Dear Colleague: ‘You’re in Your Mother’s Arms’

Dear Democratic Colleague,

"You're in Your Mother's Arms" should always be a comfort and an assurance to children that everything's going to be alright. Sadly, current Administration policy and practice at the border pulls apart the connection between parents and children, undermining families.

The humanitarian emergency at our southern border challenges the conscience of America, and we must act.

For the children, we must do the best we can.

For the children's health, we must ensure higher standards for medical care, nutrition and hygiene.

For the children's safety, we must limit the number of days a child can spend in an influx facility to 90 days, and hold contractors to strong influx facility standards of care.

For the children's well-being, we must compensate faith-based and non-profit organizations and local governments that are meeting the needs of children.

For the children's comfort, we must establish a migrant processing center pilot program which is culturally, linguistically and religiously appropriate for families and children.

For the children, we must ensure accountability and transparency so we can know the truth: requiring that any death of a child be reported within 24 hours, that there be no advance notice required for a Member of Congress to visit a facility and that funding can only be used for the purposes specifically described in the bill.

We are calling upon the Trump Administration and the Senate to engage in an immediate conference to do the best we can for the children before we leave for the 4th of July. Our leverage with the Senate and the Administration is strengthened by the unity of House Democrats. I'm very proud of the vote taken on Tuesday. I thank all of our colleagues for their courage and for their humanity.

Thank you for your leadership.