Congresswoman Chellie Pingree had harsh words for a Republican plan to attach anti-immigration language to a funding bill up for a vote today, saying theeffort introduces partisan politics into critical homeland security legislation.
"The recent events in France and elsewhere are a stark reminder of how important it is we remain vigilant inmaintaining our security efforts. It's disappointing that this bill is going to contain these anti-immigration amendments that seem like they are designed to satisfy the most radical elements of the Republican Party," Pingree said. "They really shouldn't be playing politics with homeland security."
Republicans have proposed amendments to the funding bill that would prevent the Department of Homeland Security from carrying out President Obama's immigration reforms, and would repeal rules that allow immigrants who came to the United States as young children to stay here legally.
"This Homeland Security bill had bipartisan support until these anti-immigration amendments were added to it," Pingree said. "We should have comprehensive immigration reform and debate it, but sticking these provisions onto a bill critical to our nation's security is not the way to do it."
Pingree is a proponent of comprehensive immigration reform and has repeatedly called on Republican leaders to allowCongress to take it up.
"Immigration reform is an issue for businesses small and large in every state, including Maine. We've certainly heard from businesses in tourism and agriculture, just to name a few industries, who are desperate for sensible, comprehensive reform," Pingree said.
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