats are committed to addressing the priorities of the American people. I hope House Republicans will abandon their partisan obstruction and begin to work with us on addressing these important issues, including creating jobs, fixing our broken immigration system, renewing emergency unemployment insurance, and raising the minimum wage for millions of hard-working Americans.

This week, the House passed a bill to reauthorize the Highway Trust Fund for eight more months. I was disappointed that House Republicans brought this stopgap legislation to the Floor, rather than work with Democrats on a long-term, sustainable funding source for the Highway Trust Fund and for our broader infrastructure needs. While I voted for the bill because we cannot allow the Highway Trust Fund to run out during the peak of the summer construction season, I urge House Republicans to work with Democrats on a long-term solution.

I was also disappointed that House Republicans did not take up the President's supplemental request to address the humanitarian crisis at the border. The request would provide a number of critical resources to alleviate this crisis, including additional immigration judges. Congress needs to act quickly, before resources available to handle the situation are stretched even further. At the same time, the crisis at the border shows the need to act on comprehensive immigration reform, and I continue to urge Speaker Boehner to allow the House to debate and vote on reform legislation.

Sincerely yours,


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