Transcript of Pelosi Remarks at Congressional Hispanic Caucus Press Event
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Dolores Huerta and farmworker advocates for a press event on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act at the House Triangle. Below are the Speaker's remarks:
Speaker Pelosi. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Our distinguished Chairman held a session this morning and – actually, here at this press conference, laid out a wonderful agenda: the challenge that we face in passing this important legislation, and the importance of this legislation.
I'm honored to be here with my colleagues and welcome Senator Padilla over to the House side of the Capitol. We look forward to hearing from him. Let me just say that the farm workers are like family to all of us. They put food on our table. They make sure that that happens. This legislation that Chairman Ruiz so clearly showed the importance of, is something that has bipartisan support in the House of Representatives. It is supported not only by the farmers, but by the growers. This is a good work of legislation. Zoe Lofgren, Jim Costa, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. Cardenas – so many who are here and many of whom will speak.
So this is not something that has – is casual or incidental. It is fundamental. It is fundamental. For all of us, it is a great privilege to be standing before you with a great legend, an icon in our country, Dolores Huerta.
[Applause]
We celebrated her 90th birthday recently – I won't say how many years –
[Laughter]
– under the dome of the Capitol, which was appropriate, because she is, as I said, a legend, an icon, a great leader. Many of us have learned from her over the years. And I hasten to say, in my case, since like the early 70s – I think it was then. So again, it's an honor.
Let me just say what this bill does, because you're going to hear from many speakers. But I want to just say it's twice-passed, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. It was a critical victory when we did so – bipartisan – farm growers, farm workers support it. It advances fair wages and more protections for our farm workers. And when I say more protections, I'm talking about more protections that are desperately needed. We've had this fight with Jerry – not – alongside Jerry Brown, going way back when with Dolores.
It offers a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented workers and improves access to quality housing – that you took up this morning, very, very important. Again, we came together with the Caucus the other day to talk about immigration writ large. We need comprehensive immigration reform, we need DACA – we observed the 10 year anniversary. We need to pass that and promise – the Promise Act, the Dream and Promise Act. So House Democrats are calling upon our Republican colleagues to end their shameful blockade of these vital bills. Join us in honoring our farmworkers. As we, as we draw strength for the fight ahead, let us draw inspiration from the immortal words of today's guests of honor: ‘Si, se puede.'
And now, I yield back to the distinguished Chair of – oh, am I supposed to yield to the Senator?
Chairman Ruiz. Either way.
Speaker Pelosi. Okay. Well, why don't I take California pride?
[Applause]
In you, you, Mr. Chairman, and then our Senator. From day one – or even before that, in his role as Secretary of State and a leader in our great State of California – but from day one in the United States Senate, he has taken ownership of this issue. He has brought great dignity to it and great support from his colleagues in the Senate. We just have a few more to go. Let us welcome Senator Alex Padilla.