Sessions On Leahy’s ‘Alarming’ Rejection Of Rubio’s, GOP Request That Immigration Bill Not Be Rushed

“Chairman Leahy’s letters to both Senator Rubio and to Committee Republicans reveal a determination to rush a bill through before the public can get involved in the process… Now that the special interests have what they want, the deal has been made: force it through and set the public interest aside… A sound committee process will take months [and] will require extensive hearings to understand every major component of reform, including [h]ow the immediate legalization of millions of illegal workers will impact unemployed Americans … Failure to commit to this kind of open process is tantamount to an admission that the bill is not workable and will not stand up to public scrutiny.”

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement today expressing his concern over Chairman Leahy’s latest declaration of his intent to rush through an immigration bill before the American people know what is in it:

“I was alarmed by Chairman Leahy’s letter to Senator Rubio in which he rejects the GOP call for thorough and full consideration of any comprehensive immigration bill. Chairman Leahy’s letters to both Senator Rubio and to Committee Republicans reveal a determination to rush a bill through before the public can get involved in the process. Chairman Leahy, Leader Reid, and President Obama once again want Congress to pass a far-reaching bill before the American people know what’s in it. Now that the special interests have what they want, the deal has been made: force it through and set the public interest aside.

Chairman Leahy’s mention of the possibility of maybe holding a single hearing is not a pledge of openness, but a confirmation of our suspicions. A sound committee process will take months—not the two-week timeframe Chairman Leahy has outlined—and will require extensive hearings to understand every major component of reform, including:

·        How the immediate legalization of millions of illegal workers will impact unemployed Americans

·        How a further increase in the number of guest workers will impact unemployed Americans

·        How the wages of legal workers and legal immigrants will be affected by the future flow of low-skill immigrants and chain migration

·        The long-term cost to taxpayers, especially as illegal immigrants become eligible for most welfare and public benefits once granted green cards and citizenship

·        Tracking visa overstays

·        Metrics for establishing border security

·        Resuming and strengthening cooperation with local law enforcement

·        Resolving the concerns of ICE officers, including the abuse of prosecutorial discretion and so-called deferred action

·        Worksite enforcement

·        Ensuring that the currently unenforced public charge law is enforced

·        Ensuring proper input and evaluation from the law enforcement community

These are only some of the many complex, serious, and emotional issues that must be addressed in detailed public hearings. Failure to commit to this kind of open process is tantamount to an admission that the bill is not workable and will not stand up to public scrutiny.”

[NOTE: Click here to read Sessions’ statement applauding Senator Rubio’s letter to Chairman Leahy].

U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) serves on four Senate committees: Armed Services, Judiciary, Environment and Public Works, and as Ranking Member of the Budget Committee. Visit Sessions online at his website or via YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Note: Please do not reply to this email. For further information, contact Sen. Sessions’ Press Office at (202) 224-4124.