Washington - Senate Republicans earlier this evening blocked adoption of a resolution honoring civil rights leader Cesar Chavez on the 80th anniversary of his birth. With the apparent goal of adding controversial language related to immigration, Senate Republicans objected to the resolution, which was poised to be passed under unanimous consent of the Senate.
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), co-chair of the Senate Hispanic Task Force, tonight decried the use of an honor for one of America's civil rights heroes to play politics.
"Cesar Chavez helped permanently improve conditions for American workers and farm laborers - his memory should be honored, not used for political tricks. He was a hero to millions upon millions of Americans, Hispanic or not, and he should be honored with dignity. I call on our Republican colleagues to cease their political play and immediately allow us to honor this great Mexican American."
Unofficial transcript of Senate floor proceedings below:
{ NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
MR. REID: I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THE SENATE PROCEED TO THE IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION SUBMITTED EARLIER TODAY HONORING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND LEGACY OF CAESAR ESTRADA CHAVEZ. THAT THE RESOLUTION BE AGREED TO, THE PREAMBLE AGREED TO AND MOTION TO RECONSIDER LAID UPON THE TABLE.
{18:16:43 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER)
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: WITHOUT OBJECTION.
{18:16:46 NSP} (MR. McCONNELL)
MR. McCONNELL: MR. PRESIDENT, RESERVING THE RIGHT TO OBJECT, AND I HAVE TO OBJECT, WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON SOME MODIFICATIONS AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT YET. SO THEREFORE I MUST OBJECT.
{18:16:55 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER)
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: OBJECTION IS HEARD
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