Texas Republicans react to Senate-passed immigration bill with disdain, disgust

blog.chron.com
Texas Republicans react to Senate-passed immigration bill with disdain, disgust

Thursday, June 27, 2013

One-third of Senate Republicans voted for the comprehensive immigration reform proposal authored by the bipartisan “Gang of Eight.”

But if early reaction means anything, there’s no support at all among Texas’ 24 GOP House members for the Senate-passed legislation.

“The Senate amnesty bill does not fix our nation’s broken immigration system,” said Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Friendswood. “It rewards law breaking and encourages a new flood of illegals, perpetuating the very problems it claims to solve. Our nation’s failed experiments with amnesty have proven it only encourages more illegals willing to wait it out for their turn at free citizenship … I will not support it and I will lead efforts to stop it from even being considered in the House.”

Rep. Lamar Smith of San Antonio, the former chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, posted a series of tweets pointing out his biggest objections to the Senate bill.


Texas Democrats were equally enthusiastic in their support of the Senate action.

“The Senate showed us that it is possible for Democrats and Republicans to come together to solve one of our nation’s most pressing issues,” said Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. “Now, it is time for my colleagues in the House of Representatives to follow suit and develop a sensible, comprehensive bill that is reflective of our American values.”

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, called immigration “the seminal issue of our time” and hailed the Senate vote.

“I am pleased, encouraged and guardedly optimistic that the House can now swiftly pass a very similar immigration reform bill,” she said.

Copies of tweets in the story link below:

http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2013...sdain-disgust/