Press Releases

“From generation to generation, immigrants have built, strengthened, and enriched our culture and our society. They have reinvigorated our economy. Every immigrant who reaches our shores with that determination and optimism makes America more American. That tradition is embedded into the very fabric of American strength. Now is the time to honor that tradition, to build on California’s progress, and to ensure that the American Dream remains within reach for every immigrant who hopes to build a brighter future on our shores. Now is the time for comprehensive immigration reform.”

"Thank you for being here. I am very honored to be here with leaders in the Congress who have great experience in the Appropriations process as well in the authorization process. Chairman Dingell called to our attention recently an opportunity for us to keep government open. So, I am honored that he is here to be with us. Mr. Miller has introduced a bill do so."

"Today marks the third day of the Republican Government Shutdown. It could be over in hours if the Republicans would just take “yes” for an answer. Yesterday afternoon, over 100 Members of Congress and others who backed what we were doing, were on the steps of the Capitol and spoke out to Speaker Boehner, telling him to allow a vote on the – clean CR means nothing to the American people – allow a vote to keep government open."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for your leadership on this very important matter for our country. It’s not an issue, it’s a value, [and] it’s an ethic. It’s about restoring confidence in who we are as a people – by and large, a nation of immigrants with all respect and love for our Native American brothers and sisters."

“Good afternoon everyone. Today marks the second day that the federal government has been shutdown at levels that already, that are unfair to the American people. The solution of this, to this crisis is just to pass simple legislation that has passed the Senate and is the figure that the Republican majority in the House have proposed for funding. And that is $986 billion."

"...But to open government that, in my opinion is a luxury we can’t afford on the side of the Democrats, or the Republicans, so we’re willing to compromise to accept their number. They had two things: $988 billion and overturn Obamacare. This isn’t going to happen. We’re willing to accept this [the $988 billion]. They shouldn’t move the goal posts."

"They have wiggled this way and that to keep being very resourceful in how they come up with ways to shutdown government. Because as [Senator] Harry Reid says: ‘they don’t believe government, they’re anti-government ideologues who are the Tea Party shutdown of government.’"

“And no longer will they have annual limits or lifetime limits on the coverage they can receive. Americans with these preexisting conditions are one thing, but those predisposed to those conditions will now have preventative care and this is a very important thing to reduce risk."