Mr. Speaker. the illegal immigration issue is a bipartisan national problem and the House of Representatives has a responsibility to address it. The illegal immigration problem is a matter which we cannot hope will go away by simply ignoring it. The current immigration bill represents a product of 10 years of bipartisan work. Some four administrations and several national task forces have left their imprint on the immigration bill. On two occasions the Senate. with bipartisan majorities from each party. has overwhelmingly passed the measure. Four House committees. with votes from both sides of the aisle. have carefully scrutinized the immigration bill. The major obstacle remaining is consideration by this body. the peoples House. Representing the bipartisan spirit behind immigration reform. former President Ford and President Carter. in a telegram signed by several others. wrote: This problem is too serious for further delay. The Senate * * * has adopted a bill. Now it is time for the House to act. The American people are impatient. The failure to bring this bill up will arouse cynicism about the will of the House to face tough issues. and dangerous feelings of animosity toward all immigrationlegal and illegal alike. In order that the House of Representatives may consider the immigration bill. last Friday I filed discharge petition No. 5 to release this measure from the House Rules Committee. I urge all Members to sign this discharge petition to release the immigration bill so that the House may consider this important national issue. We simply cannot afford to let this problem persist.
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