[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 4, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WAIT PATIENTLY FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM

  (Mr. SCHRADER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, the House of Representatives has had 4 
years to bring an immigration bill--any immigration bill--to a vote and 
yet has failed to do so.
  Oregon businesses, labor, farmers, farmworkers, faith-based groups, 
and human rights advocates have all patiently waited for comprehensive 
immigration reform. So have millions of Americans and people all across 
this Nation as they wait for their legal status to catch up with the 
realities of their lives as good and productive members of our society. 
Without comprehensive reforms, Oregon businesses are in peril and 
Oregon families live in constant fear.
  Many of us in the House have offered a bipartisan bill similar to the 
Senate's with better border enforcement provisions, but hard-line, 
rightwing extreme provisions have hamstrung any action on these bills.
  As a result of the intolerable congressional inaction, the President 
has issued executive orders to protect folks who have immigrated to 
this country and been productive members of society and the economy. 
This executive action merely prioritizes deportations for individuals 
who harm or pose a threat to our society.
  My hope had been that this action would spur comprehensive 
immigration reform. Instead, House Republicans now play games with the 
Department of Homeland Security's appropriations and put us all at 
risk.
  It is time to act.

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