Political Quotes

“I thank Chair Lofgren for her leadership on addressing the humanitarian crisis at our border. I rise in support of H.R. 3239, the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act. My legislation is meant to prevent children from dying at the border, and promote a professional, humane way to treat children and families under the custody, and therefore, the responsibility of CBP. But before I explain my bill's American-values-based, humanitarian, public health approach, I want to refute a few myths. First, the myth that this bill costs too much. My bill will not raise the deficit one penny and does not require any increase in mandatory spending. Instead, it provides the blueprint for how CBP should us its current budget and the $4.6 billion in emergency funding we recently passed to address the humanitarian crisis. Second, the myth that my bill will make it more difficult for CBP to prevent human trafficking. My bill specifically allows for CBP to separate a child from an adult if `` . . . such an arrangement poses safety or security concerns . . . '', such as in instances of suspected human trafficking. Furthermore, my bill requires CBP personnel to receive training on indicators of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Third, the myth that my bill requires medical specialists onsite at all times. That is simply not true. It is simply false.…”