[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17955]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 21, 2013

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
passing comprehensive immigration reform legislation in the House. 
There is no question that it is long past time to fix our broken 
immigration system.
  Earlier this year the Senate passed comprehensive immigration reform 
after working with stakeholders to reach a balanced, albeit imperfect 
bill.
  Then last month, my colleagues in the House introduced a 
comprehensive immigration reform bill that has gained the support of 
190 bipartisan cosponsors.
  Unfortunately House Republican leadership continues to block the path 
forward.
  Their refusal to consider legislation that has strong bipartisan, 
bicameral support is in direct conflict with the will and the needs of 
the American people-and our constituents.
  There is growing unrest among the agricultural, business, and 
technology communities in addition to the advocacy organizations and 
faith groups.
  In my own district, there are heart-wrenching stories of parents who 
made the dangerous journey here just so they could make sure their 
children have a place to live and something to eat back home.
  They are separated not just by militarized borders, but by time--
years and decades of not being able to see one another.
  That is why it is so important that organizations like PICO and 
countless others are continuing to organize and rally to get this done.
  At this moment, faith leaders are joined together on the National 
Mall as part of the Fast4Families event.
  They are giving up their meals in order to emphasize the moral 
importance of passing comprehensive immigration reform.
  They follow in the footsteps of leaders like Cesar Chavez, who in 
1968 led a 25-day fast for the rights of migrant workers. Today's 
community leaders are fighting to fix another broken system, one that 
affects more than 11 million people from all around the world.
  Mr. Speaker, it is unacceptable that in the 145 days since the Senate 
passed its immigration bill, House Republican leaders have dedicated 
what little time we have to a government shutdown, 40 billion dollars 
in SNAP cuts, and the repeal of Obamacare.
  Republican leadership may not be tired of gridlock and dysfunction 
but the American people are.
  The nation is ready to pass comprehensive immigration reform and we 
must not delay any longer.

                          ____________________