[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 15, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to speak about 
legislation that will create jobs, grow our economy, and reduce our 
deficit. This legislation has already passed the Senate, and the 
American people are still waiting for the House to do its part. I am 
speaking about comprehensive immigration reform.
  The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicts that over the 
next 10 years, fixing our broken immigration system will promote job 
creation and wage increases, cut the deficit by nearly $158 billion, 
and increase America's GDP by over $800 billion.
  This bill will be an economic benefit, and it is also the right thing 
to do for the 11 million immigrant families living in the shadows.
  Think about what this legislation means for those families who are 
facing many challenges, not unlike the difficulties earlier Irish, 
Italian, Portuguese and French immigrants faced when they arrived in 
this great country.
  Diversity is a great strength of this country. We are a nation of 
immigrants, and our laws should reflect our values that, if you work 
hard and contribute to society, you can provide a life for yourself and 
your family.
  It is time to enact comprehensive immigration reform so we can create 
jobs, grow our economy, secure our borders, and ensure that the 
American Dream remains a real opportunity for all future generations.
  The American people deserve a vote on this critical legislation, and 
I urge my colleagues and I urge the Speaker to bring this bill to the 
floor so we can fix our broken immigration system and enact 
comprehensive reform that will make a real difference, not only in our 
economy, but in the lives of millions and millions of people.

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