WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States House of Representatives took up and passed H.Res.994, “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks launched against the United States on September 11, 2001,” yesterday, September 13, by a vote of 395 to 22. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31) voted for the resolution so as to commemorate this solemn occasion and honor the victims and the families of the 9/11 attacks. And though the “yes” vote was an easy decision, Rep. Becerra was left disappointed with the political tenor of the Republican-written resolution, believing that politicizing 9/11 by including inflammatory language was below the standards that Americans should expect from their elected leaders.
“If the leadership is in favor of border security as they claim to be in this resolution, why have they not moved forward with a comprehensive immigration bill?” Rep. Becerra said following last night’s vote. “If they are truly concerned about preventing further attacks, why do they refuse to implement all the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission?”
“America deserves better. It is time to move this debate and this country in a new direction and truly honor the victims and heroes of 9/11 by enacting legislation that secures our nation and unites our people.”
Below are highlights from Rep. Becerra’s Floor speech prior to the vote:
“Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 994 was our opportunity for the members of the House of Representatives to speak not as Republicans, not as Democrats, not as conservatives or liberals, but as proud Americans, one nation commemorating the events of 9/11. That is, in fact, what the 100 members of the other body, the Senate, did when they unanimously passed their resolution commemorating America’s faith, its determination and certainly our response to the vicious attacks perpetrated on 9/11.”
“We could have demonstrated our faith in our country by acknowledging the heroes, all of them, the men and women who gave their lives on 9/11. We could have acknowledged the families who have suffered tremendous loss. We could have acknowledged our law enforcement and military personnel, our safety service members, those who work every day to protect us. Instead, cloaked within this resolution is language that is controversial, that is not supported by many members in this House and is not supported by many in the public.”
To see Rep. Becerra’s near five minute speech in its entirety, please visit the “Videocasts” section of his Web site at http://Becerra.House.gov. An audio version of the speech is also available as a downloadable Podcast.
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