Sen. Schumer ‘frustrated, saddened’ pathway to citizenship cannot be in reconciliation package

September 22, 2021 Amber Coakley US 0

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., joins advocates for Puerto Rico, which still suffers from the effects of Hurricane Maria in 2017, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. Schumer said it was “extremely disappointing” that the Senate’s nonpartisan parliamentarian ruled Democrats can’t use their $3.5 trillion package bolstering social and climate programs to give millions of immigrants a chance to become citizens. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 10:41 AM PT – Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) responded to the Senate parliamentarian’s ruling against the Democrat immigration agenda. On Monday, the senator said he was frustrated by the ruling, which confirmed a pathway to citizenship for immigrants cannot be in the reconciliation package.

Schumer said despite the decision, Democrats will continue to push “alternative proposals.” He also said he will be meeting with the parliamentarian soon to discuss the matter more closely.

“Last night’s ruling was extremely disappointing,” stated the the New York lawmaker. “It saddened me, it frustrated me, it angered me because so many lives are at stake. But make no mistake, the fight continues. Senate Democrats have prepared alternative proposals.”

We are deeply disappointed in this decision but the fight to provide lawful status for immigrants in budget reconciliation continues.

We will continue fighting to pursue the best path forward to grant them the ability to obtain lawful status.

My statement: pic.twitter.com/5VZjx0D6JT

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 20, 2021

In the meantime, Democrats such as congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) are suggesting that Schumer ignore the ruling and put a pathway to citizenship in the reconciliation package anyway.

According to a White House spokesperson, Joe Biden also fully supports including the measure and “fully expects” our partners in the Senate to come back with alternative proposals for the Parliamentarian to consider.”