They risk our homeland security funding at a time when our terrorist enemies have repeatedly demonstrated a renewed capability to threaten the homeland. They risk our very system of constitutional government by sacrificing our power to make the laws and the Presidents duty to enforce them. They risk many of the immigration reform goals that are shared across party lines. I am committed to making real progress toward implementing lasting immigration reform. I supported the Senates comprehensive immigration bill in the last Congress. Even though that bill was far from perfect. I voted for it because I believe in working together to make much needed progress on this vitally important issue. As I have long argued. the way to get real immigration reform back on track is not for the President and his allies to insist on his "my way or the highway" approach. Responsible legislatingnot unilateralismis the right way forward on immigration. The Presidents Executive action risked the opportunity for meaningful bipartisan progress and undermined the Constitution in the process. And now. his allies in this Chamber are apparently willing to risk the security of our Nation at a time of extreme danger just to close partisan ranks and provide political cover to the President. If my colleagues in both parties are serious about protecting our Constitutions separation of powers and the liberty it ensures. if they are committed to protecting Americans from the sorts of terrorist attacks we have lately witnessed with alarming frequency. and if they are committed to working together to achieve lasting immigration reform the right way. I urge them to reconsider their vote earlier today and to agree toat the very leastdebate this critically important bill. Madam President.
Keywords matched
immigration