Rep. Peters Decries ‘Early Dismissal’; Demands Vote on Bipartisan Reforms to Fix Broken Immigration System

SAN DIEGO, CA – Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) continued his effort to convince Speaker John Boehner that the House of Representatives should not adjourn at the end of this week, as has been widely reported. Today, Rep. Peters called for the passage of H.R. 15, the bipartisan “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act,” which would make significant reforms to the broken immigration system.

“Everyone agrees that our current system is broken and in dire need of reform,” Rep. Peters said. “This bipartisan proposal would create jobs, reduce the deficit, and benefit San Diego. It has gotten the support of local and national business groups, labor unions, faith leaders, farmers, and the majority of Americans, and it is time for Speaker Boehner to allow a vote. This legislation could become law if it were given a vote on the House floor.

“Instead of sending Congress home for 7 weeks of campaigning, Speaker Boehner should allow a vote on this bipartisan approach that passed the Senate more than a year ago, and would yield significant economic benefits for our country.”

Congressman Peters is a cosponsor of the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act,” which would reduce the federal budget deficit by $900 billion over 20 years according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. It would also expand the H-1B visa program for high-skilled immigrants. Rep. Peters signed a petition demanding a vote on H.R. 15 earlier this year and has been a consistent advocate for bipartisan reforms since arriving in Congress last year.

Background on the Fight Against ‘Early Dismissal’

As part of his fight against Speaker Boehner’s move to dismiss Congress early for a 7-week campaign break, Rep. Peters is highlighting legislative priorities that are awaiting action in Congress and should be addressed before the House adjourns on Friday through mid-November. Last week, Congressman Peters focused on the need to pass the “Paycheck Fairness Act” to ensure women receive equal pay for equal work, the need to pass the “Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act” to make college more affordable and reduce the burden of lower student loan debt, the need to pass the “Protect Women's Health from Corporate Interference Act of 2014” to protect women’s access to birth control and their ability to make their own health care decisions, and the need to protect Medicare for current and future generations of seniors who depend on it.

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