Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter called on Congressmen Beauprez today to reject Washington-style wedge politics and push for speedy federal action on illegal immigration.

"In Colorado, the problem of illegal immigration has caused the governor to call the legislature back into special session, at a cost of $15,000 a day, to continue the pursuit of responsible, substantive immigration reforms," said Ritter, Denver’s former District Attorney. "This speaks to both the urgency of the issue and the importance of taking what limited actions that states can take to address the problem.

"But in Washington, where the most meaningful immigration reform must occur, Congressman Beauprez and the Congressional leadership are playing typical wedge politics."

House Republicans are refusing to convene a conference committee to reconcile differences between House and Senate immigration legislation. Instead, they are planning to hold "field hearings" around the country. Congressman Beauprez has joined U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard in asking for a hearing to be held in Colorado.

Ritter challenged Congressman Beauprez to call on Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert to end the stalemate and convene the conference committee.

"The field hearings are nothing more than symbolism over substance," Ritter said. "That’s the kind of Washington-style inaction that got us to this place to begin with and it’s exactly the kind of hypocrisy that we will not tolerate. Congress must act with the same sense of dispatch that we are moving forward with here in Colorado."

For more information about Ritter’s campaign, visit www.ritterforgovernor.com, e-mail info@ritterforgovernor.com or call 303.534.0660.