House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced that the Democaratic controlled House will bend the knee, and has agreed to pass the Senate’s $4.6 billion immigration bill to deliver aid to the southern border.
In a Thursday letter, Pelosi said that while the House is “gravely disappointed” in the Senate for passing their own immigration legislation, “the children come first.”
“Therefore, we will not engage in the same disrespectful behavior that the Senate did in ignoring our priorities. In order to get resources to the children fastest, we will reluctantly pass the Senate bill,” the letter continues.
NEW… Pelosi announces the House will pass the senate bill. Game over. pic.twitter.com/Jy7WYLp7PF
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) June 27, 2019
According to Bloomberg: “The turnaround came after moderate Democrats flexed their power within the caucus by joining with House Republicans to urge Pelosi to simply vote on the bipartisan Senate bill before lawmakers leave Washington for next week’s recess.”
Pelosi and Vice President Mike Pence spoke on Thursday, after which she said he agreed that the Trump administration would make changes to how migrant shelters are run, according to Texas Democrat Henry Cuellar.
“I would hope we’ve all had our say we all feel strongly about our points,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), the top Republican on the Rules Committee, in a House floor speech Thursday afternoon. “But let’s agree on the one thing we know can pass and the President would sign.”
Progressive Democrats, meanwhile, are not happy - as they were pushing for significant changes to the Senate bill that would eliminate $145 million in Defense Department funding for border security.
“We should not be funneling more money to a rogue agency,” said Progressive Caucus leader Rep. Pramila Jayapal, adding “To be clear, I will not support the Senate bill.”
Senate Dems put us in a terrible position. Senate bill does absolutely nothing to hold a rogue administration accountable for cruelty. It has no provisions to ensure $$ goes to the children or that for-profit agencies are held accountable. I am a giant no vote on that bill.
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) June 27, 2019
Let’s see how Pelosi’s party treats her now that she’s closed the door to impeaching Trump and given Senate GOP a win.
via zerohedge