Speech #990184082

Nonetheless. ever since the close of the conference. I have been waiting with great anticipation for deference on such things as the balanced budget amendment. aid to the freedom fighters in Central America. and countless other items. In other words. if the reason why immigration was delayed in the last Congress. and even the Congress before that. was because of the fact that the administration did not want it at the top of its agenda or did not manifest that it was at the top of its agenda. I would hope that similar deference would be accorded the administration on those things that everyone agrees is at the top of their agenda. such as the balanced budget amendment. such as aid to the freedom fighters in Central America. such as so many other things. However. we know we are not going to see that day. While it is my hope that we will be able to promptly mark up immigration reform legislation in the Committee on the Judiciary. my hopes certainly have been dashed before on this issue. In addition. and particularly with the announcement last week that we would face yet another delay until some time in June. did not inspire a great confidence in me with respect to the likely outcome. Nevertheless. I would like to take this opportunity today to save those disposed to look for scapegoats from the expenditure of a lot of misspent energy and time. The fact of the matter is that from day one. the administration has made clear its support for comprehensive immigration reform. and at this time I would like to briefly chronicle their involvement thus far in this Congress and in prior Congresses in order to bring about such legislation. Many people recall that it was during the Carter administration that a Select Commission was established on the question of immigration. I said only half facetiously at the time. when that Commission was established. that this is the general way in which Congress deals with tough controversial pieces of legislation. What it does is create a commission of outstanding men and women in America and then makes sure that they will not be required to report until after the next election.