DeLauro Demands HHS Sec. Azar Allow Members of Congress Access to Homestead ORR Facility

WASHINGTON, DC — (April 5, 2019)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar on the Department's intention to deny Congresswomen Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Donna Shalala (FL-27), and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26) entry into the Homestead Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) facility.

"I understand that you intend to deny Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Donna Shalala and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell from entering the Homestead Office of Refugee Resettlement facility," wrote DeLauro. "The representatives intend to visit the facility to conduct oversight of the condition of the facility and care received by the unaccompanied alien children. If the Department of Health and Human Services denies them access, the Department would be in violation of the law."

"Having experienced Members of Congress being denied entry into government-run and government-contracted facilities housing unaccompanied alien children during the summer of 2018, Congress drafted and included Section 234 in the bill [P.L. 115-245] to ensure Members would have unencumbered access to such facilities for the purpose of conducting our constitutionally mandated oversight responsibilities," continued DeLauro. "As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, I ask that you immediately come into compliance with the law and allow all Members of Congress access to facilities used for purposes of maintaining custody of or otherwise housing unaccompanied alien children immediately upon request."

A signed copy of the letter can be found here.