Speech #1090133934

It is important for us to debate this issue honestly. This is a complicated bill. over 600 pages long. Obviously. the Congress has not debated the Issue of comprehensive immigration reform for the past 20 years. since the last time Congress dealt with this in a comprehensive fashion. But at the very least. we ought to require of each of ourselves that we have an honest debate. that we call things what they are and we dont call things what they are not. The Kyl amendment. one I am proud to cosponsor. simply makes the point that a guest worker ought to be temporary. It doesnt sound like a profound amendment but. in fact. it will change the fundamental structure of this underlying bill to make the representation that everyone. from the President of the United States on down to those of us here. believes that a guest worker program is part of a comprehensive solution to the crisis that now confronts our country with our broken immigration system. that. in fact. we are talking about a temporary worker program. That is important for many reasons. Let me mention two beyond the initial reason that we ought to be honest and accurate and clear about what it is we are doing.