Monday's Senate hearings on immigration reform got a little fiery when Sen. Chuck Grassley interrupted proceedings to insist that he never suggested delaying immigration reform over the Boston bombings. "I never said that!" he exclaimed to Sen. Chuck Schumer.
Schumer was giving a statement on the bill, and said that Americans "will not be satisfied with calls for delays and impediments towards the bill. I would say to my colleagues - and I understand their views are heartfelt - the chairman has a very open process, so if you have ways to improve the bill, offer an amendment." He continued: "Those who are pointing to the terrible tragedy in Boston as, I would say, an excuse for not doing a bill or delaying it many months or year--"
Grassley interrupted: "I never said that! I never said that!"
Schumer shot back: "I didn't say you did sir!" Once order was restored, Schumer continued: "Those remarks were not aimed at anyone on the committee or the three witnesses. There were people out there, you read it in the newspapers, who have said it."
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During a prior Senate hearing on immigration reform on Friday, Grassley had kicked things off by saying: “We also appreciate the opportunity to talk about immigration. Particularly in light of all that’s happening in Massachusetts right now and over the last week.”
“We are here trying to understand why these events have occurred,” Grassley continued. “It’s hard to understand that there are people in this world that want to do Americans harm, so this hearing is an opportunity to refocus on the issues at hand and the importance of remaining vigilant and secure in our homeland.”
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