DeGette Cosponsors H.R.15, Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep Diana DeGette (CO-1) announced she is cosponsoring H.R.15, The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, a comprehensive reform bill that closely mirrors the commonsense, compromise bill passed by the U.S. Senate in June by a vote of 68 to 32. The only difference between the two bills is this Act replaces the Corker-Hoeven border security provisions in the Senate-passed bill with the bipartisan McCaul-Thompson border security bill unanimous approved by the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee.

“Our immigration system is broken, and the onus is on us to put forth reasonable reform that makes the system whole again,” said DeGette. “Today, too many families are torn apart under an unfair and unjust system. Employers that want to play by the rules are struggling to find employees, and parents who dream of a better life for their children are forced to live in fear. Comprehensive reform is a critical step to keep families together and give everyone the opportunity to live the American Dream.

“The bill I cosponsored is not perfect, but it represents compromise and a bipartisan approach to solving the challenge of immigration reform for our nation. The Senate acted this summer in a strong bipartisan manner to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation and I urge the Republican Majority to allow the House to do the same. If Congress acts on this bill, we can improve the safety and security of all Americans, expand economic opportunity, and support global competiveness.”

According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, enactment of the bipartisan Senate-passed comprehensive immigration reform bill – the bill closely mirrored by this Act – would reduce the deficit by $850 billion.