Newport, RI – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the president’s immigration proposal to exchange re-opening the government and limited concessions for Dreamers and refugees for $5.7 billion in wall funding:
“Hostage-taking is not governing. The president needs to reopen the government, then we can consider responsible solutions to bolster border security. Democrats support sensible border security measures. What we oppose – along with the American people – is the president taking hundreds of thousands of federal employees hostage, forcing many of them to work without pay, putting vital federal programs and services at risk, and inflicting serious, lasting damage to our economy.
“I look forward to considering proposals to expand protections for Dreamers and refugees – once the government is open.”
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