New Democrat Coalition to Speaker Boehner: Introduce Comprehensive Immigration Reform by September 30
The New Democrat Coalition, a group of 53 moderate, pro-growth House Members issued an ultimatum to Speaker John Boehner today: introduce a comprehensive immigration reform bill with a pathway to citizenship by September 30, 2013 or the leading group of moderates in the House of Representatives will advance on a fix to the nation’s broken immigration system.
After releasing principles for a comprehensive immigration reform package in April, the Coalition maintained its effort to build support for a measure that creates American jobs, lowers the deficit, and provides an earned pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented Americans with a series of summits with leaders in the technology industry and key figures in the immigration reform debate, including Rep. Luis Gutierrez (IL-04) from the bipartisan Gang of Seven in the House and Senator Michael Bennet (CO) of the Senate Gang of Eight.
With no action on a bipartisan bill, the New Dems stepped forward to spur action from House GOP leadership. “We are frustrated that there was not a bipartisan immigration reform bill introduced prior to the August recess,” the New Dems wrote in their letter to Speaker Boehner, citing broad bipartisan support for comprehensive immigration reform legislation.
“As New Democrats, we want to convey to Speaker Boehner that it is critical he fulfill his commitment to passing immigration reform legislation that will fix our broken immigration system once and for all. We agree with the American public that immigration reform must include a pathway to citizenship. We are confident that there is the support for such legislation in the House of Representatives and have let Speaker Boehner know we stand ready to work with his members in a bipartisan fashion to pass comprehensive immigration reform this year. Let’s stop kicking the can down the road,” said New Dem Immigration Task Force Co-Chair Rep. Jared Polis.
“The New Democrats believe that the time for immigration reform is now – not next year, not five years from now, now,” said New Dem Immigration Task Force Co-Chair Rep. Joe Garcia. Our immigration system is so badly broken that we cannot afford to wait. The next great entrepreneurs, scientists and inventors are waiting to come to our shores and create good American jobs. Let’s work together and overhaul this system for them.”
“From the beginning of this Congress, the New Democrats and I have been optimistic that we can work with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get immigration reform done this year,” said New Dem Immigration Task Force Co-Chair Rep. Joaquin Castro. “This is an issue that transcends party, region, industry and affects the totality of the American family. Americans across the nation have spoken up because they know that fixing our broken immigration system not only means that there will be more avenues for innovators to come to our shores, but also that the millions of people coming out of the shadows will boost our economy as consumers and business owners.”
Click here to read a copy of the letter.
The New Democrat Coalition is dedicated to maintaining America’s standing as the world’s strongest, most successful nation. Founded in 1997, the New Dems believe firmly in the power of American ingenuity and innovation, and are focused on finding ways to foster and harness this creativity to grow our economy, create new American jobs, and ensure a safer and more secure future for our country.
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