Speech #1040147783

Mr. President. now that the House Judiciary Committee has passed comprehensive immigration reform legislation. many eyes will be turning to the Senate to see what efforts in this area will take place here. One fundamental question facing the Senate is whether to address illegal and legal immigration reform in the same legitlation. Though the House has thus far chosen this path. I do not think the Senate should follow its example. At the very least. we in the Senate ought to limit the drastic and unwarranted cuts in legal immigration that appear in the legislation passed in the House Committee. and should approach the issue of backlogs in family categories with the fairness on which we pride ourselves. I ask to have printed in the RECORD an October 23. 1995. editorial in the Chicago Tribune entitled "A Deeply Flawed Immigration Bill." The editorial aptly notes that while Congress should take decisive and quick action to enforce our laws against illegal immigrationsuch as those endorsed on an unprecedented basis by the Clinton administration. it "can approve those without agreeing that legal immigrants are a problem in need of such harsh solutions." I agree with the Tribunes position. and urge my colleagues not to penalize those who have played by the rules for the conduct of those who have chosen not to play by the rules. The editorial follows: [From the Chicago Tribune. Oct. 23. 1995]