Adriano Espaillat: “I am pleased that we found a solution to keep the government open through October and that this deal does not include…”

“I am pleased that we found a solution to keep the government open through October and that this deal does not include funding for President Trump's border wall, nor does it eliminate money for sanctuary cities. These are several issues that I am proud to champion in addition to programs such as the NIH, Child Care and Development Block Grants, Pell grants, nutrition programs for seniors, Planned Parenthood, affordable housing, and Head Start. However, the devil is in the details, and after further reviewing this total package, I cannot, in good conscience, support it. This bill will increase funding for homeland security and is essentially $1.2 billion of President Trump's original proposed $3 billion request for border security and interior enforcement. We fully know that any funding for homeland security and border security will be used to increase raids and detentions, essentially funding the President's mass deportation agenda. In addition, this omnibus bill does not provide a long-term solution to Puerto Rico's economic crisis, leaving Puerto Rico's Medicaid funding with only one-third of the funding it needs. Finally, the bill comes at the same time that Trump and House Republicans continue to push to eliminate ACA. The devil is in the detail, and that, too, will be a nightmare in hell for many of us. ____________________”