Speech #1040190240

I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. stopping the 300.000 illegal immigrants that stream across our border each year in pickup trucks and under barbed wire fences is the most important Federal law and order issue in generations. This is a modified closed rule providing for comprehensive consideration of H.R. 2202. legislation addressing two critical national issues: Getting control of illegal immigration. and improving our system of legal immigration. Mr. Speaker. make no mistake. while H.R. 2202 is tough on those who enter this country illegally. it maintains and strengthens legal immigration. ensuring that immigrants remain a positive force for change. growth. and prosperity. This rule provides for 2 hours of general debate. equally divided between the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary. The rule waives all points of order against the bill except those relating to unfunded Federal mandates. I would note that the Congressional Budget Office has determined that the mandates in the bill are minimal and do not establish grounds for a point of order against the bill. The rule makes in order the Committee on the Judiciary amendment in the nature of a substitute as modified by the amendment printed in part 1 of the report of the Committee on Rules. That amendment establishes a voluntary program to permit businesses to check the validity of Social Security numbers in order to help ensure that Federal laws regarding the employment of illegal immigrants are obeyed. The amendment in the nature of a substitute is considered as read. The rules provides for the consideration of 32 amendments.