June 28, 2019

Casten Statement on H.R. 3401, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) voted on the bipartisan H.R. 3401, the emergency supplemental funding bill to provide aid to the humanitarian crisis at the southern border.

Casten said, "There is no question that the conditions on our southern border are absolutely awful and heartbreaking. I strongly believe that no human deserves to go without their basic needs being met, like providing them with food, water, shelter, and sanitary items.

I'm glad that Congress has been able to work in a bipartisan fashion to quickly provide some relief to the thousands that are currently suffering in the detention centers. However, this funding is not a sufficient or the ultimate solution to the humanitarian crisis on our border. We as Congress, must not only continue to provide adequate resources to these centers but also address the other issues that continue to exacerbate this problem.

We must reverse this Administration's senseless decision to block funding to the Northern Triangle countries, which is used to improve border security, stop human smuggling and drug trafficking, combat corruption and reduce poverty and promote growth, as well as, solidify protections for DACA and TPS recipients currently living in this country.

This issue will only get worse if we do not act. In the coming weeks and months, I will do all that I can to work with my colleagues in the House to finally push back against this Administration's abusive, ineffective immigration policies."

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