[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 76 (Thursday, May 10, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2604-S2605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                  Unanimous Consent Request--H.R. 1551

  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. President, I rise today to fulfill a promise to 
continue to advocate for a solution that will address the critical 
issues of securing the border and protecting young immigrants impacted 
by an uncertain future--those who are part of the DACA Program.
  Last month, I again offered legislation to extend the DACA Program 
for 3 years and to provide 3 years of increased funding for border 
security--a so-called 3-for-3 program. I think this is a way we can 
reach a compromise on this issue that will do two important things--
one, provide much needed funding to secure the border. Being from a 
border State like Arizona, I can certainly understand that. We need a 
more secure border. We need additional resources, including barriers, 
technology, and manpower, and this legislation would provide that. At 
the same time, it would provide protection for those kids--numbering 
about 800,000 and many more eligible as well--who face an uncertain 
future because we haven't been able to extend or to make permanent this 
program.
  By the way, these are kids who were brought across the border through 
no fault of their own when their average median age, I think, was about 
6 years old. It is not their fault that they were brought here this 
way. For all intents and purposes, they are American--everything 
without the papers. Many of them have now graduated from college and 
face an uncertain future in the job market. Many of them are in school 
looking to continue that education. Many of them serve in our military. 
We have to do right by them and do what is good for the country, as 
well, and I think this legislation would do that.

[[Page S2605]]

  Unfortunately, some of my colleagues have repeatedly chosen to block 
the measure. I am the first to admit that this solution is far from 
perfect. We need to do a lot of other things with immigration reform. 
We need to address long-term labor needs, as well as a more permanent 
solution for those who are here illegally who weren't brought across 
the border as children. But this is a compromise that can pass.
  Given the action over the last couple of days in the House, where 
there was a group of House Members--Republicans and Democrats--looking 
to force that body to finally take action on this, it is again time to 
have the Senate make another attempt. Therefore, I ask unanimous 
consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of 
Calendar No. 300, H.R. 1551. I further ask that the Flake substitute 
amendment at the desk be considered agreed to; that the bill, as 
amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the 
motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  The Senator from Utah.
  Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Carolina.