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Schneider Statement on Vote for Border Supplemental Funding

June 27, 2019

Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) issued the below statement following his vote in favor of an emergency supplemental bill to provide humanitarian assistance to the southern border:

"The humanitarian crisis at our southern border has been irresponsibly compounded by the incompetent and heartless response of the Trump Administration. The mistreatment of unaccompanied children in our care, some of whom have been denied basic necessities like soap and toothbrushes, is unconscionable.

"As a father, Iunderstand at my core the love the drives a parent to cross a continent, challenge a border, and brave a river to give their child a hopeful future. In our response to refugees seeking security and asylum, we must hold our nation to a higher standard.

"I voted for today's legislation to provide emergency funding because it was the right thing to do for children at the border. This bill is not perfect, but I prefer to measure success based on our progress toward shared goals rather than how far short we fall from definitions of perfection.

"In the days ahead, we must address the root causes of the crisis. The Administration needs to stop blocking assistance that Congress has already passed for Northern Triangle countries to help alleviate the causes of mass migration. And Congress needs to come together to finally pass comprehensive immigration reform that both secures our border, provides a path forward for millions of our undocumented neighbors, and treats asylum seekers with dignity."