FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 CONTACT: Laura Capps/Melissa Wagoner
June 26, 2007                                                                                               (202) 224-2633

STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON IMMIGRATION CLOTURE VOTE

WASHINGTON, D.C-Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement in response to the cloture vote on the immigration reform legislation.

"I've been in Congress for more than 40 years and immigration reforms are always controversial.  But Congress is expected to muster the political will to get it done.  And today, I'm proud to say that we did.  Today's vote is a major step forward for Congress, and for the country.  It is a major step forward for our national security -- for our economy -- and for our humanity.  We did the right thing today because we know the American people sent us here to act on our most urgent problems.  We know they will not stand for small political factions getting in the way.  We did the right thing because we know the price of inaction.  Raids and other enforcement will escalate, terrorizing our communities and businesses.  The 12 million undocumented immigrants will soon be millions more.  Sweatshops will grow and hurt American workers and wages.   State and local governments will take matters into their own hands and pass anti-immigrant laws that demean our values and hurt our country.  The Senate bill is tough, practical and fair.  

Today's vote was a vote was for a record investment in border security.  It was a vote for a stronger economy that's fair to our taxpayers and workers.  And it was a vote for America's rich immigrant history and future strength. There are big challenges ahead, but we are more determined than ever.   We must remember that at the heart of this issue is work.  Immigrants come to this country to work.  They come to this country for a better life for themselves and their families - - a chance at the American dream."

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