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June 27, 2019

Senate Passes Border Aid Package After Rejecting House Version
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The Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass a $4.6 billion bill Wednesday
that includes funding for emergency aid at the southern border. Earlier
in the day, the Senate rejected a House version of the bill that
included new health and safety standards for jailed migrants but split
progressive lawmakers. The Senate bill provides additional funding for
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Defense Department.

President Trump has threatened to veto the House bill, while House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected the Senate's version and has said she
would like to see better protections for detained migrants and migrant
children, and a provision allowing lawmakers to visit detention
facilities without notice. The pressure is now on for the House and
Senate to reconcile the two bills, with lawmakers set to leave for the
upcoming July 4 recess. The Department of Health and Human Services has
warned it could run out of funding to operate detention facilities for
migrant children by the end of the month.

In more immigration news, Democratic candidates Senators Elizabeth
Warren and Amy Klobuchar visited a migrant children's prison in
Homestead, Florida, ahead of last night's debate. Homestead-which is
located less than an hour away from the debate venue-has been plagued by
reports of mistreatment and unsafe conditions, with children being
isolated and some taking to self-harm. Other 2020 candidates in Florida
have also said they intend to visit.


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