WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following statement after the Senate voted on a procedural motion to begin debate on S. 4361, the Border Security Supplemental Appropriations Bill:  

“Our immigration system is broken, and the situation at the southern border is not sustainable. The pathways to safe and legal immigration, too, are broken and not sustainable. Asylum seekers are forced to wait years before learning their fate and face unimaginable bureaucratic backlogs. Vermonters know that immigrants and new Americans are vital to our economic success and make immeasurable contributions to our communities.

“I voted to bring this bill to the floor for a full debate on how to secure the border, how to increase legal immigration, and how to grant legal status to the Dreamers who do so much for our country but must continue to live in the shadows. I would have liked the opportunity to debate and consider amendments. But today’s vote was another frustrating reminder that Republicans have walked away from this issue. They are instead choosing to accept the dysfunctional immigration system we have because it’s ultimately a better talking point in an election year.” 

###