Speech #820211793

I rise to support the motion which is before the Senate. namely. the motion to recommit the pending measure to the Committee on the Judiciary for the purpose of having that committee hold hearings on it and on the proposed substitute bill . I can understand the objections to this motion. which have been raised by the distinguished chairman and other members of the committee. I realize that. probably. during the past few years every question which would be under consideration at such hearings has been considered. not once. but at least several times. in the course of hearings on the subject of immigration. which already have been held by the committee. I can understand that to hold at this particular time hearings as now proposed might jeopardize. and even thwart completely. any final action on immigration legislation at this session of the Congress. However. as all of us know and as has been pointed out again and again during the course of the debate on Senate bill 2550. this proposed legislation is vitally and fundamentally important to the United States. In fact. I know of no legislation of greater importance. which has been considered and acted upon during the period of my service in the United States Senate. Furthermore. regardless of all the hearings which may have been held previously on proposed legislation dealing in any way with the subject of immigration. the fact remains that no hearing or hearings have been held on the substitute bill. S. 2842. or on any similar measure which has been introduced since final committee action was taken on the pending bill. S. 2550. As one who is greatly interested in this proposed legislation. I feel strongly that hearings on the substitute bill. S. 2842. should also be held before final Senate action is taken on legislation dealing generally with immigrationeven though the holding of such hearings may prevent the enactment of this type of legislation during the Eightysecond Congress. So many criticisms have been directed against certain sections of the pending bill. S. 2550. and so much merit has been claimed for provisions in the substitute bill. S. 2842. that I am convinced the present situation is one requiring a reconsideration of the whole question of immigration legislation by our distinguished colleagues. the able members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. I make this statement in full recognition of the preeminent capacity of the committees members to act upon matters of this nature. If I had less confidence in the members of the committee. I should feel that such a course of action as is proposed by the motion to recommit S. 2550 would be futileor worse. Indeed. it is because of my admiration and respect for the committees members that I am so completely convinced that the pending motion should be agreed to and that the whole question of immigration legislation again should be reviewed by the committee. especially as it may be affected by the terms and provisions contained in the substitute bill. S. 2842. on which hearings would be held. Therefore.