SAN FERNANDO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Today, in Washington, D.C., Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-San Fernando Valley) released a statement following the passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform through the United State Senate: “Comprehensive Immigration Reform will be the biggest shot in the arm we can possibly give our economy. More than 310 million people in this nation — our entire population – will see an economic benefit from this legislation, including the hundreds of thousands currently jobless who will have renewed opportunity to get back to work.
“While this is a victory for 11 million hardworking men and women who live in the shadows of our nation, it also shows the strength and the courage of the Senate ‘Gang of Eight’ and the coalition of Chambers of Commerce, labor unions, faith-based organizations, law enforcement personnel and all of the other groups representing a bipartisan desire to get this done.
“Today’s passage is a landmark step in approving the first comprehensive immigration reform this nation has seen in a generation. I stand ready to work with any of my colleagues who are truly interested in solving the massive systemic problems of our immigration system. While we supercharge the economy, we can defend the border and create a pathway to citizenship for the millions here who wish to build their own American Dream.
“I urge Speaker John Boehner to recognize that 68 percent of the U.S. Senate, a truly staggering number representing the vast majority of the American people, passed this bill. I challenge him to face the threats to his ownership of the speakers gavel and put country ahead of party and position. I call on him to bring the Senate comprehensive immigration bill to the House floor for a full, open debate and to afford it a majority rules, up-or-down vote; the hallmark of the freedom and democracy that generations of immigrants have come to this nation in search of.”
