Jeff Sessions Press Release Today
Press Release of Senator Sessions
Sessions: Senate Vote on Immigration a Victory for the American People
Thursday, June 28, 2007
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) made the following comments today after the U.S. Senate voted 46 – 53 not to invoke cloture on the immigration bill:
“Today’s crushing defeat of the flawed immigration bill is a victory for the American people.
“The Congressional Budget Office found that this legislation would have allowed 8.7 million more illegal aliens in the United States over the next twenty years. We would be squandering a historic opportunity to reform our immigration system if we accepted policies that reduced illegality by only 13 percent. We can and must do better.
“As the public learned more about this immigration legislation, it became clear that the bill did not meet their expectations. The American people overwhelmingly rejected it. Senators heard the voices of their constituents and voted accordingly.
“The vote was also a rejection of the heavy handed procedure employed by the supporters of the legislation. It was not a fair process. I have not seen a more carefully scripted attempt to limit amendments and stifle debate in order to move a piece of legislation through the Senate as was witnessed in this case. Senators saw it for what it was and objected.
“Our nation’s immigration system is broken. I believe that any process to fix that system must start with a real commitment to securing our borders and enforcing our laws. I am pleased to work with President Bush as we move forward with a renewed focus on making our borders secure. It would be an enduring legacy for him if he were to be the first President in nearly 40 years to truly secure our nation’s borders.â€