CAPAC and Democratic Leaders on One-Year Anniversary of Senate Immigration Reform Bill
Washington, D.C. – Today marks the one year anniversary since the Senate introduced S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. In June 2013, the Senate passed this bipartisan comprehensive immigration bill by a vote of 68 to 32. The legislation reunites families, helps secure our borders, protects our workers, provides an earned pathway to citizenship, and creates jobs. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus released the following statements:
Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:
“It’s been a year since the Senate introduced S. 744, 10 months since they passed it, and 28 weeks since I introduced H.R. 15, a bipartisan House immigration bill. Since then, the American people have waited for Congress to do the right thing, but Congressional Republicans have continued to turn a deaf ear to their demands. We must vote to keep families together, allow bright minds to contribute to our society, and ensure those in the shadow can finally call this nation their home. Far too much is at stake – we cannot allow politics to overshadow the will of the people.”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA-12):
“Today marks a full year since a bipartisan group of Senate leaders introduced comprehensive immigration reform legislation in the Senate. The legislation they introduced would secure our borders, protect our workers, unite our families, and provide an earned pathway to citizenship. It would create jobs, reduce the deficit, and restore confidence in our values as a nation. It was debated, amended, and passed through the Senate by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of 68 to 32.
“Yet within that same year, House Republicans have done nothing but offer excuses for their failure to act. Instead of allowing a vote on the bipartisan comprehensive immigration our nation wants and needs, House Republicans break promises, abandon their principles, and vote to deport bright young DREAMers from the only country they have ever known.
“The American people are sick and tired of House Republican obstruction, and House Democrats are demanding a vote. With 200 cosponsors of bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform in the House, and 30 Republicans who have expressed public support for reforming our broken immigration system, the votes are there. House Republicans should stop making excuses and start making progress on this essential issue. It is time for the House to act on bipartisan legislation similar to the Senate bill, H.R. 15: comprehensive immigration reform legislation that creates jobs, fuels innovation, empowers small business, grows our economy and reduces the deficit.”
Congressman Xavier Becerra (CA-34), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus:
“One year ago, the Senate put forward a bipartisan solution for our broken immigration system. And 293 days ago, bipartisan immigration reform legislation passed the Senate. The question for House Republican leaders is: when will the House finally do its job and vote on comprehensive immigration reform? The American people agree that our country and our economy can’t afford any more delay. Each day of inaction is measured in the thousands of families separated from loved ones and in lost economic growth. It’s been seven months since House Democrats proposed H.R. 15, a bipartisan solution to our dysfunctional immigration laws. It’s time for a vote.”
Senator Mazie K. Hirono (HI):
“One year ago, my Senate colleagues and I came together to introduce a comprehensive bill to address our broken immigration system, which we passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. Not only would our bill strengthen our economy and reduce the deficit, but it would also help real people by bringing millions of families out of the shadows, reunifying Filipino World War II veterans with their children and making DREAM Act students eligible for federal student aid. Each day House Republicans fail to act, families are suffering and are kept apart. It is past time for the House to take action on immigration reform.”
Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Immigration Taskforce Co-Chair:
“Today marks the one year anniversary of the introduction of S. 744, the Senate Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill, which passed with bipartisan support. We must pass the House version, H.R. 15, to bring 11 million people out of the shadows. I know that we have the votes to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Speaker Boehner should allow the House to do its job and vote on this important legislation that will reunite families, help businesses hire highly-skilled talent through H1B visas, lure great entrepreneurial immigrants, and generate billions of dollars for our economy.”
Congressman Eni Faleomavaega (AS), CAPAC Immigration Taskforce Co-Chair:
“It has been one year since the introduction of S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. The Senate’s comprehensive immigration reform bill was the first of many steps to address the failures of our current immigration system. Now, more than ever, the House must build on this momentum and move forward on this critical issue. The Senate has done their part. It is time for the House to bring immigration reform legislation to a vote.”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13):
“The Senate passed immigration reform last year and just last week the Congressional Budget Office found that passing H.R. 15 would reduce the deficit by $900 billion over the next two decades: the economic benefits are clear! But that’s not the only reason. Our system has been broken for far too long. In my own district, there are heart-wrenching stories of families who came here for a chance at the American dream only to have been torn apart and separated. Now is the time to pass a fair immigration plan that provides opportunities to those who want to come here legally, helps grow our economy, and provides a pathway to citizenship. It’s been a year. The House must act.”
Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06):
“One year ago, a coalition of bipartisan Senators introduced a comprehensive immigration reform bill that promised long-overdue humane changes to our broken immigration system. Ten months after the legislation passed the Senate with strong support, House GOP leaders still refuse to act on any reform proposals. This is unacceptable and must change. There must be no more delay and no more excuses. This isn’t an issue for after the mid-term elections, the 114th Congress or the next President. The time to fix our broken immigration system is now.”
Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA-47):
“It has been one year since the Senate introduced the bipartisan Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, S. 744. I stand with nearly 200 of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as a cosponsor of the House companion legislation, H.R. 15. One year since the introduction of the Senate comprehensive immigration reform legislation, it is long past time for the House to debate and pass CIR. The American people demand that we fix our broken immigration system and provide a pathway to citizenship. They have waited long enough for Congress to take action and pass immigration reform. I call on Speaker Boehner to bring H.R. 15 to the floor immediately so that we can keep millions of families together and spur economic growth across our country.”
Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52):
“There is no time like the present to pass comprehensive reform to what everyone acknowledges is a broken immigration system. The Senate acted last year and our House version would pass if the Republican Majority gave it a vote. We have a unique chance to make necessary reforms, reduce the deficit by $900 billion, and grow the economy – we should take it. I’ll keep working with my colleagues in CAPAC and throughout the House to get this done.”
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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and Members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.