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Linda Sánchez Statement on Passage of Government Funding Bill

February 14, 2019

Lawmaker says, “I strongly believe that our government works best when Congress works together to build broad bipartisan consensus.”

Washington, DCRepresentative Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Immigration Task Force, released the following statement on the passage of legislation to keep the federal government open:

"The American people expect Congress to make tough choices and get its work done to keep the federal government open. After a 35-day government shutdown that left more than 800,000 federal employees and federal contractors out of work and unpaid, we simply could not allow the Trump administration to once again plunge those families back into the depths of uncertainty. Tonight, through the strong leadership of House Democrats, Congress has passed a bipartisan, bicameral compromise that keeps the federal government functioning and prevents taxpayer dollars from going towards President Trump's wasteful and ineffective border wall.

"I am deeply disappointed that President Trump and Senate Republicans blocked Democratic efforts to include stronger limits on Trump's mass deportation and detention force. That is simply unacceptable. I, along with my colleagues in the Hispanic Caucus, will continue to do everything we can to hold the Trump administration accountable for its abuses as we work towards passing comprehensive immigration reform.

"While this agreement falls far short of everything I would want it to include, I strongly believe that our government works best when Congress works together to build broad bipartisan consensus; even if I wish change and progress would happen faster. For eight years, I watched as the Freedom Caucus held this country hostage in the name of ideological purity. We cannot allow the perfect to be the enemy of progress.

"Our country has so many important issues that need to be addressed. From passing comprehensive immigration reform to paycheck fairness to a robust bipartisan infrastructure investment package, the American people need this Congress to work together to address the challenges that they face every day. I hope that Congress can now turn its focus to the multitude of priorities we all care deeply about."