Velazquez on Border Supplemental

Washington, D.C.­­ – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement after voting for H.R. 3401, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act:

"This was not an easy vote, but I believe it was the correct one. I share many of the concerns expressed by my colleagues and some in the immigrant community about this legislation. However, importantly, the final version of this bill approved in the House contains important guardrails to protect migrants detained at the border and, most of all, children. It will implement tough standards to protect the health and safety of children and adults in custody.

"Voting no on this legislation would have meant abandoning children and families who are suffering because of a crisis at the border that has been fueled by Donald Trump's policies. That choice was simply unacceptable.

"Equally important, if the House were to reject this legislation, we would have ceded all legislative ground to the Senate, whose border funding bill omits many of the humanitarian protections progressives fought to see included in the final House bill.

"Going forward, I will continue working to ensure vulnerable immigrants detained on our southern border are cared for, treated humanely and held harmless. Our nation must not abdicate its values as a compassionate, caring and welcoming home for those seeking safe refuge."

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