Speech #1040171217

And while Republicans purport to be prowork they offer us legislation which provides no funding whatsoever for job creation. As ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. I also strongly oppose the conference report provisions dealing with immigration matters. These issues clearly fall within the purview of the Judiciary Committee and should be dealt with In the context of the immigration bill. not welfare legislation. The conference report imposes harsh restrictions on legal immigrants by barring them from the Food Stamp Programs and SSI programs until they become citizens. Those denied benefits would include legal Immigrants who have no sponsors to help support them. those who have paid taxes for many years. and poor immigrant families with children. The conference report also changes the defInition of illegal Immigrants. Under this definition individuals who have temporary protective status and are in the United States legally. would be barred from receiving any public assistance. This means that individuals who have been given permission to stay in this country by the INS would be denied assistance. This Is meanspirited immigration bashing and has no place in a bill being considered by this body. The Members know full well the administration will veto this bill. What we have Is more partisan grandstanding by the majority. rather than a goodfaith effort to genuinely reform and improve the Nations welfare system.