Washington, DC – Today, the Senate failed to pass a cloture motion to end debate on comprehensive immigration reform legislation. Members of CAPAC made the following statements:

Rep. Mike Honda (CA-15): "While the Senate immigration reform bill was far from perfect, I am deeply dismayed that the Senate did not pass the bill," said Rep. Honda (CA-15), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). "The legislation left much to be desired with respect to preserving a robust family immigration system and protecting due process rights in our immigration system. However, many of us in the House of Representatives were ready to roll up our sleeves, work hard to remedy those provisions, and craft an acceptable bill. We have been denied a great and important opportunity to honor both the contributions of immigrants to our country and the promise of America."

Rep. Neil Abercrombie (HI-01): "While I have very serious problems with this bill, I am disappointed at the use of procedural sleights of hand to keep it bottled up," said Rep. Abercrombie (HI-01), Chair of CAPAC’s Immigration Task Force. "The attempt to reverse more than four decades of U.S. immigration policy supporting the principle of family can only be put to rest if it is held up the light of day in public debate.  That’s the only way we can resolve such issues and move on to repair a broken immigration system."