This afternoon, House Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, Republican Conference Chairman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte released the following statement on immigration reform and border security :

“Our nation’s immigration system is broken – hurting families, our national security, and the economy, which is why reform is included in our plan for economic growth and job creation.

"While we applaud the progress made by our Senate colleagues, there are numerous ways in which the House will approach the issue differently. The House remains committed to fixing our broken immigration system, but we will not simply take up and accept the bill that is emerging in the Senate if it passes. Rather, through regular order, the House will work its will and produce its own legislation.

"Enacting policy as consequential and complex as immigration reform demands that both chambers of Congress engage in a robust debate and amendment process.

"Our nation’s immigration processes, border security, and enforcement mechanisms remain dysfunctional. The House goal is enactment of legislation that actually solves these problems and restores faith in our immigration system, and we are committed to continuing the work we’ve begun toward that goal in the weeks and months ahead.”

Today, the House unanimously passed the Improving Postsecondary Education Data for Students Act (H.R. 1949), a bill to explore ways to enhance higher education transparency and help make life work for students and their parents.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor made the following remarks on the Floor of the House in support of H.R. 1549:

“American moms and dads are working tirelessly to help their children achieve their dreams. For many, that dream includes college. However, the cost of postsecondary education has become increasingly difficult for American families to bear. Young graduates today are not only confronting a tough job market when they leave school, they are continually facing a growing mountain of debt that is financially burdensome and extremely difficult to pay back.

Today, the House approved the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline by passing the Northern Route Approval Act (H.R. 3) in a bipartisan 241-175 vote.

Upon passage, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor released the following statement:

“Working families need access to jobs and affordable energy, but President Obama continues to block construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Building the pipeline would create tens of thousands of new jobs, bring more energy to the marketplace from our ally Canada, and help lead to lower energy prices for families.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor makes a brief statement on the tragedy in Oklahoma following the weekly meeting of the House Republican Conference.

“Our hearts break when we see images of the terrible devastation in Oklahoma from last night and this morning. Families torn apart, kids taken from us way to earlier, and communities devastated.

“As we heard from our Oklahoma colleagues, the people of Oklahoma are strong. The people of our country are strong. We will help them rebuild and do what is necessary as Americans always do.

“We will continue to focus here in Washington on making sure that does happen and that we address the other challenges that our nation faces.”

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor makes a statement following the weekly meeting of the House Republican Conference.