House Appropriations Committee Approves provisions addressing child separation
By Jennifer G. Hickey | July 12, 2018
On July 11, the House Appropriations Committee voted 30-22 to approve a $177.1 billion FY2019 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education funding bill that included several amendments designed to increase pressure on the administration on the matter of children separated from their parents at the border.
The panel considered more than 50 amendments and while the debate at times was contentious, several amendments related to reunification of separated children were approved, including a provision to require the Trump administration submit quarterly reports to Congress on the status of the children who have been separated.
An amendment to overturn the 1997 legal settlement known as the Flores agreement, which would permit families to stay together, but enable longer detention of unaccompanied minors and children.
A provision to allow Health and Human Services to accept donations of medical supplies and clothing for detainees, while requiring updates to Congress on status of migrant children and their reunification status.