WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Yassamin Ansari was sworn into the 119th Congress to begin her term serving Arizona’s Third Congressional District. Directly after swearing in, Ansari used her first Floor speech to speak out against the anti-immigrant House Rules package pushed through by extreme Republicans.
Read a full transcript of Rep. Ansari’s speech below and watch her speak on the Floor on social media on X, Instagram, or Facebook.
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“It is the honor of my life to have the responsibility of representing the people of Arizona’s Third District in Congress,” Representative Ansari said. “I’m ready to hit the ground running to deliver results for our community, to build an economy that lifts up the middle class and lowers prices, address our housing crisis, create protections for abortion rights, and take ambitious climate action.”
Ansari is the youngest woman in the 119th Congress and the first Iranian American Democrat in Congress.
Previously, Ansari served as the Vice Mayor of Phoenix and was the youngest woman ever elected to the Phoenix City Council, representing one of the most diverse districts in the fifth-largest and fastest growing city in the country.
The proud daughter of immigrants and graduate of Stanford and Cambridge universities, Ansari led the charge to pass Phoenix’s landmark Climate Action Plan, has fought for the protection of reproductive rights, and secured millions in free tuition for students pursuing community college and good jobs in the trades.
FLOOR SPEECH TEXT:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in defense of immigrant communities such as the one I come from and now proudly represent in Arizona’s Third Congressional District.
Like so many others in our district, I am a proud daughter of immigrant parents who came to the United States for a better life.
Immigrants are an integral part of our community, and their contributions to our culture, economy, and spirit are irreplaceable.
In my district, over 64 languages are spoken.
It is Congress’ responsibility to ensure that every person in this country has a chance at the American Dream.
But the extreme immigration bills attached to this Rules package are just the latest of an onslaught of attacks on our immigrant communities from extreme Republicans.
Particularly, the provision to cut federal funding from jurisdictions that provide critical services to undocumented individuals, which would impact everything from our roads to public safety, is another desperate attempt to further target and punish our most vulnerable residents.
We can have secure borders without scapegoating immigrant communities and promoting xenophobia.
Nothing in this Rules package does anything to bring down the cost of living, protect American workers, or tackle inflation and healthcare costs.
Do not be fooled by the distractions.
It’s more convenient for the other side to blame hard working immigrants who contribute to our country than to come up with solutions that actually help people.
That’s why I urge a “no” vote on this measure.
Thank you. I yield back.
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