Here’s a running transcript of President Obama’s remarks at an event in Las Vegas where he is calling for broad changes to the nation’s immigration laws. Remarks are being updated as they become available.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you.
On Monday, New York's Sen. Chuck Schumer, along with a bipartisan coalition of senators, told reporters they have created a set of principles which they hope will be a framework for lawmakers to pass immigration reform by summer.
More from PostPolitics
Anthony Weiner: More women may come forward with photos
“It is what it is,” the former New York congressman said.
Resurrecting questions about Romney’s taxes
FACT CHECKER | A GOP lawmaker cited Harry Reid’s false claim that Mitt Romney paid no taxes at the IRS hearing. He asked how Reid “obtained” his information.
Full text of President Obama’s speech on national security
“We must define the nature and scope of this struggle, or else it will define us,” the president said.
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. (APPLAUSE)
Thank you. It is good to be back in Las Vegas.
(APPLAUSE)
And it is good to be among so many good friends. Let -- let me start off by thanking everybody at Del Sol High School for hosting us.
(APPLAUSE)
Go Dragons. Let me especially thank your outstanding principal, Lisa Primos (ph).
(APPLAUSE)
There are all kinds of notable guests here, but I just want to mention a few. First of all, our outstanding secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, is here.
(APPLAUSE)
Our wonderful secretary of the interior, Ken Salazar.
(APPLAUSE)
Former Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.
(APPLAUSE)
Two of the outstanding members of the congressional delegation from Nevada, Steve Horsford and Dina Titus.
(APPLAUSE)
Your own mayor, Carolyn Goodman.
(APPLAUSE)
But we also have some mayors that flew in because they know how important the issue we’re going to talk about today is -- Marie Lopez Rogers from Avondale, Arizona...
(APPLAUSE)
... Kasim Reed from Atlanta, Georgia...
(APPLAUSE)
... Greg Stanton from Phoenix, Arizona...
(APPLAUSE)
... and Ashley Swearengin from Fresno, California...
(APPLAUSE) ... and all of you are here, as well as some of the top labor leaders in the country, and we are just so grateful -- some outstanding business leaders are here as well. And of course, we’ve got wonderful students here. So I could not be prouder of our students.
(APPLAUSE)
Now, those of you who have a seat, feel free to take a seat. I don’t mind.
I love you back.
(APPLAUSE)
Last week -- last week, I had the honor of being sworn in for a second term as president of the United States.
(APPLAUSE)
And during my inaugural address, I talked about how making progress on the defining challenges of our time doesn’t require us to settle every debate or ignore every difference that we may have, but it does require us to find common ground and move forward in common purpose. It requires us to act.
I know that some issues will be harder to lift than others. Some debates will be more contentious. That’s to be expected. But the reason I came here today is because of a challenge where the differences are dwindling; where a broad consensus is emerging; and where a call for action can now be heard coming from all across America.
OBAMA: I’m here today because the time has come for common sense, comprehensive immigration reform.
(APPLAUSE)
The time is now.
Now’s the time.
Now’s the time.
Now’s the time.
I’m here because -- I’m here because most Americans agree that it’s time to fix the system that’s been broken for way too long. I’m here because business leaders, faith leaders, labor leaders, law enforcement, and leaders from both parties are coming together to say now is the time to find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as the land of opportunity.
Loading...
Comments