Should we send money to the U.S.-Mexico border to improve resources for migrants?
Bill Summary
This bill allocates additional money to the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Health and Human Services for work at the U.S.-Mexico border. The bill specifies that the money will only be given once facilities at the border meet the National Standards on Transport, Escort, Detention, and Search. A portion of these funds are reserved to provide additional resources for migrants at the border including but not limited to ongoing assessment and treatment of physical and mental conditions, food, shelter, and hygiene services, and access to legal representation.
Sponsor: Rep. Nita Lowey (Democrat, New York, District 17)
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Opponents say
• Provisions limiting the use of the funds have raised concerns as they are unnecessarily restrictive and limit the bills ability to pass the Senate or be approved by President Trump.
• Note: Not a lot of opposition was found at the time of this bill summary. This bill is similar to the recently passed bipartisan Senate bill, which has fewer restrictions.
• Note: Not a lot of opposition was found at the time of this bill summary. This bill is similar to the recently passed bipartisan Senate bill, which has fewer restrictions.
Proponents say
• “There’s got to be guard rails around any money so that it’s used for humanitarian relief and it’s not diverted toward Trump’s deportation machine” - Rep Joaquin Castro (Democrat, Texas, District 20)
• “This is not about gamesmanship... This is not about politics. This is not about immigration policy. This is a humanitarian relief package. And it has got to pass. It's got to pass immediately. We are out of money and we are out of capacity.” - Alex Azar, Health and Human Services Secretary
• "We cannot give this administration a blank check when time and again it has failed to show it has these children's best interests at heart… Ensuring the resources we appropriate are used for their intended purpose and that there are proper legal protections for the kids in our care should not be up for debate.” - Rep. Rose DeLauro (Democrat, Connecticut, District 3)
• “This is not about gamesmanship... This is not about politics. This is not about immigration policy. This is a humanitarian relief package. And it has got to pass. It's got to pass immediately. We are out of money and we are out of capacity.” - Alex Azar, Health and Human Services Secretary
• "We cannot give this administration a blank check when time and again it has failed to show it has these children's best interests at heart… Ensuring the resources we appropriate are used for their intended purpose and that there are proper legal protections for the kids in our care should not be up for debate.” - Rep. Rose DeLauro (Democrat, Connecticut, District 3)
- Road Ahead: Border Supplemental Talks Could Overshadow Regular Appropriations (Roll Call)
- Dems Clash Over Funding for Trump’s Migrant Crisis (Politico)
- Border Patrol Commissioner Demands Congress Pass Emergency Funding Amid Surge in Migrant Children (Fox News)
- McConnell Challenges Democrats to Pass Funds for Migrant Crisis (CNN)
