Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) released the following statement on her vote on the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act:
“This compromise bill was deeply imperfect. While it contained some long-sought policies, it still failed to include many things in which I believe. This vote was a vote to continue the conversation on this bill and use the opportunity to amend the current package to make it better. We have promised time and time again that we would honor our farmworkers, support DACA recipients, and secure a win for Dreamers. I did not want to kick the can down the road again. We must keep our promise and act now.
“During my inaugural speech, I made clear my urgency about the issues facing our nation and its children. The lives of immigrants living in our country today and those seeking asylum are urgent. They have waited long enough. This matter is urgent and getting it right is essential to keeping the promises we have made. It was time to stop the politicking and start the debate, so we could improve this bill and move it forward.
“For months now, extreme MAGA Republicans have wanted to have a debate on fixing our immigration system. They insisted that to support our allies around the world, we needed to address our borders. This was the time.”