House Democrats plan to vote on legislation this week that would provide part of President Trump’s border funding request but with the addition of requirements that set up a clash with the Senate.
The House Appropriations Committee announced Tuesday the $4.5 billion measure would include new requirements for the care of illegal immigrant children, new restrictions on shelters housing illegal immigrants along the border, and a guarantee of certain services, including translators.
The conditions are not included in a bipartisan Senate bill that’s likely to get a vote this week, which could delay a final deal the president can sign.
Trump requested $4.5 billion in emergency funding in May to help government agencies cope with a massive surge of illegal border crossings.
But lawmakers in Congress have been unable to agree on a funding measure.
Democrats, for example, want to exclude any additional money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement or for additional detention beds.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby has called the latest Democratic provisions “poison pills.” The Alabama Republican was doubtful the two chambers could agree on a final measure for Trump’s signature before Congress leaves town for the July 4 recess.
“A final deal?” Shelby said. “That’s a strong word isn’t it. Their bill is a little different.”
House Democratic leaders decided to include the latest requirements after meeting Monday with liberals who are fighting to improve conditions for the hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants apprehended along the border in recent months.
Democrats may have lacked the votes to pass the measure without adding the provisions sought by liberals.
House Republicans won’t vote for the Democratic bill and will instead support the Senate bipartisan bill, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said.
House Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, D-Mass., told the Washington Examiner the Democrats “are in pretty good shape,” to pass the measure.
The top change to the House measure adds language requiring Customs and Border Protection to “establish plans, standards, and protocols to better ensure the health and safety of children and adults in custody, including standards for medical care and medical emergencies; nutrition, hygiene, and facilities; and personnel training.”
Another requirement would ensure illegal immigrants have access to translation services and a third provision would regulate how border officials waive requirements for influx shelters that take in illegal immigrants.
