Democrats Again Reject Humanitarian Border Aid

 Not a Single Democrat Voted in Favor of Considering H.R. 3056

WASHINGTON – Today House Democrats yet again prevented the House from considering humanitarian aid for the border crisis. They voted 228-192 to block House Homeland Security Ranking Member Mike Rogers’ (R-Ala.) H.R. 3056, the Border Crisis Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019.

 

“Our border is at a breaking point,” Rogers said. “Only more resources will improve the dangerous conditions migrants and law enforcement continue to face. Yet Democrats continue to deny the administration the resources it needs to properly process and care for the crush of migrants.

 

Rogers continued, “I met with Acting Customs and Border Protection Director John Sanders today and heard first hand just how dire the situation has become. Director Sanders was clear: the lives of children and families are in danger as long as this crisis continues. He said 6,000 migrants in CBP custody used to be considered a crisis. Now, there are more than 20,000. This is not sustainable.”

 

Yesterday, Rogers introduced H.R. 3056, Border Crisis Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019, which would fund the administration’s request for an additional $4.5 billion for humanitarian response and border operations. It includes:

• $3.3 billion for humanitarian assistance including shelter capacity for unaccompanied children, care for children in custody, transportation for safe and efficient border processing centers.
• $1.1 billion for operational support including personnel, transportation, and resources to combat human smuggling and trafficking.
• $178 million for technology upgrades and law enforcement pay adjustments to respond to influx.

 

Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.), ranking member of the Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations subcommittee, joined Rogers in introducing the bill.

Bill text can be found here.

 

Background: Last month, Rogers and Judiciary Ranking Member Doug Collins (R-Ga.) submitted an amendment to H.R. 2157, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019. Democrats blocked this amendment from floor consideration.

 

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