Nancy Pelosi Quotes from Bible in Filibuster-Style Speech for Dreamers | Sojourners

Nancy Pelosi Quotes from Bible in Filibuster-Style Speech for Dreamers

Image via C-SPAN.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) used her "leadership minute" today to lauch a filibuster-style speech on the House floor, shown on C-SPAN, that called for House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) to hold a vote on legislation to protect the nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Her speech began with a nod to Christian leaders calling for DACA protections.  

"The three 'B's — business, badges, and Bibles — are imploring Congress to pass a DREAM Act," she said. "Earlier this month I stood with evangelical leaders to call on the Speaker to bring the DREAM Act to a vote, for the sake of family, fairness, and respect for the spark of divinity within every person." 

Pelosi then read from Luke chapter 10 — the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan. 

"The parable of the good Samaritan is one that has been used over and over again to welcome strangers," she added. "Samaritans were not friends to the person that the Samaritan saved. But he was a man of justice."

The Washington Post reports:

Pelosi continued to speak well after Senate leaders announced an agreement that would add about $400 billion in federal spending over the next two years, delivering the military funding boost Trump demanded alongside the increase in domestic programs that Democrats sought.

The plan could break a months-long partisan stalemate centered around federal spending, but potential roadblocks and threats like the one Pelosi leveled Wednesday could drag out the disagreements.

Watch the full speech here