[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 39 (Friday, March 31, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S2698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                PROGRAM

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, on Monday, the Senate will resume 
consideration of the border security bill. Last night, Senator 
Alexander offered his widely supported Strengthening American 
Citizenship Act. This legislation is reasonable, it is patriotic, and 
it will help newly arrived immigrants learn the responsibilities, the 
habits, and the privileges of American citizenship.
  I had hoped that today we would have locked in a vote on that 
amendment and the Bingaman amendment for Monday. Unfortunately, the 
other side objected to allowing a vote on the Alexander amendment. I 
mention that only because it leaves me concerned that the other side 
may be falling into this pattern of delay and obstruction.
  As I said and implied in all of my statements since we have started 
on this bill, we need to proceed in a civil way, a dignified way, and 
consider these amendments as soon as they are ready. I would encourage 
all of our colleagues to work aggressively to help bring this bill to 
closure over the next several days. We are right where I thought we 
would be in terms of finishing this bill, but it does mean that we are 
going to have to work together, come together and address substantive 
amendments in a substantive way and vote on those.
  In closing--and I will close in a few seconds--if we don't come 
together, it means that we are not going to fulfill our responsibility 
to address these very important issues of border security, of the 11 
million to 12 million people who are in this country under the 
temporary worker program that is being considered. We absolutely must 
have substantive debate and discussion that respects that we are a 
nation of the rule of law and a proud nation of immigrants, legal 
immigrants who have come to this country to work and contribute so much 
to our society.
  So I hope that we will get back on track on Monday. We will be voting 
Monday afternoon at approximately 5:30. We will try to get a unanimous 
consent for votes on the pending amendments, and Members should expect 
at least two votes Monday evening.

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