Sheila Jackson Lee: “This is a Republican bill that we are trying to fix to keep the government open and not holding our Federal employees…”

“This is a Republican bill that we are trying to fix to keep the government open and not holding our Federal employees hostage. I support this bill with qualifications that I know that in the 2020 fiscal year, Democrats will put forward a humane bill that addresses many of these issues. We gave $1.37 billion for barriers, not the wall. We are protecting the environment in my own State: the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, the National Butterfly Center, the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, places where I have gone and people are pleading: Don't put fences there. We brought down the number of ICE detention beds from 49,000-50,000 to 40,000, and, of course, we have provided, as I have indicated, and fought for facilities that deal with those children and women that are coming across: $415 million for enhanced medical support; transportation; food; clothing for migrants in detention, particularly children; and $30.5 million for family case management. As my good friend said, we brought up the alternative detention from 82,000 to 100,000. As my good friend said, there is $400 million for VAWA. We are funding these programs because we understand how important they are. Finally, of course, in the justice area, we have given money for Byrne grants; Community Oriented Policing Services, sexual assault kits and DNA, Second Chance Act programs, and we funded NASA.…”