Speech #1140056141

Mr. President. for the first time in more than 2 years. the Senate is turning its attention to an issue related to our broken immigration system. But in stark contrast to the comprehensive. hopeful legislation last reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee. the majority is simply scheduling a show vote today on a divisive. partisan proposal that has not even been considered in the Judiciary Committee. What a difference a change in leadership makes. There are few topics more fundamental to who we are as a Nation than immigration. A consistent thread through our history is the arrival of new people to this country seeking a better life. Immigration has been an ongoing source of renewal for Americaa renewal of our spirit. our creativity. and our economic strength. Two years ago. the Senate reaffirmed its commitment to these ideals when we approved S. 744. the Border Security. Economic Opportunity. and Immigration Modernization Act. That legislation. which was supported by 68 Senators from both parties. would have meaningfully improved our great country by making our communities safer. strengthening our economy. improving border security. and keeping families together. It was a remarkable. bipartisan effort that was made better through the extensive amendment process in the Senate Judiciary Committee. It was an example of all that we can accomplish when we actually focus on the hard job of legislating. The bill we are considering today could not be more different. This legislation is not bipartisan. It does not reflect a desire to meaningfully improve what we all agree is a broken immigration system. Instead. this bill is. as the New York Times editorialized on Saturday. "a classaction slander against an immigrant population that has been scapegoated for the crimes of a few. and left stranded by the failure of legislative reform that would open a path for them to live fully within the law." Those who support this bill point to a tragedy that captured our attention this summer. Any time an innocent person is killed. we have an obligation to understand what happened and try to prevent similar tragedies in the future. We all feel that way about the senseless and terribly cruel death of Kate Steinle.