Rep. Gutierrez's (D-IL) Message to Dreamers: 'Stay Strong, Stay Loud'
As a child of immigrants, Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez is a fierce advocate for DACA recipients. Cheddar spoke with Congressman Gutierrez moments after Democrats in the Senate agreed to table a bill that would protect Dreamers until a later date, solely based on a promise from Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Congressman Gutierrez is disappointed his Senate colleagues 'caved' and agreed to any deal that did not protect DACA recipients. He believes Republicans are 'against immigrants' and is not confident there will be a bipartisan agreement. 'Trump changed the definition of bipartisanship,' the Congressman said. He is disappointed his Democrat colleagues still won't 'go to the mat' for his community.
Congressman Gutierrez says he will not vote for any spending bill that funds the deportation of Dreamers. He encourages them to stay vigilant and continue to fight for their rights through activism.
President Joe Biden has met with new House Speaker Mike Johnson at the White House. Johnson was joined by Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries as they discussed Biden's request for nearly $106 billion for Israel, Ukraine and other national security needs.
The new leader of one of the chambers of Congress that will certify the winner of next year's presidential election helped spearhead the attempt to overturn the last one, raising alarms that Republicans could try to subvert the will of the voters if they remain in power despite safeguards enacted after the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.