The Republican Supplemental: Irresponsible and Insufficient

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today on the supplemental appropriations bill before the House of Representatives. The bill provides $405 million toward increased law enforcement efforts to process unaccompanied children in immigration courts and just $197 million for providing shelter and care of these minors traveling alone. DeLauro is the Ranking Member on the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education Appropriations Subcommittee.

“This is an irresponsible and insufficient border supplemental. For months, Democrats have urged this Majority to pass comprehensive immigration reform that reflects our values and the country we want to be – one with strong enforcement at the border, deportation of dangerous criminals, and a path to citizenship that protects workers, helps families reunite and clears backlogs. But this Republican Majority has done nothing. They have refused to act. Doing nothing is not an option.

“Now we face a humanitarian crisis on our border that demands an immediate response. But the Majority’s answer is just to send children who enter our country alone home, regardless of the violence and imminent danger they face.

“This bill only includes $197 million for providing shelter and care for these refugee children. While these kids are here, we have a moral and a legal responsibility to provide for their housing, care and processing in the most cost effective way possible. This insufficient amount will mean the Department of Health and Human Services will have to make up the difference through high-priced short-term contracts. That will cost us more in the long run. And it could result in cuts to other priorities, like education, health, medical research, and job training, if Congress tries to ‘make up’ these shortfalls elsewhere. This is not responsible leadership.

“Our policy – signed into law by President George W. Bush – provides for appropriate screening of those who may be victims of trafficking, and that rightly includes unaccompanied children. This supplemental appropriation would change this policy, and result in children being returned to the violence that they are desperately trying to escape.

“America can and should do better. We should help protect those kids in serious danger and push the leaders of these nations to address the root causes of why so many of their citizens are fleeing. And we should pass comprehensive immigration reform. It is time for leadership from this Republican Majority.”


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