Speech #540105409

Speaker. I think it is important for the House to consider for a minute the situation of this measure. In the first place. the gentleman from Missouri moves to have this whole matter recommitted to the Committee on Immigration. The gentleman from Ohio then moved that we nonconcur in the Senate amendment and assent to the Senate request for a conference on the disagreeing votes on the bill. It is entirely immaterial to consider whether we will agree with the Senate amendments or not. If the House shall vote to nonconcur in the amendments for the time being and agree to the conference. it has precisely the same effect as if the bill were referred to the Committee on Immigration and the committee should report to the House the recommendation to nonconcur in the amendments. The great advantage of having this bill go immediately to conference and having it decided over referring it to the Committee on Immigration is most apparent. The reports of the Committee on Immigration are not privileged. If we refer this matter to that committee. and that committee. after one week or three weeks. or immediately. report it back to the House. their report has no privilege whatever.