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Congressman Marc Veasey Statement on House Republicans Supplemental Appropriation Bill

July 31, 2014

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, released the following statement on the House Republican's legislation H.R. 5230, theSecure the Southwest Border Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2014, which fails to address the humanitarian crisis at our border:

"Today, House Republicans decided to rush more partisan legislation to the House floor that fails to address our nation's most dire issues. Instead of passing comprehensive immigration reform that will secure our borders, protect our workers, unite our families, and provide an earned pathway to citizenship, House Republicans continue their anti-immigrant agenda.

The humanitarian crisis at our border is a powerful reminder of the importance of having in place an immigration system that honors our values as a nation. Yet House Republicans continue to focus on a plan that provides inadequate funding to ensure fundamental principles of compassion, due process and protection for international refugees. H.R. 5230 directs funding toward unnecessary detention and border militarization, while tacking on harmful policy changes towards child victims of persecution and trafficking.

In addition, House Republicans continue their attacks on immigrant children by proposing legislation to halt prosecutorial discretion for our nation's DREAMers. H.R. 5272 the "No New DREAMers Act," is another attempt by House Republicans to deport children who came to this country with their parents at no fault of their own and who have no connection to the current crisis. House Republicans must stop pursuing policies that scapegoat children for a humanitarian crisis they created by blocking comprehensive immigration reform.

When House Republicans are ready to put aside their party politics, Democrats stand ready to address the humanitarian crisis by bringing comprehensive immigration reform to a vote."