Border Security and Immigration Reform

Floor Speech

Ms. LINDA T. SÁNCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose the Resolution to the Rule.

Yesterday's decision to pull the border bill was an embarrassment for Republican leadership and they are now trying to save face by circumventing democracy. The use of `martial law' authority was designed to stifle debate and rush legislation to keep the American people out of the loop.

Had we passed bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform, we would not be in this situation today. Thousands of children would not be in limbo. Instead many of these children would be legally reunited with their families--without--the need to take the dangerous journey to get to the U.S.

My Republican colleagues like to blame the President for the number of children making the perilous journey. They need to look at their own inaction from the past year. Instead of passing comprehensive immigration reform which would greatly benefit our country, they continue to hold our country hostage through obstruction. Shame on them for sitting on their hands, then blaming others for a crisis they helped create.

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