The progressives want to amend the Senate bill to set health standards for migrant children in custody, establish a three-month limit for children to spend at intake shelters and reduce funding for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
A senior Democratic aide associated with the moderates, said the proposal to cut funding for ICE is not a good idea.
“The thinking there is that if progressives force us to go home without addressing the border crisis … that’s a real problem. That is terrible policy, terrible politics all around for many of these front-line members,” according to the aide.
Moderates and swing-district Democrats also known as “front-liners” convinced Pelosi and party leaders to bring the Senate bill to the House floor. Pelosi agreed.
Pelosi said the passage of Senate bill does not end debate on protecting migrant children
In a telephone call with Pelosi prior to the vote, Vice President Mike Pence agreed that the administration will inform Congress within 24 hours regarding a death of a child in custody at the U.S. border. The Vice President also agreed to a 90-day limit for children to stay at a border intake facility, according to a source familiar with their conversation.
