WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Whip Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed a bill to provide $4.59 billion in funding to address the humanitarian crisis at the U.S. southern border. 

“The humanitarian crisis at the border is unlike anything our immigration system has ever had to deal with before. Shelters are overloaded with a record number of migrants who have streamed across the U.S. southern border,” Thune said. “Resources are being stretched to a breaking point — making it all the more difficult to provide adequate care to these families and unaccompanied children. The funding this legislation offers is desperately needed to help our federal agencies provide humanitarian relief while also ensuring the safety and security of all those involved.

“Republicans remain committed to getting this funding through Congress — meanwhile, Democrats claimed for months that the crisis was ‘manufactured.’ While I’m glad Democrats are finally accepting the reality of the crisis at our border, we need a solution that the president will sign. Late last night, House Democrats passed a partisan bill they know will never be signed into law. However, the Senate proposal passed the chamber with significant bipartisan support. I urge our House Democrat colleagues to put politics aside and join us in providing real relief.”

 

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