Illegal Alien Provision in Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill

Floor Speech

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Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my fierce opposition to the ``illegal alien'' provision that has been inserted into the legislative branch appropriations bill.

This partisan language will force the Library of Congress to keep using the term ``illegal alien'' even though the Library of Congress decided to remove that derogatory and totally inaccurate term from the Library's subject heading system.

``Illegal alien'' is a form of dehumanizing rhetoric. The term has been used to justify continued discrimination against vulnerable migrants and minority communities.

The provision is politicizing what is supposed to be a bipartisan budget bill. This unprecedented interference by Congress will have huge ramifications. The Library of Congress sets the standard for subject headings used across America and internationally.

``Illegal alien'' is inaccurate. The Library of Congress contains our most important records, and they should be accurate and reflect reality.

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