On the recordJune 7, 2018
As a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, I am opposing all of the bills under this rule, including the underlying bill, but in particular H.R. 3, which is a danger to childcare development, Pell grants, and election security, meaning, Mr. Speaker, they are cutting those dollars. But the main element of my opposition is the crisis on the border. I want this House to recognize that you have individuals who have crossed for humanitarian reasons who are being treated and violated like in a third-world country that would be inhumane. You have Guatemalans, some of whom now are facing the tragedy of the volcano, coming who speak an indigenous language, and they are lumped together 50, 100 at a time. Their children are snatched away from them. This is a policy that is going to be further funded by the rescissions in this bill. It is imperative that anyone who has a humane bone in their body stand up against ripping children away from individuals. As a member of the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on the Judiciary, that was not the policy. The policy was for children who came unaccompanied, not children with their parents. In addition, you have children who have not seen their mothers--who are 4 years old, who are infants--for weeks at a time and cannot speak English. Again, you have Guatemalans who are not speaking Spanish, English, or a language that is interpreted in the courts. It is an indigenous language.…
