The U.S. Senate approved a $4.6 billion bipartisan funding legislation to provide humanitarian aid at the U.S.-Mexico border. The legislation passed with 84-8 votes.
The Republican-controlled upper chamber’s action comes amid political pressure and criticisms over the Trump administration’s treatment of migrant children.
Yesterday, the Democratic-controlled House passed its own $4.5 billion funding bill that included a provision requiring the implementation of health and safety standards for both adult and children migrants in custody.
The leadership of the House and the Senate will now need to hold a bicameral conference to reconcile their competing bills. Lawmakers are hoping to send a final bill to President Donald Trump’s desk before they leave the Capitol for the 4th of July recess.
House Speaker suggested four changes on four areas of the Senate bill
Earlier today, the Senate voted against the House’s funding bill. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi decided not to bring the Senate version to a floor vote citing the reason that “there are some improvements that we think can be reconciled,” with their bill.
