{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://adriansmith.house.gov/house-approach-immigration-reform", "The House Approach to Immigration Reform", "2013-07-12", "2013", "2013-07", "Republican", "House", "NE", "Adrian Smith", "S001172", "adriansmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The United States Senate recently passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill.\u00a0 However, the House will not \u2018rubber stamp\u2019 the Senate bill.\u00a0 Our founders intentionally designed the House and Senate differently, and intended each chamber to act its will.\u00a0 We have the right and responsibility to consider all issues, including immigration, using a different approach.\nThe Senate version of the bill is unlikely to get very far in the House because of concerns about border security along with other potential problems.\u00a0 This does not mean the House will not act.\u00a0 We intend to take a piece-by-piece approach to immigration reform based on freedom, opportunity, and the rule of law.\nThere is no question our immigration system is broken.\u00a0 Under our current structure, legally immigrating to the U.S. is a burdensome, complex, expensive, and bureaucratic process.\u00a0 We are a nation of immigrants, we should welcome those who want to contribute to our economy and society and obey our laws.\u00a0 The current policies force many to hire a lawyer, pay thousands of dollars, and wait years for the chance to provide a better life for their families.\nBy improving our immigration system, more workers will have the opportunity to legally pursue the American dream.\u00a0 Immigrants would pay taxes and become more integrated in our communities rather than live in the shadows.\u00a0 We also would better know who is in our country, which will help improve our national security.\nThis solution also would allow us to better focus our resources on stopping drug traffickers, human smugglers, terrorists, and other criminals from illegally entering the country.\u00a0 Despite repeatedly increasing funding for border security, the Border Patrol is still unable to adequately do its job because it is overwhelmed apprehending migrants who are seeking work and opportunity in our country.\nI oppose amnesty.\u00a0 We need a solution to illegal immigration which is consistent with our principles as Americans.\u00a0 The rule of law must be respected and we must not diminish the patriotic tradition of those who legally immigrate.\nImmigration reform stirs strong feelings on all sides of this complicated issue.\u00a0 There are no easy answers, but failure to act continues the current system which everyone agrees is unsustainable.\u00a0 I am hopeful we can get to the best policy by allowing the legislative process to work.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://adriansmith.house.gov/house-approach-immigration-reform"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4200583100318909, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}