We have private companies making millions from the abuse of children in our custody!
Shame!
7
Almost the entire government is complicit in this fascism, and it's all done to protect capitalism. If they are at the point of funding and, in turn, normalizing, child "internment" camps, where is the next line? The slow creep is gaining speed.
19
I wish Nancy would realize that 90% of Americans do not support open borders for illegal immigrants.
The Democrats want them to enter with impunity then scatter and hide across the country for 5 years until their court hearing. In the meantime, the women will give birth to hundreds of newly minted US citizens who will eventually grow up to be Democrats.
That's been the plan all along- and the Democrats still can't get their act together.
145
@Aaron - Open borders is a conservative buzz word. No one in Congress wants open borders. I suppose that is hard for someone from Orange (Red) County to understand.
196
This is just not true. Democrats do NOT support "open borders". This is a false narrative promulgated by Fox News hosts. Not one Democratic politician has ever said that.
310
I wish people would realize that open borders is on no one's political agenda, that there is no open borders policy drafted by anyone in Congress, and that the concerns of Democrats is not making it easier for people to make it in illegally but finding the most ethical way to deal with people (including children) already in the country. But that's harder to argue against isn't it?
134
I’m happy to see some of the presidents’ agenda making its way through Congress. Let’s make our borders secure.
19
I am a conservative Republican hawk! Nancy Pelosi did not cave she did not lose. She came to a bipartisan agreement on something that had to be done. I do not agree with anything this woman believes or says. And yet, I applaud her for this! We will take care of this illegal immigrant crisis. We will not let people die or live in squalor while we are figuring it out. Nancy Pelosi, I applaud you.
The Dog
6
Simple solution would seem to be to introduce another bill outlining the protections that were cut from the funding bill. Then see who won't vote to protect kids.
3
This is a profoundly important moment for our Country and our polity. We have achieved an agreement across intensely divided lines that directs 4.6 billion dollars to addressing the crisis at our border.
Up to this point, Dems and Reps have used the immigration issue to divide the electorate and to consolidate their voting blocs. This had left us with unenforceable immigration law, inadequate judicial infrastructure, and a system that actually incentivized migrants and traffickers to use families and children to exploit the weakness of our legal and judicial system.
The fact that Reps and Dems now risk some election failures by compromising, by refusing to exploit migrants and their suffering, and refusing to divide the nation along false lines, there is a possibility that we will approach this issue more honestly and humanely, and not just as a way to cast the other side as evil.
There is a lot of hope for everyone if we continue to move in this direction. Just maybe we'll develop humane and generous and enforceable immigration law, with adequate enforcement and judicial support. Just maybe we'll crack the hard nut of how to rightly assist central American peoples in their efforts at self-government and at strengthening the rule of law and at developing their economies.
But we can only do this together.
3
"Capitulated"? How negatively this is being depicted. Is this not about helping immigrants? Stop making everything about beating Trump, please. It distorts the reporting.
9
You are WRONG Nancy. What too many holiday parties coming up to spend a few extra hours in DC to get more humanitarian funds to be included in the rubber stamped bill? Lots of taxpayer money for even more military and a few drops for the people.
Mitch McConnell needs to be held accountable and you are shying away from what the American people want. Time for you to go. You don't represent me thats for sure.
2
What a wonderful defeat for Nancy Pelosi. There will be many more. Get used to it.
6
We can fix this quickly. Simply copy Australia's or Canada's immigrations laws.
We have a crisis at the border because the "asylum" provision encourages people to get a child, any child and simply step foot on American soil. This is why over 100,000 people per MONTH are trying to enter this country illegally.
It does not help that Democrats are conveniently forgetting that President Obama enforced border security laws and those "cages" shown in photos were built during his administration.
7
If you read the transcript of Rex Tillerson's interview, you see that Rex's solution to the refugee problem was to try to fix the chaos that is forcing refugees to flee. Of course, the Trump administration will never take this approach because it doesn't punish brown people enough to satisfy his "base."
3
I count this as a victory for Speaker Pelosi and the mainstream Democratic Party.
3
It is an unholy mess on the border and compromise and living to fight another day is not the end of the world. Dems need to champion the compromise aspect of this bill and be vigilant in their continued oversight of the border situation. If it doesn't improve, then they will be back at the megaphone. There are limits and the magic wand is out for repair...
NYT - I get that newspapers revel in conflict, but your headline declaiming that compromise is defeat doesn't help the situation.
4
Nancy never “loses.” She will make lemonade outta dees lemons. Votes, votes....that is what motivates Miss N.
The Democrats are pushed into a corner by the cruelty of the Republican administration and senate. In standing up for children's dignity they also funded ICE, CBP, and private detention centers because who handles the families and children? I hope that members of Congress, the press, and the people will provide ongoing, highly publicized observations of the facilities and pressure to release children to their families in the United States, because 90 days is too long to detain or imprison asylum seekers or children. I also would like United Nations observers to come in, because we can trust the Trump Administration and its enablers to follow the laws they've sworn to uphold.
1
One might long for the Democratic in the House to present a united front 100% of the time. For then they'd be an overwhelming force against the entrenched Republicans. But such unison would not serve democracy well. As the R's have proven over and over, their lock-step march with the potus tramples over the rights of all Americans in their march for power and ever more money for the already wealthy. The Democrats may be disunited at times, and perhaps even more often than not. But they are the reflection of the diversity of the American people. I'd rather have it that way.
Good to read comments with the courage to express independent thinking on immigration -- humanitarian treatment of adults and children when apprehended for entering illegally, while maintaining enforcement. The candidates tripped over each other to pander to a position essentially calling for open borders (reduce entering the country without documents to a civil misdemeanor). The one exception was Amy Klobuchar. Her independent, balanced position on the issues has made her my first choice (among the 24 candidates) for the Democratic nominee.
3
@MidwesternReader
I'm a republican, and I would vote for Amy Klobucher. I have followed her since that time she announced standing in the blowing snow. She reminded me of Sen. Ernst from Iowa. I was moved tremendously by her story of putting the white bread bags over their shoes because they didn't have boots. I respect those who have learned the value of things.
1
@MidwesternReader I agree about Klobuchar. Realistic. Straightforward. Honest. Balanced. Independent thinker. I didn't vote in the last election--a first for me in my lifetime. I might be persuaded to vote for Klobuchar.
Striking defeat? Disunity in the Party?
Compare that to the silence from most Republicans as the drones and puppet masters of the 1% show their unity and tweet VICTORY!
Messy, down to earth, focused on realities of social justice and global conscience, I choose the Dems every time.
3
Seems to me that this bill put Democrats in an untenable position.
On one hand, hold out for protections for immigrants especially children extending the time during which the situation deteriorates. Even just extending through the Congressional break for July 4th week may result in another tragic image of the death of children at the border which would attach to Democrats, however unfairly.
On the other hand, don't hold out for better protections and risk children at the border still being treated with unethical disdain. At least the consequences of having passed the bill gives Democrats an opportunity to play Pilot - wash their hands of the issue.
12
@Tom - I hope they don't play Pontius Pilate and wash their hands of the crisis at the border.
If anything, it should fire them (and us) up to be more vigilant of what's going on in the internment camps.
Kudos to the journalists and activists who brought this to light.
4
Disunity in the Democratic Presidential candidates mirrors the dysfunction of the DNC. We can only hope that when this circus of candidates leaves town, and the real candidate moves in, and we have a strong DNC platform that will defeat Trump, then we can look forward to what we were - the leader of World Democracy.
1
McConnell "We need to take care of these children by making sure their imprisonment is properly funded. It's only common sense."
1
What was her choice? To stall for a compromise that would never come? Or to take a half a loaf. She did what she had to do. McConnell would never take up a bill that came from the House. She took the only responsible action. Until the next election cycle, do not expect transformation in legislative outcomes. All the more reason to get out and vote and flip the Senate and the WH.
4
Speaker Pelosi let the bill go through because she understands that this is an appalling emergency - the abused children in Trump's cages need help now!
3
To the democrats, they honestly believe that being advocates for open borders and illegal immigration is the road to te-election. Couldn’t be further from the truth. They could care less on the affect this invasion has on small cities across this country, and its citizens.
8
@Pvbeachbum
Rarely mentioned is the effects on local municipalities, including schools. Under Obama over 70,000 unaccompanied minors came over our border *in a single year.*. They were flung out into unsuspecting municipalities. Imagine how those taxpayers felt having to assume the burden of all these children? Democrats clearly don't care.
7
Each passing day the cruelty that affects the refugees and migrants becomes less and less a concern for our representatives. So much for our vaunted Judaeo-Christian values!
So moderate Democrats blocked debate and a House vote on Pelosi's compromise bill that would have added accountability and restrictions to protect children in privately-run concentration camps at the border. Zero House amendments. Zero conference committees to find a compromise. They joined with Republicans to rubber stamp McConnell's bill without any improvements.
"The divisions came to a head when members of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and several lawmakers from Republican-leaning districts forced House Democrats to delay a vote to bring up a new version of the measure, which combined the Senate bill with restrictions and rules previously passed by the House."
1
Mitch McConnell is arguably the most powerful person in our government. How did it come to pass that one person has the power to stop any legislation from coming up for a vote? So with Mitch it's either his way or the highway or, to put it plainly, government by extortion. We call it bipartisanship when it's his way.
2
Isn't getting aid to the children the important thing here. It's a bitter pill to swallow, but a defeat? I think that's just adding drama to the whole situation. If anything, it's a win. A win for those children, who so desperately need the aid. Solve this problem by voting democrats into the Senate. Oh, but first we have to have viable democrats run for the Senate.
3
" But their priorities clashed, the liberal flank was vanquished and the speaker — who had put her reputation on the line, calling herself a “lioness” out to protect children as she held out for stronger protections in the migrant facilities that house them — grudgingly had to accept defeat."
McConnell, as destructive and cynical as any politician who ever lived, must be crowing. Absolutely giddy with vindictive delight.
Pelosi, threatened by factions in her own party, is done in by democratic quislings who have no stamina, little loyalty and absolutely no shame.
Nancy Pelosi is fighting a lonely battle and deserves better.
4
was it? a defeat, that is. children will be helped. Pence made her promises that go along the lines of what the liberal wing wanted. we know, as well as she does, that the Trump administration cannot follow though with what they say. Mrs. Pelosi knows that also. this may be a very savvy political mover on her part. it will all come back to bite Trump in the Wait! Watch!
2
In the world of the article Democrats can be either Liberal or Moderate (also named: Centrist). Maybe it is time to admit that some are not in the middle but at the right side of the political spectrum and call them Conservatives.
The priorities are quite clear: getting out of town for the weeklong vacation.
6
Democrats really need to decide what party they are. Unfortunately, in this day and age, moderates are a problem because the issues we face require bold leadership and change. We can’t ‘moderate’ our way out of climate change. It’s too late for moderation.
3
The Republicans can never again claim to be the party of family values.
6
"Moderate Democrats privately told House Democratic leaders that they were wary of supporting a bill that provided less money for ICE that could later be used against them in their re-election campaigns to portray them as weak on immigration enforcement"
These people have learned nothing. If moderate Dems truly believe that voting for this cave-in will prevent them from being called soft on border security, then they are either the stupidest or the most naive people on the planet. Sadly, they may be both.
3
Defeat for Pelosi? I’d say just the opposite. A more appropriate headline would be “Congress does its job. Passes bipartisan legislation to address border crisis.”
8
@Bill
The writers clearly see this as a win for Trump and therefore an automatic defeat, which is a pretty narrow and partisan viewpoint. Best thing was to pass this bill.
3
Russia, the NRA and Republicans must be loving the so called disunity. Pelosi has 100% of my support. Not Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders, but Harris and Warren. But who is going to vote for a woman? Certainly not enough people to elect her. Why? Racism, sexism, disinformation and articles that increase disunity in a large and powerfully diverse Democratic Party. We aren't divided. We all dislike Trump and Republicans with a vengeance. But the way things work is compromise.
As for Trump, he'll do whatever he wants with the money and may not even sign it becasue his wall isn't the featured focus. So really does it matter thaer was some disunity in the Democrats in the House?
All I can say is vote for Republicans and you vote for the incarceration of babies, toddlers and children, and family separations when these most vulnerables have no say so in anything and could actually be housed with their families instead of seperated. In fact you vote for No Soap For You if you think Republicans are anything more than a heartless sham and scam to American democracy.
2
This is not a defeat for Pelosi. She's doing what's possible now and in the best interests of the children.
This doesn't mean that the House cannot pass bills with their demands in the days or weeks to come.
Stop depicting politics as a football game. That mindset is partly responsible for giving us the horrible player who is in the White House now.
2
Pelosi didn’t “have to accept defeat”. She chose to go with the right wing of her party, as she does nearly every time. Then there’s the role of Schumer who completely sold out.
Democrats and Republicans have long lost the ability to negotiate and compromise. Now that inability seems to have taken grip inside the Democratic party itself.
This is an extremely bad omen. It takes me back to 1980 when party infighting resulted in Senator Teddy Kennedy's primary challenge against President Jimmy Carter. It helped Ronald Regan to the White House.
And the rest is history.
We always knew the GOP is more interested about being re-elected then actually doing something to resolve a humanitarian crisis. But, now we know the moderate and conservative Dems do too - re-election first, caring about their fellow human being, last.
1
Speaker Pelosi speaks about protecting “children”. These are foreign children that you want to protect Madam Speaker. They are foreigners, born in a foreign country, who have entered the United States illegally.
6
Increasing numbers of Central Americans are coming to our border, requesting asylum, because we are letting virtually all of them in. 90% of those who ask for asylum pass the initial interview to be allowed into our country to await an immigration hearing. At their hearings, a judge listens to their entire stories to determine if they qualify for asylum as laid out by the U.N. Convention on Refugees. Judges have been finding that only 13% of Central American families qualify for asylum, but Progressive Democrats have been refusing to adequately fund Immigration’s deportation service so few of those with denied claims have been deported.
Central Americans see that if one comes here with a minor and tells the border patrol that they are fleeing persecution that they will be let in and allowed to stay … even if the Immigration Court denies their request for asylum. It is therefore not a surprise that more and more Central Americans have decided to come here.
More migrants means more crowding in the border patrol’s processing facilities. It is good that the House finally agreed to give more money to the Immigration Service. Now it can improve the facilities where migrants are being processed when they enter the country, and it can deport more of the people whom immigration judges have found do not qualify for asylum.
As Central Americans begin to see that more of those with failed claims are being deported, fewer of them will decide to come here.
14
@ann
The "creditable claim" standard is that if it is possible, even if unlikely, they pass the initial interview. During their journey, they are coached by the people profiting from the futility of their actions to say the right words that get them released to fade into the underground.
The families that were scheduled to be rounded up last Sunday had already had their day in court and had final orders of deportation. And the Democrats flipped out at the inhumanity of it all. What is the point Democrats are trying to make if after a judge has determined they are not entitled to stay they should still be permitted to remain.
5
@ann We should let all those seeking asylum into the country. We should house them and give them jobs typically done by migrant workers. This is the humane thing to do, and in the long run its better for our economy. Over time they would assimilate and take care of themselves. At the same time we should institute some sort of Marshall Plan in Central America to improve lives and conditions there so people from those countries would be inclined to stay, not flee.
I won't be dropping my support for Pelosi because some actual legislation was passed. This reads like a Mitch McConnell press release, with a full frontal attack on the Speaker.
I thought I was reading the Times - reporting news, not attempting to create it?
5
"Striking defeat..."? I won't be dropping my support for Pelosi because some actual legislation was passed. This reads like a Mitch McConnell press release, with a full frontal attack on the Speaker.
I thought I was reading the Times - reporting news, not attempting to create it?
2
The hypocrisy of this party is something to behold. They complain incessantly about the deplorable conditions for kids and families,
demonizing Trump for doing nothing and then attempt to kill billions of dollars aimed at helping, before they go on vacation.
The best response for such hypocrisy...... Vote for Trump in 2020.
12
@JAC
The only blessing is that the desire to go on holiday limited the amount of time they were willing to devote to raging.
4
Considering this was a vote for a “non-existent” crisis at the border I’m in total shock that the Democrats folded like a wet noodle. Wow!
Just imagine if DACA and the Wall were up for a vote!
8
Democrats were asked four months ago by the Trump Administration for help with the order crisis - including humanitarian aide. What did they tell us? There was no crisis. It wa “manufactured.” Now leftist Democrats are trying to convince us they’re heroes by holding out for additional extras like “humane lighting”? What a sorry bunch of hypocrites. If they cared about children they wouldn’t have blocked Trump’s request 4 months ago.
14
@XLER
If Trump says, "up", they say, "down". This is the mindset that has governed democrats and the media since Trump was elected. Sometimes democrats have to actually get back to work. Not often, but sometimes.
4
Will trump use the money to take care of children he forcefully too away from their parents or is he going to use it on his blasted wall ?
1
I think this may be a good thing for Nancy. It shows she wants the best for the immigrants. Had she fought this, it would have looked very bad for the Democratic candidates who "want the best for the immigrants...."! It may have been hard for her...but she's a very smart woman and I'm sure she weighed the risks.
2
@J. G. Smith
She was prepared to showboat, but her subjects are not as compliant as the ones who followed her orders to vote for the bill so they could see what was in it.
2
Pelosi can't control the Senate...when this bill passed by such a margin there, she had little choice...the alternative is "Dems don't care about the children" in constant tweets from the guy who created all the problems in the first.
2
@Mary
Obama created the crisis. Trump is cleaning up the mess he left by creating the illusion that children would be permitted to stay, along with their parents.
5
Way to cave, Pelosi, Hoyer and Clyburn!
The Senate is not much better. There is no strength in weakness. Just remember the voters have the final say.
1
A "90-day time limit on spending time in temporary intake facilities"???? Do you know what 90 days in such a place would be like?
We have a new definition of hell.....
3
At the start of this Congress in January, I and many others bought into Speaker Pelosi as a fighter, who could and would stand down Trump and the Senate Republicans. Six months later, my initial impression of Pelosi as a bulwark against the dictatorial Trump and the supine Senate have all but evaporated. Sorry to say, the Democrats are setting themselves up for defeat in 2020.
3
Go along to get along.
1
So Pelosi caved after Pence promised to keep her up to date on the kids who are killed?
Seriously what is even the point of voting for Democrats at this point? I do not think I’ve ever seen a party so weak and so unfit for the present moment. Utterly shameful. I am truly repulsed by their spinelessness.
8
Spines have little to do with this situation. Of course we want better conditions for the migrant children, but any changes to the bill would clearly have been defeated in the Senate. Result: No bill at all, leaving these kids with even less, and the blame would have fallen on the Democrats.
The Republicans don’t care at all for these children. That is reason enough to vote for Democrats.
9
Save your repulsion for Trump and his cronies.
@Vin
The children who have died in custody became ill while travelling with their negligent parents who were prepared to sacrifice the children because it increased the probability that they would be caught and released. The tragedy of the children is that they have disgusting parents who view them as pawns.
4
The partisan split now is the worst I have seen since I could first vote in 1973. Pelosi may have done the right thing for the migrants, but she caved to the Republicans. The limits of here weakness are exposed and will be exploited. These people could care less if 100,000 people die at their hands to meet their objectives, children or not. They have complete and total contempt of the Constitution, morality or any sense of humanity. Power and control to establish a government in their own image is all that matters.
Nancy, you are play chess with mobsters.
6
Nancy made the right call to get the money to the children and families.
6
So, the Democrats went from telling us there was no crisis at our border - to them approving $4.6B to address the crisis at our border.
Priceless.
20
Please, all Democrat Party supporters and House Democrats:
I am 80 years old and have been a Democratic thinker since I could think truly rationally and strategically. Likely, at about 35 YO; a woman of that time. I learned all that I know in life ( a second generation immigrant child) that I could learn from elders who proved to be angels in my road. I posit this: this section of your younger lives as a Congressional Representative is an opportunity to grow in wisdom, learn subtle congressional rationale and subsequent strategies. It is NOT time for a divisive argument within your own party. There is NO time. At this crucial phase in America, there should not be arguments in the Democratically held House of the government of the US. Please, all of you must meet, listen and learn what you you can from each other; seniors, juniors, and freshman; and what you can and cannot do as a majority in the House. You are protecting ALL of the American people, not only your districts. Learn from those in the House who know and have proved their credibility. Sometimes, giving-in saves lives. MORE WORK to do; get rid of this cruel false dictator who kills children and tears brown families apart. And a corrupt and arrogant party that blithely rips up our structure of government. Go get the tyrants later, after the children are fed and bathed.
7
This $4.6B is absolutely peanuts.
See tonight’s debate.
Wait till the next D President provides all illegal immigrants free healthcare - as all 10 D candidates promised tonight.
11
@Dr. John
Well, Biden wasn't sure whether he raised his hand or not. He might not be bound by the promise because he was obviously confused.
It was entertaining that not all of the candidates were in favor of Medicaid for all, but at least nine, maybe ten, were sure they were covering illegal aliens.
3
When the deportations ramp up, those democrats who voted for this must have primary challenges!! Only way to hold them accountable.
1
She is completely bankrupt on this issue. Top to bottom. Denied it was a problem until it was a crisis. She’s lost all credibility on immigration and it was honestly a reach for her to remain in the leadership. We’re watching the party crash and burn as they cannibalize themselves for the media class in the debate tonight. Almost every one of them deeply flawed and pandering fools.
8
@F. Jozef K.
It does make you wonder why she didn't advance immigration reform in 2009 while there were 60 Democrats in the Senate.
4
"Madam No" sold her sold her soul to the lunatic fringe Progressives. Hopefully, there will be many more defeats for her and her ilk.
5
Nance...you got played! Here’s what you do, call a vote every day which lowers the taxes for the middle class and makes the rich and and corporations pay more. Make the senate knock it down and show the people who vote for those GOP senators that they do not care about the middle class. Wash rinse and repeat to create your own talking points while making the GOP look bad. Got it?
5
@Steve
Sounds like a good way to repeat her 2009-2010 shenanigans. Forcing moderate Democrats to vote for Obamacare and carbon cap and trade cost her the military jet that flew her home every weekend, since she was no longer Speaker if the House.
1
Speaker Pelosi is the wrong person for the job. Same goes for Minority Leader Schumer. Democrats have weak leadership in both houses of Congress. It’s depressing and sad.
2
“Moderate” Democrats is a misnomer. The term “Vichy” Democrats keeps coming to mind. From the 1990s collaborations to the era of McConnell, especially now combined with Trump, “Vichy” may not be a perfect comparison, but it is fair and reasonably applicable.
2
@Donna Nieckula
It's a decent comparison. They are traitors to fellow Americans in order to personally benefit. Reelection is everything to them. Fortunately for Americans, they frequently miscalculate.
2
Pelosi is listening to the people of the USA rather than AOC and her cadre. This is what a leader is supposed to do.
5
The Democrats have caved in again. We the people will not always live to fight another day.
4
The Republican senate seems to think detained children should be imprisoned...
-without basic items for hygiene like soap and toothbrushes
-without personal space like at least 2 meters of living space
-without sleep (as the lights are on all day and night)
-in “temporary” intake facilities for longer than 90 days
And I side with the liberal Democrats here- children obviously should have soap and no, they shouldn’t be living crammed in like sardines without at least 2 meters of space.
But while the debate is focused on what human rights these children should be guaranteed while “detained” (aka imprisoned), we also shouldn’t forget our outrage over children being kept in these camps in the first place.
5
@L Brown
The Senate vote was 84-8. That is called a bipartisan vote, not a Republican vote.
5
The headline should be - Pelosi puts policy over politics and scores a win for the US Congress to addresses a humanitarian crisis.
8
Thank you!
5
Sublime timing, is it not, that the day on which we all have our knickers in a knot over the Supreme Court allowing partisan Gerrymandering, the House “moderate” Democrats show it really doesn’t make a difference, now does it?
2
Speaker Pelosi did it for the kids, period! She said so and I agree with her assessment and change of heart. To say she lost is just politics as usual. The Democrats are trying to play fair, but the Republicans pull out all stops.
I say to the House, give Donald Trump his big beautiful wall just to shut him up. Pay for the best (the highest and the biglyess). I want to see reactions when the Republicans notice that people are coming through the gates!
I believe in Speaker Pelosi. You may not but the politics are not available for her to start assaulting this corruption, just yet.
So everyone just calm down and things will work out.
Hope will win against fear and hate!
Rational thinking not emotional thinking will lead our way forward.
1
"Pelosi retreated after Pence gave her private assurances .."
Wonder what those assurances were ..
that if she passes the bill he will let her see what's in it?
2
@Bhaskar
How can any Democrat believe any assurances coming from Pence... or McConnell... or Trump... or federal judge or SCOTUS nominee... or Trump Cabinet and federal agency nominees... etc., etc., etc.?
Like it’s said, doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result, is a sign of insanity.
2
Moderate Democrats are simply white conservatives who can’t get elected as republicans. Pelosi has no progressive majority in the House. Never did. And, as a result of the SC decision on gerrymandering, no House leader ever will. The best she can hope for is a moderate capitulation that slows the reactionary tide. The earth lost its last best hope today.
1
Folks, we have to get real about "immigration issues": We ain't seen nothin' yet. Climate change is going to escalate this crisis exponentially in the years to come. We need to work now to put reasonable policies and risk management in place. How do we address root causes of failed states (many of which the US is creating and exacerbating)? How do we mitigate the worst impacts of climate change that contribute to failed states and economic collapse/desperation? How do we help women who suffer the most severe consequences of climate change (recent article on this topic) get family planning in this "birth control is abortion" culture? How do we improve and scale rapidly expensive humanitarian border policy when we ourselves are suffering increasing climate change costs; ecological, social and political destabilization (collapse?); and a general willful ignorance or downright tribalism among the voters who are critical to changing the course of this country? And most importantly: Even with the majority of voters on the side of sanity, How do you change a rigged political system that is designed to reinforce itself with gerrymandering, three corrupted branches, and fascist capitalists buying elections?
As David Orr says: You can be hopeful, but the evidence does not support optimism.
3
If border control was better enforced, there would be no need to discuss this. Or send $4.5 billion that could be spent on helping the homeless.
9
The reason this passed is because the wrong speaker was chosen to start with. This may be the first of several other betrayals in her pipeline. She’s stayed too long in Washington, it’s what happens when they stay too long over there.
1
Nonsense. It was passed because there was no other way to get these kids anything at all. Any other Speaker would also have had no choice but to pass the bill.
2
I have read this and re-read it and only one question comes to me. Why are liberal and moderate Democrats doing this? Why do our lawmakers seem to have simply folded and decided to pass a bill like this, a bill that is exactly what the Republicans want? The whole country appears to have been lobotomized and we do no more than shrug at the latest terrible thing.
While descriptions of the infighting and congressional agita associated with the passage of this bill is somewhat entertaining; providing a simple, unbiased comparison of the two versions would be more useful to readers. Relying on the quotes of politicians who probably didn’t read either version to interpret the differences doesn’t do much for anyone. Thx.
1
Pelosi cared about the children so she allowed her caucus to vote for them. Now, the rest of America has to show they care by fighting this administration. What the children need is not toothbrushes and soap, it is their families. Stop the separations.
9
I don't understand why those in Congress who passed the legislation that has created this illegal immigration mess have not been called to account.
11
@John Corr
The last comprehensive immigration laws passed were during Reagan administration, by a Democrat House and Senate, with the exception of a single law passed under the Bush administration, also with a Democrat Congress. Under Reagan, illegal aliens were granted amnesty with the prospect of increased enforcement in the future. E-Verify was established in 1996, but the last three presidents never were able to turn it into an effective tool.
1
Live to fight another day. This war is just getting started. And it is a war.
8
@Thomas Payne you are quite correct.
Vote Blue. No matter who.
2
From "not $1" to $4.6 billion, the Speaker has come a long way.
She just conceded.. to the truth.
She just conceded .. that we have a border crisis.
She just conceded .. that we cannot have open borders.
She just conceded .. that we must not tolerate illegal immigration.
She just conceded .. that we need ICE.
Pelosi just conceded .. that Trump was right all along.
23
No she didn’t. She couldn’t leave town without doing something for the children, even a flawed bill. It’s an awful compromise but not an agreement with Trump.
4
She did no such thing.
The "private assurances" of VP Pence were relied on by Ms. Pelosi.
Funniest thing I have read today.
Please, nobody tell her about that beautiful Bridge in Brooklyn that's for sale, or the Easter Bunny.
We must maintain the illusion of Democracy at all costs.
Compromising on Republican terms is what Centrist Democrats do.
5
The Democrats just lost the moral high ground. Time to vote for a third party.
5
Why? So even more right-wing radicals can get elected? That’s how we got into this mess.
3
Terrible idea. If everyone who voted for Stein had voted for Clinton, we would not be in this mess.
2
@Thomas Adamson
If the DNC had allowed any Democrat to compete with Hillary for the Democrat nomination, she would not have gotten the nomination. It's also likely Trump would not have gotten the Republican nomination.
1
Why would you headline this as a defeat??? She did exactly what our legislators are supposed to do - she found a compromise that works for both sides, even though it was not exactly what she wanted. Shame on the Times for perpetuating the stigma that Republicans have managed to attach to a proper execution of our political mechanisms.
23
4.5 billion dollars? At $750 per child per day, that is sufficient to detain about 16,400 children for one year.
Running a concentration camp is a good business. It would be a shame to cut into profits by providing bedding, soap, or toothpaste.
8
@joshbarnes
Where did you come up with the $22,500 per month cost to detain a child? How much soap and toothpaste do you believe they are going to use? Are we airlifting fresh caviar from Russia daily?
You are going to have to decide whether they are going to be tortured for $10 per day with no hot running water, soap or toothpaste and just bread and water to eat or living in unbelievable luxury.
This is why I will not vote for an establishment Democrat. Run Joe Biden: Ensure Trump wins again.
We need a fierce party. We have sad surrendering cowards.
6
And if you don't vote and help to insure a trump win then you will get the government and Supreme Court which will sit conservatively for decades that you deserve. Sometimes 1/2 an apple is better than none when you are starving. THINK please.
2
@Millie T-if you vote for anyone other than the Democratic nominee or don't vote, you are voting for Trump. Let that sink in.
3
Why would Pelosi agree to anything that would empower Trump and this WH?
2
Why would Pelosi deny assistance to these desperate children?
3
It is unhelpful to describe every compromise as "victory" or "defeat".
Yes, sometimes one side or the other has take less than they want. Sometimes even a lot less.
But that's democracy.
By turning every single issue into an existential battle, the media perpetuates and indeed widens the divisions in this country.
19
I am sure the detainees at the border are very happy with the Senate bill.
1
IOW, the system worked, for a change. That's certainly nice to see.
Perhaps we'll see more bipartisan bills signed into law. The American people would certainly embrace and celebrate that outcome.
8
Speaker Nancy Pelosi is correct on this vote. It would have been too time consuming to broker a compromise with the Senate Republicans prior to the July 4th recess. Thus the Trump administration will no longer have any excuses to fix their humanitarian crisis at our southern border they alone created. I’m sure they were stunned and surprised, that Speaker Pelosi, pulled this rabbit out of the hat. As soon as the president signs the appropriations bill, they will have the resources, and can no longer blame the Democrats. Unfortunately, they have no answers. The ball is in their corner to produce results. Let’s all hope and pray that they have a plan, and the children will be appropriately taken care of, as their families applications for asylum are adjudicated as per our United States laws.
Progressive Democrats, support Speaker Pelosi, for she is looking at the overall bigger picture. If no funding would have been approved prior to the congressional recess, the children would have continue to suffer needlessly, and President Trump would have had the ammunition to continue blaming the Democrats, despite not having any answers to fix his self inflicted humanitarian crisis. They are all now in the hot seat. Well played Nancy Pelosi!
10
"Moderate Democrats privately told House Democratic leaders that they were wary of supporting a bill that provided less money for ICE that could later be used against them in their re-election campaigns to portray them as weak on immigration enforcement..." Occam's Razor cuts straight to the bone.
4
McConnell and Trump are holding the children hostage. For me, the main thing is, the children get some food, clean water, medical care and possibly some comfort like a blanket and if it means bribing McConnell and Trump with money for their precious wall, so be it.
You cannot reason with a person who gloat over the bodies of a drowned child.
9
From "not $1" to $4.2 billion, Pelosi has come a long way.
Pelosi just conceded.. to the truth.
Pelosi just conceded .. that we have a border crisis.
Pelosi just conceded .. that we cannot have open borders.
Pelosi just conceded .. that we must not tolerate illegal immigration.
Pelosi just conceded .. that we need ICE.
Pelosi just conceded .. that Trump was right all along.
9
Pelosi concedes nothing. She proves she has a heart that cares for easing the suffering of innocents. That you make their terrible (and unnecessary) plight political is deplorable.
1
@Bhaskar
She "conceded" none of that.
The Congress just got blackmailed into giving Trump money to "solve" a problem that his administration created.
By the way, John Kelly, the former DHS Secretary, is now on the board of directors of the for-profit company that runs the facility in Homestead, Florida where many of these kids are being held. He advocated separating kids from their families, and now he is making money based on separating kids from their families.
Headline:
John Kelly's new role on a detention center board set off ethics concerns that he may be profiting from the child separation policy he pushed
Link:
https://www.businessinsider.com/john-kelly-new-role-will-profit-from-child-separation-policy-2019-5
Everybody in the Trump administration is tainted. What a collection of liars, scammers, cheats, and low-lifes. Oh, by the way, they are all ... Republicans.
3
This is why I voted independent in the last several elections. The Democratic Party is it's own worst enemy. My mother introduced me to politics at the tender age of 8 when she started taking me to her League of Women Voter's meetings.
Being primarily raised by women, I was used to strong black women, but was truly initiated into the world of strong women in general when she took me to my first meeting. These ladies were, fierce and united in their goals and objectives. The heirs to what they started back then have caused me to shake my head over and over again. The Democratic Party has become the party of disorganized off message, wimpy, power clutching dinosaurs. I continually winced through Obama(it's a miracle he accomplished as much as he did) two terms as he had almost no supporting cast with any kind of guts or conviction to support the parties goals and objectives. There was just another upset in this city, where the VOTERS went against the party machine. Old Guard take note and please do us all a favor by stepping aside, and let the new generation that truly represent what the voters want and need in their elected officials What we have going on right now will give Trump term #2 for sure.
This amateurish party needs to stop the schoolyard beatings they are taking from the republicans.
4
Speaker Pelosi is becoming a sad disappointment. She believes she can navigate the rough waves of the House Democrats, but all she has accomplished so far is to allow herself and her colleagues to be punched in the faced by trump, Mitchell and the rest of the ruthless Republicans who know how to get their way. It's been months since Mueller issued his report and nothing has changed. At this pace, it's hard to be optimistic about the Democrats retaining the House, and forget the Senate and the White House.
3
Compromise is often described as an agreement in which nobody is happy. The choice for the Democrats was to face ads on being “soft” on border security or ads accusing them of ignoring the genuine crisis at the border.
It is a tribute to Speaker Pelosi’s skill and maturity to understand the bad hand she was dealt and do the right thing to get the aid where it needs to be as soon as possible. One can hope that the NYT and their colleagues will continue to report the sins of Trump and his minions.
7
With all due respect to Speaker Pelosi, I just wish she would fight for the Democrats as hard as she fought for the welfare of those helpless children. Lately, her words and her actions for her party are not always in sync, much less on the same page.
I have not given up on her yet, but there are days that I simply just sit and wonder "what the heck Nancy? What are you doing?"
39
@Marge Keller
You have infinite patience. Our democracy and liberty, not so much. Time for grandma’ to live her dream and spend all her time with her grandchildren and let others lead. The only things she’s done well is “the clap” and preventing “it” from giving the state of the union as “it” desired. She’s useless and our democracy is literally dying.
5
@Marge Keller
What she is doing is standing up for basic human rights, for children who are traumatized and suffering, for true values. Party is NOT more important than human rights, even -- especially -- if it is our own Party. If we let party "trump" human rights, how are we different from Trump and the Republicans?
7
@Marge Keller-- giving $ to the very same authorities who, by definition- are working for Trump ( who created this inhuman catastrophe and shame )- makes absolutely no sense. WHY is it that the USA is INCAPABLE of learning how other countries SOLVED SIMILAR ( or even worse) refugee/ immigration problems !? don't we have the experties for it !?
we're facing this problem because Trump is let to remain
in the WH- to manufacture such horrific scenarios.
and Madam Speaker is the one to blame since she has NOT YET fulfilled her Constitutional obligation /responsibility and initiate impeachment hearings.
4
This is why Democrats lose elections. They give in without a fight. Wimps!
5
@SJE
Thre's no fighting Mitch McConnell and a lockstep Republican Senate...and winning.
“[U]s progressives cannot take for granted.” You mean WE progressives cannot take for granted. Sorry
1
Interesting that the NY Times declares a bill that does little to protect migrant children while giving a prevaricating President the purse strings as a 'defeat' for Democrats. I think America lost this one to a corrupt McConnell (and s Schumer, apparently) that cares little about the welfare of migrant children.
3
Nancy: “Et tu, Chuck?”
2
So disappointing on multiple levels. Children are legally defined as vulnerable and legally entitled to protection in all US States. We are not observing our own laws here. I do not know what to do with my dismay and outrage.
5
Well, there's always Twitter.
2
I’m sick of the politics from the GOP. They are relentless in making everything cruel for the sake of their party interest. Is there anything left of decency, law, morals. Politics has become an ever increasing game and nothing about preserving the country. Nothing, nothing matters to people who are all about the win. Pelosi is not the enemy. She works to end the cruelty of a Kentucky senators attempts to take this country back to a time when others did not matter. I await the time that he becomes other.
5
Republicans always stay unified while democrats crack under the slightest pressure and always bend their principles to avoid risks. I'm totally fed up. If democrats don't follow their leader they need to be unseated by more loyal candidates with the support of the DNC. The current establishment is so disappointing.
4
Won't Trump try to get his hands on the money, for "collective" humanitarian needs, like funding some sort of physical barrier? I wouldn't put it past him.
The republicans conceived and engineered this crisis with the same precision they utilized to gerrymander their way into a majority and take the 2016 election. Diabolical and ruthless.
The democrats are beginning to crack and apparently have no clue that they are once again being totally owned by McConnell.
Pelosi is right and has the stomach for a fight. But she was forced cede her principles by faint hearted "problem solvers".
Picture McConnell grinning ear to ear.
7
We will target those blue dogs and force get jobs that do not require moral principles toward democrats. Injust see how trump will win
Obviously time to send Pelosi to Jurassic Park, along with other aged Democrats.
Need new generation, with PRINCIPLES.
4
What’s happening with Mexico and the immigrating-hopeful families and children is shameful. There are no “fine people on both sides,” only those with their heads in the sand and Republicans.
1
Note that few or none of these wavering Dems seemed to care one iota about the children being mistreated in our name.
No - their sole concern was their re-election.
Have they no morals? No shame?
8
The abuse of the immigrant children and toddlers has been going on for months, in various locations. Where was Pelosi on this issue? Why wasn't there Congressional inquiries months ago as to what was happening with the children??? It took some COURAGEOUS lawyers to shine a light on these atrocities, then Pelosi had to hurry to act, and of course fumbled it, badly. She's a doddering 79 year old, and this is not managing a Bingo Night at the Country Club. I'm perplexed as to why, other than ego, did Pelosi want to be Speaker again. To do what? Repeat her previous mistakes? Be timid in the face of challenges that require action? I knew we were in trouble when Pelosi posed with the gavel as though that was all she wanted. It's ridiculous. William Barr is actively killing investigations into Trump's criminality, what has Pelosi said or done? Crickets. Steve Mnuchin laughs and where are Trump's Tax Returns? Crickets. Where are the witnesses to make impeachment "ironclad"? Crickets. Seriously, it's time for Pelosi to hand the gavel over to someone more capable. Man I wish AOC was ready. But even Barbara Lee, or Eric Swalwell. Please. time is ticking!
3
Pence's private assurances are worthless. Trump will ignore them.
we are already giving the "contractors" half a million dollars a year for every person that they bring to the boarder. now the contractors will get a million dollars for each person that they bring to the boarder.
1
You have no reason to call it a "defeat". This matter was simply not a hill to die on; something Speaker Pelosi clearly recognized, unlike the radical left fractions within her caucus.
4
They want to short change the health and welfare of these children so they can get home in time for July 4th?
Most Americans show more concern for children and more dedication to doing their jobs thoroughly and well.
My heart goes out to the immigrant kids. BUT I just wish the progressives, activists, anti-Trumpers, and their allies in the media were this worked up over the 15 MILLION AMERICAN CHILDREN living in poverty.
Yes, let's get these detained/interned immigrant children soap and toothbrushes, but also do something about school lunch debt.
11
This is not a defeat at all. It's a win for bipartisanship and compromise. The twitter comment from the supposedly "progressive" Democrat is outrageous.
10
For reasons I do not understand, the Senate Democrats voted in large numbers for the bill that the House didn't want. Kids need shelter, good food, hygiene, and recreation. YES- make it into a summer camp if you have to. It's not their fault ICE picked them up. If you pick up a defenseless child, then it becomes your responsibility. Not to mention the surrounding communities were willing to DONATE supplies to the children. Kids are the same whether they're from Beverly Hills or the hills of Guatemala. And send aide to Central America instead of sending troops to the Middle East (most probably Iraq!). When is the Gong Show of 2016 going to finally end? And another thing- if all the presidential candidates would hold a forum instead of a debate, and put their minds together on how to move forward with an agenda for undecideds and independent voters as well as on the major issues, I believe a natural leader would emerge after 2-3 days of serious discussions. This rating system the reporters are so eager to weigh in on- who's ahead? Who stumbled? Who is going to drop out? A real debate is carried out between two teams- one in favor of a proposition and the other against. The audience then decides at the end who did a better job. If everyone is on the same side with only small differences amongst the participants, it's unseemly to pit one against the other. Will I watch? Yes. But it's somewhat irrelevant- even cruel. IMO, they all deserve a chance to serve (in some capacity).
1
Can they use the money for the wall? If not, this was the best we could do.
1
Why does this all have to be seen through the lenses of a horse race and a "defeat", if finally something is being done to adress the human catastrophe at the border?
OK. It's not everything -- but it's something.
And given the constant deadlock in Congress between the two parties, at least that can be considered as progress.
7
The Republicans control the Senate and the White House - they have the power here.
This means that the Democratic House must substantially compromise to get any legislation through. If you want the emergency aid to get to the border you must be willing to compromise. This is basic governance under our Constitution, and Pelosi got the best deal she could under the time constraints.
Those Democrats that don't like it need to win the White House and the Senate in 2020 - then Dems can begin doing things their way.
6
Today, Congresswoman A.C.Cortez is my hero. I look for one everyday to help me remain sane while I witness the human rights violations of innocent children in America. Those children are going to be irrevocably harmed. The money Senate bill passed by by the House is not going to improve their lives. A toothbrush and soap won’t do it. Only getting them reunited with family will ease their torment. No dollar amount of reparation in the future will make what is being done to them right. White middle class people like me and Speaker Pelosi will go on. But those children will have PTSD and suffer forever. The Congress has once again let everyone down; those who are victims as well as the constituency that is helpless to change anything. Speaker Pelosi is wrong. She is writing her own legacy. It might as well be an epitaph. What she ISN’T doing now will TRUMP all of her strides during a long career.
2
Pelosi had no good option here.
Not passing a bill would be construed as denying children basic human needs for political reasons.
Passing the bill is capitulation to Republican power.
It was a no win and we have all, Democrats and Republicans, lost another piece of our souls.
3
“Moderate Democrats privately told House Democratic leaders that they were wary of supporting a bill that provided less money for ICE that could later be used against them in their re-election campaigns to portray them as weak on immigration enforcement . . .”
This statement explains a lot. Re-election is far more important than doing the right thing.
Both parties are on the same team. And they're playing us.
4
Those humanitarian standards drafted by Representative Dr. Raul Ruiz of California need to mandated into a stand alone piece of House legislation and sent to Mitch for Senate action.
“In order to get resources to the children FASTEST, we will reluctantly pass the Senate bill,” Ms. Pelosi said in a letter to Democratic lawmakers. “As we pass the Senate bill, we will do so with a battle cry as to how we go forward to protect children in a way that truly honors their dignity and worth.” Thanking Speaker Pelosi for remembering the children first, while politics take second place.
It would be difficult, and one does not want to venture there, to envision a greater, more dangerous and irresponsible presidency and its administrating efforts. There should be cartoons of a bundle of lawyers in their suits changing diapers, without soiling their manicured hands in these wretched detention centers.
Do not be surprised if The President attempts to place the blame for this state of affairs on the Democrats; he has been called many names but 'humanitarian' is not one of these, and for Americans who care, hoping they will keep their eyes on the well-being of these children. Another ugly chapter in this era of Trump.
1
For the commenters here who are decrying the thought of "decriminalizing illegal entry" into the U.S., take a look at the 1929 origins of Section 1325 of Title 8 of the United States Code. (Before then, entry into the U.S. without authorization was a civil offense. Under Section 1325, it became a misdemeanor.)
In particular, note that the architect of that 1929 statute was Sen. Coleman Livingston Blease, a criminal lawyer and neo-Confederate politician from South Carolina (during the Jim Crow era). As noted in a piece today in the Washington Post, his “ideas gained currency as part of a larger effort to enforce racial exclusion a century ago, including through national origin quotas and a complete ban on immigrants from Asia. That system was scrapped during the civil rights era, but criminal penalties for unlawful entry remain.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/06/27/julian-castro-beto-orourke-section-immigration-illegal-coleman-livingstone-blease/?utm_term=.f817eea70b74
Hmm? What do you think of declaring a desire for bipartisanship just after the election now? I thought is was ill advised.
If the immigrants get no money while politicians squabble...will they be better off or worse off? Are the principled progressives ready to make things even worse? Passing this bill while holding our noses gets money where it needs to go. Pelosi did what anyone with a gun to her head would do. She put the immigrants above partisan political suicide.
And then, and then, fight the good fight for these people on another front. At the ballot box. Republicans have become the party of human rights violations - the party of child abuse. Let them own it. Push it on social media and make it a talking point in every discussion.
6
I thought Reagan took care of the situation in El Salvador with the civil war we supported? Ditto Honduras and Guatemala. Military juntas, all of them.
3
Time for Pelosi to step down. I don't care how good she is at fund raising; she's out of step with her caucus.
4
You didn't read the article did you? Moderate Democrats defected to vote for the bill. The Democratic party is not monolithic even though the right would like to label it as such. This was a fait accompli!
You are reporting on politics as if it is a game, about “wins” and “defeats”. It is not a game. It is our lives.
Better you should focus on values, diplomacy, goals and outcomes, and how political policies in a democracy are crafted, negotiated and compromises.
When politics are outweighing policies as a reflection of our nation’s ethics and values, then it is a game and we all have lost.
Please raise your journalistic approach to analyze issues, and okay, strategies, but stop making it personal, about politicians, on a vacuum of policies and people.
When families are drowning in desperation to reach hope, there are bigger issues that “defeat” of House policies which frankly have some shared issues in the Senate bill.
You get the point. Dare I say it? Be better.
5
I’m a Dem and boy do I wish we had our own version of MCConnell. Hate him or hate him, but he’s in charge of his party and gets stuff done. Notwithstanding an actual verbal map, granny Pelosi won’t impeach. What use is she? It took the dithering Dems week’s to get Mueller before Congress. Does anyone actually expect the American electorate to care? Does anyone actually think Mueller will do more than play by yesteryears rules?
50
I understand your practical perspective. But I cry for our democracy.
5
@Jeff I just wish Pelosi would just step down. The Democratic Party does not need her do nothing persona.
5
@Butch
What do you expect from impeachment? The Senate will not convict Trump or remove him from office. What would be the point of giving them that victory right before the election? I wish we Democrats had voters like the Republicans because no matter what they don't complain they just go out and vote in lock-step because they know that's how to win elections.
11
If Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is against something then I am automatically for it. She is divisive and unnecessarily provocative. Not a fan!
14
The Trump Administration will misuse the funds, and continue to crueely abuse children and their families. Trump will continue to rip Pelosi apart. It will get worse. Pelosi really should resign, she's awful. The impeachment is evaporating due to her cowardice, and stubborn timidity. This bill was mishandled. Pelosi, at this point, is incapable of being an effective Speaker, at 79 she's too old, and she's too wealthy. She's dealing with a criminal President, and an immoral, destructive Republican party, and she doesn't know how to fight. This will get worse. If you don't aggresively pursue an impeachment inquiry, and put relentless pressure on the Republicans, they will continue to eat Pelosi's lunch. It's so frustrating to watch Pelosi fumble through this; as she fumbles, we lose.
3
@Marc Castle: Any suggestions on how to put relentless pressure on Republicans?
1
Schumer and Pelosi four months ago said there was no crisis at the border, then yesterday senator Schumer displayed the picture of the dead father and daughter immigrants for political gain, that was truly disgusting.
5
What a mess ! How did the USA let it get to this ?
speaker Pelosi and the rest of them must be ashamed , this is not the America we love and cherish
1
McConnell, the one “man” democracy wrecking ball has got to go.
3
This is indeed a turning point for Nancy Pelosi.
Towards retirement we hope...
1
Under the Senate bill the Trump administration will remain a child abuser. But the choice facing Speaker Pelosi was akin to a person who sees a child drowning in a pool. Do you jump in and save the kid? Or build the missing fence around the pool that would have saved the kid?
She put the children first. Now, please fence in the abusers. Make sure a Democratic Senator or Member of the House visits a detention center each day. Pass new House legislation to reestablish standards for treating migrants and their children seeking refuge in the U.S. A suggestion, drawn from long ago military experience, rests on a terrible fact.
Were we at war with Central America we would have to treat migrant children better, under the standards of human decency established for treatment of civilians in time of war by the 1949 Geneva Conventions. The four conventions, often called the laws of war, were inspired by the war crimes of the Nazi and Japanese empires.
I suggest the House pass a bill requiring immigration agencies to observe Article 24 of the fourth Geneva Convention, “The Parties to the conflict shall take the necessary measures to ensure that children under fifteen, who are orphaned or are separated from their families as a result of the war, are not left to their own resources, and that their maintenance, the exercise of their religion and their education are facilitated in all circumstances . . ."
Then let Big Mitch say the kids don't deserve protection.
3
Your assessment is accurate but sadly is falling on daft reasoning by the split Democratic Party....
Oh, cool. Build the wall.
5
Am I wrong? Or does in fact the article say what is in the bill that passed? I could not find it.
1
Ms. Pelosi's action's show that she is a mature leader whose priority is the children. Bravo!!
I too wish that the final bill contained more protections for the children but in the end this is the only feasible way to get more resources to the border for the children. Pelosi did manage to extract a couple agreements from the administration regarding increased communication about the status of the children--again, not what I would have wanted but better than it might have been.
That the US is allowing such treatment of children defies everything I thought I knew about the country. We can take exception to the parents' actions and decisions but the children? I wonder what those children will think about the US when they are old enough to understand how we have allowed such atrocities to take place.
8
I don't understand the reason why this apparantly bad legislation went through, at all. From what I understand from the article the reason is that moderate democrats and republicans wanted to go home for the holidays… Can somebody explain to me whether this is true?
2
How is it possible to lose a political debate on these grounds?
"It would have toughened health and safety standards for detention centers and other facilities, provided money for a pilot processing program in conjunction with nonprofits and reduced some funding for ICE and other agencies. Customs and Border Protection would have had to establish plans and protocols to deliver medical care, improve nutrition and hygiene, and train personnel to ensure the health and safety of children and adults in custody."
1
Speaker Pelosi has done her job as the Leader of the House. This is something the GOP has not done since Obama's election. A SCOTUS seat was stolen. What about any legislation in the Senate? She is capable of something the GOP has been incapable of for 10 long years. Thank you, Speaker Pelosi. You have the best interests of this nation in your heart. We need many more like you in Congress and in state governments as well.
7
This fits a familiar pattern. Because of gerrymandering, the House is so partisan, even within the parties, that nothing gets accomplished. The Senate, elected statewide and more moderate, passes legislation and the House is forced to accept it. At this point, the House is like a vestigial organ that serves as nothing but a rubber stamp for the Senate.
3
It did not take long for Pelosi supporters to see why she should not have been voted again, let alone be Speaker - she should have been home long ago... she is unable to compromise.. a key reason why Republicans will ALWAYS try to undo ACA is because she rammed through with little consensus...
So now Speaker Pelosi depends on promises by Vice President Pence: "....private assurances that the administration would abide by some of the restrictions she had sought." Should we laugh or cry?
12
@Doug Karo
Almost reminds one of Senator Susan Collins depending on reassurances by Mitch McConnell.
1
I don’t know if this was a defeat. Pelosi has been around a long time, some say too long. But, do you suppose she knew how this would work out? She pretty much knew the two houses were at odds and that the House bill had no chance getting past the Senate. It’s just reality, the way things are stacked. At least now there is the possibility of some money and some relief going to the border.
All it needs now is a presidential signature or possibly a veto. If it comes to overriding a veto, doesn’t congress stand a better chance to prevail with the Senate bill?
The troubling part is the self-centered quotes from the House members during the vote. They were worried that voting for the house bill would be trouble for them during their re-election. No mention of children in the quote. In essence, “I work for the good of the people unless it effects my re-election.”
Where is Jimmy Stewart when you need him?
86
@TC
Thank you. Mr. Rogers has been documented for his work and endeavors to enhance the well-being of children. Speaker Nancy Pelosi is not wasting time to show and remind us of what constitutes top priorities on the National Agenda, and she has given some of us hope and inspiration.
9
The problem all along was this was not the right bill to try to reform the system. Democrats were in the position of looking like they were holding migrant children as hostages to their policy agenda. This was the same kind of mistake that doomed Trump's shutdown. I respect the passion of liberal and Hispanic congresspeople, but they need to be a little more pragmatic.
5
Flawed maybe, but helping the kids was what mattered.
6
They didn’t help the kids! Without guarantees and rules dictating how the money is spent none of it will go to the children! Why is this so difficult for everyone to understand?!
3
How can the Democrats lose a debate about whether children held in cages should be provided soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, regular showers, medical care, a bed and clean clothes?
How is this possible?
4
Answer: Easy because look at who’s in charge....
Hint:
NP (and this isn’t short for “No Problem”)
1
"A lioness out to protect children"—
Sounds like Oprah calling herself "a mother bear" when dealing with her African project.
Let's have some "Mother Courage" Ms. Pelosi, doing what the Constitution requires you as Speaker to do—
Begin an impeachment inquiry into the worst president in U.S. history.
7
The assurances from Pence amount to a "concession" that Trump will limit the torturing of children to 90 days. By buying into this rot, Nancy Pelosi now ranks herself as one of the persons responsible for child abuse. Those preparing a representation to the International Criminal Court for the next Administration are no doubt taking note.
1
Shame on you, Pelosi.
You think Pence's "private assurances" are worth anything at all?
You think a dime is going to the kids in the shelters?
The money, our money not yours, is now going to contractors for the wall.
You and Schumer have been snookered again.
Time for the both of you to retire and go home.
6
Once again, the New York Times fails to include a link to the roll call of the vote on the border bill, passed by the House 305-102.
"I just would hate to try to explain that [vote] back home," the Times quoted Representative Mark Pocan, co-chair of the House Progressive Caucus as saying, referring to Democrats who voted for the bill.
Yet how are Times readers supposed to know how their representatives voted if the Times won't inform them? Doesn't our "paper of record" think it's important for people in a democracy to hold their representatives accountable?
So, here's the link to the roll call vote that the Times should have provided:
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2019/roll429.xml
And shame on my own representative, Adam Schiff, a "Democrat" who voted for McConnell's bill that will effectively enable this administration to abuse more children.
4
More and more, Nancy Pelosi looks to me like Neville Chamberlain.
1
I'm so ashamed of this country. I intellectually understand the political reason the moderates in the Democratic carcass voting the way they did; they didn't want to be vulnerable in 2020 and lose their majority in the House. I think the article overplayed the angle of Pelosi suffering a defeat. I want the Democrats to stand up for these children treated so inhumane. It's clear the so called pro life party will support whatever vile misanthropic policies that Trump wants. The Republicans have lost their moral core. When a nation victimizes children through draconian immigration measures and toothless non existent gun laws it is no longer a moral example to the world. It is a mean spirited spiteful aging giant more to be feared than trusted. It recalls a line from the poet W.H. Auden, "So an age ended, and its last deliverer died..."
3
The Democrats do not control 5/6 of the three branches of government. Pelosi can do so much considering she that her 1/6 is very divided.
3
Purge Congress of all Democrats right of AOC. Nominate Sanders, the purists’ candidate. We’ll suffer 4 more years of Trump and at least two more years of Republican majorities in the House and Senate, but you can feel all warm and fuzzy that you didn’t compromise.
9
If the Dems want to spend still more money for detention facilities for hygiene, etc. for the children in detention,
fine -- let them propose more.
But no strings about "alternatives to detention".
And no strings about defunding ICE and deportation.
4
Well it's a good thing the Dems have the House Majority, just look at what they can do.
4
Susan Collins may have a word or two about the value of promises by the Trump administration.
1
McConnell: “It’s time to quit playing games,” he added. “Time to make law.”
Fine. Bring the other 150 bills the House has passed to the Senate floor. Do your job, Mr. Majority Leader.
6
In case anybody is confused about the border situation, I believe that the moment the photo of the dead father and his daughter appeared, Trump and Stephen Miller and Jeff Sessions and their supporters ordered champagne and canapes to celebrate.
Republicans don't want concentration camps, or interment camps, or detention camps at the border. As the rancid, rabid thread comments of anti-immigration zealots imply, they want death camps.
Trump and Stephen Miller and Jeff Sessions, and their rabid supporters, will only be happy when every brown-skinned refugee trying to enter the United States, is shot to death. That is their secret wish, that is their true goal, that is their Nirvana.
5
She chose not to let McConnell kill his hostages ... that's not a defeat, it's a tactical repositioning. She's a LONG ways from being defeated ... her war hasn't even started yet.
2
So this is just a bill to funnel money to private prison companies with no stipulations that they actually improve the conditions that needed to be addressed by this bill?
Or as moderates call it "getting things done".
Nice work from a collection of spineless Democrats.
"Her retreat came after Vice President Mike Pence gave Ms. Pelosi private assurances that the administration would voluntarily abide by some of the restrictions and rules that she had sought.."
Sure, why would Mike Pence ever lie about something. Totally trustworthy.
You know what's better than personal guarantees? ENFORCEABLE FEDERAL LEGISLATION!!
Stop handing out billions of our taxpayer dollars to corporate interests. They're party to this catastrophe and all you've done is reward them with billions of unaccountable dollars.
Spineless cowards. You think you would've learned after handing out trillions to defense contractors in Iraq, and trillions to corporate criminals on Wall Street but no, no learning.
Don't ever stand before the American public again and claim that we don't have the money to give our citizens healthcare, and a good education, and a good paying job, and basic security in their lives. Don't ever try to tell us that what the public demands is "too expensive". You just pulled $4.5 billion out of your corrupt behinds with no strings attached to fund a despicable border policy so spare us the theater and the excuses.
3
Shame on Tom Cole who is an MD! When is it ever ok for children to have no darkness at night enabling good sleep or to have freezing temperature w/o blankets?
Some of these GOPers are really evil! I Cole has taken the Hippocratic oath to serve ill people.
I just pray that they will reap from their sowing and suffer enormously.
3
Insisting that children must be caged is where the moderates have drawn the red line? The party of white supremacy is now dragging the moderates of the liberal party into their end of the spectrum, and yet the press will continue to refer to them as "moderate" and "centrist."
3
Democrats; all of you, get your you know what together. The nation is under siege from Republicans and you are totally manipulated by them. Trump is driving this bus.
Be sure there are no hidden underpinnings enabling more power or walls etc.
2
This is another example of rank cowardice by the Democratic Party (and less than 12 hours after they blew a lot of smoke on immigration during the candidates debate).
It is another step down the road to Fascism and racist Trumpism.
I am sickened by it all. Disgraceful. Shameful. Atrocious. I lack the words.
4
Nancy Pelosi is too weak to lead the weak Democrats.
We need Democratic leadership that will fight for what's right. Is that really too much to ask? The Republicans are certainly willing to fight for what is evil.
4
House and Senate conferees could have hammered out some basic standards. But the addition of the ICE cuts killed any initiative for that.
The asylum rules need to be changed to a quota system, just like other forms of immigration.
Any Democratic candidate that proposes removing all penalties for illegal entry will get mannered by Pro Trump TV ads.
The moderate Democrats are right to be concerned.
4
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez as a lot left to learn. This is not an abdication of power: one house of the legislature cannot dictate what the law will be and can only exercise power in collaboration with the other house and the executive.
I would have favored the Democratic bill, but politics is all about compromise. If the Democrats don't learn that they will end up like the Republicans: endless meaningless votes and never legislating anything,
4
AOC missed a golden opportunity to really elevate herself with compromising but her grasp for political power are her True Colors....
3
I think its time we all buy Pelosi a MAGA hat to show our support of her leadership. She has helped Trump more than Mitch has.
4
This article seems biased towards the Dem progressive point of view by highlighting such comments as “When did the Problem Solvers caucus become the Child Abuse Caucus” while using hearsay evidence presenting the Dem moderates as only interested in not hurting their reelection chances back home. I would have liked to have seen some direct quotes from some of the moderates themselves explaining their position more fully. As many others have said, the fact that the bill passed so overwhelmingly in the Senate seems to indicate that it was a good bill that would help the problems at the border. Not perfect, but at least let’s do the good we can do now, and we can come back to perfecting it later.
7
Reading some comments that speculate on how we should Follow the Money, I am afraid we are in the hands of corrupt players. (Really?) Imagine the wealth just released to private contractors who can charge hundreds of dollars per night per inmate! And little assurances in law to protect the children!
Is it possible we, Democrats and other human beings, were being set up to push for the House Bill, with its safeguards? The Grim Reaper had a plan. With the holiday recess looming something had to give, unless Congress was willing to postpone their holiday. Sorry, kids. Time for beer and fireworks.
Joel Rose, a reporter for NPR, visited the Clint, Texas facility a day or two ago when many children were returned to it after public outcry. There was barely time to sanitize the area, if at all. His report indicated the conditions were fairly clean. Isn’t this what the Germans did during WWII when they showed visitors from outside their model villages? Consider the reverse: Were visitors to Clint a few days ago shown a mock-up room where children in awful conditions might have been housed “temporarily”? Couldn’t be, could it?
On what date was the Senate Bill ready to go? When did the public see the first images coming out from Clint? When did the head of the Senate Wax Museum come to life?
It’s nearly impossible to see the reality that lies at the bottom of this murky swamp, but we have to try.
The democratic left is at risk of becoming like the Tea Party - if they’re not already there.
This isn’t to say that the policy goals aren’t noble; yet, I fear the blind opposition to anything which isn’t a Progressive idea is going to diverge the democratic to distinction.
Take this from someone whose parents emigrated here in 2001: we can’t have loose enforcement of immigration laws. Democrats must become the party of fairness in the sense that not all people who seek asylum are doing so lawfully while also having open arms to those who do. We must treat refugees with care while also not sacrificing political capital to get other policies done.
3
How much longer will this myth about Pelosi's legislative acumen persist. And this is the Republican Party that Biden is so eager to work with?
The Democratic Party needs new blood - badly.
1
Still a win for the Speaker ,as a leader .President Trump was even ready to accept her bill ,yet ,the senate never would. Speaker Pelosi seems to be the only one to realize the Nation is at most peril without something ,a half and half something is better than nothing. and this is not the end we have a long road on this immigration thing.
2
Keep making excuses for her and the Dems.
1
Okay, this spending bill didn't include protections for these migrant children. Time for the House to write up legislation specifically aimed at protecting them. And the Democrats in the House should talk about it nonstop until McConnell relents and takes it up for passage in the Senate. The messaging should make it absolutely clear that this new bill is to protect children. If McConnell or Trump goes against that, they would look like the monsters that they actually are.
Pelosi had no choice, but the "moderates" who were more concerned about their job security than the safety and well being of interned children already snatched from their parents? They did have a choice, and ever lasting shame on them all.
Somebody needs to explain to AOC and her crew that democracy is not a zero-sum game. It’s about compromise. This is a sensitive topic and something needed to be done. Pelosi has demonstrated a lot of patience and courage.
5
Sure glad we won back the House. Perhaps I'll see the benefit of that in the next 17 months?
1
There was a mentioned deal before Pelosi became Speaker, that her tenure only be 2 years. The Democratic Congress members who thought that was a good plan must be kicking themselves tonight.
Nancy Pelosi once again showed grace and compassion and that all too rare political quality called comprise. We’ve had our fill of pig-headed stubbornness and bullying. Alleviating human suffering takes such compassionate compromise. This is an example successful leadership not political defeat and failure.
3
I'm waiting for Trump to break his promise to his own party and veto the bill.
In a country in which right wing members of society don’t care if their fellow citizens can afford health care or not why would anyone expect that they care if immigrant children are being protected or not? Republicans simply don’t care, as long as they can keep paying low taxes, driving their gas guzzling SUV’s, shooting their guns and hoping for their coal mining jobs to come back the world is just fine to them.
1
A prediction:
This may just might be Speaker Pelosi last stand because the moderate Democrats in the Senate just fractured the Democratic Party much more effectively than any Gerrymandering attempts. The fringe left wing rookies like AOC will pressure Speaker Pelosi not to bend, which will accelerate the erosion faster than Climate Change is melting the polar caps. And the timing could not have been much better being smack right in the middle of the Democratic Party Debacle!!!
Four more years is looking much more....,
2
Trump, McConnell, Scalise and others have not hesitated to separate families and hold the welfare of children hostage. It's a bad idea to let them know the technique isn't just fun, it's effective.
2
There will no money spent for children's aid.
The money will go to Donald's buddies for The Wall.
Maybe we should have the migrants build the wall for $25 per hour and a a chance for Citizenship if they don’t have a criminal record?
1
Pelosi sold out. Time for her to relinquish her position. Let the young and courageous fight the good fight.
3
Crowing and barking? What is wrong with “said?”
6
Pence gave Pelosi his word? Tell me another one.
24
Don’t care for your characterization of Pelosi losing in this legislative maneuver.
10
To Senator Schumer: You have failed the migrants and their children by no securing a guarantee of their safety. You talk a good game but you don’t have the stomach for the fight. The next Senator from NY AOC!
9
you better hope that doesn't happen. the game of politics can't be played by neophytes and inexperienced social media nuts. migrants are actually way down the list of problems that need solving in the U.S.
3
Just a few days after declining to report AT ALL the rape accusations against the President of the United States by a respected author, NYT could have reported this bit of news "neutrally," like they report most outrageous actions committed by Trump. But if they do that then Trump might NOT get re-elected. And they can't risk that. So they have to do present this with a sensational headline (see Washington Post's coverage of this) about "striking defeat" to make it as much like "her emails" as possible.
9
I hope this, at least, brings people to the realization that with the Senate in republicans hands, the attacks on the most vulnerable; the refugees, Sick Americans and anyone/anything else in the world will continue.
America is a police state now
15
"...Pence gave...private assurances that the administration would voluntarily abide by some of the restrictions and rules that she had sought"...yeah, RIGHT. I'd never trust the word of any Republican at this point.
90 DAYS for a separated child? Are you kidding?
We have become unfathomable and evil.
15
Yes, three months is a long time in the life of an infant or a toddler. Cruel beyond belief.
3
Let's be brutally honest folks, the children will get very little of this money. There were no further mark-ups in the House because politicians in the Senate and the House wanted to go home for the holiday. I'll bet there are loop-holes in the Senate bill that allow that money to get diverted to Trump's wall of shame.
10
Maybe she took a walk downtown and observed the AMERICAN children living in homeless shelters.
14
@Cloudy Doesn't Senator McConnell walk downtown, too? Please do tell what bills he has introduced to help the AMERICAN homeless children lately?
Remember, this is the same Senator McConnell who plays politics with the 9/11 first responders' medical fund. Because he can. What makes you think he has a decent bone in his body, or respects anyone who can't drop a couple of thousand $$$ into his campaign fund and/or PAC in exchange for a handshake, a photo and a rubber chicken dinner?
Contempt for poor immigrants and contempt for poor Americans are just two sides of the GOP's pro-plutocrat coin. Don't kid yourself that they aren't.
As George Bush, Sr. once said, "we are in deep doo-doo". Trump and McConnell don't agree on much but they are both sadists who gloat at the misfortune of other mortals lesser than themselves by no fault of their own. No empathy, no shame, no morals, just blood sport. Pretty sick puppies that perfectly illustrate our utterly broken democracy. Sad.
7
Pence's private assurances are worthless.
16
I wish that the NYT would stop portraying the political process in martial terms like "defeat." Especially in the headlines. It is a misrepresentation of what actually happens in politics. This was a complicated process, and the outcome is complicated but overall a democratic success. There is now much more work to be done, but this is certainly a step forward.
13
Hey moderates—yeah, you(!)
Go for it! I’m almost proud if you. (Not.)
Why not legalize the death penalty for black and Hispanic fourteen-year olds convicted of joy-riding, police-supervised torture for black and Hispanic people suspected of having aided and abetted a crime, social isolation and sensory deprivation for foreign nationals who enter our country at undesignated border control stations and apply for political asylum?
Like I say, why not?
After all, this is America, and in America everything is compromise, of sorts, between one ideal and another—that is, somewhere between polar extremes.
So what if one of the extremes is inhumane? That’s just a pesky detail, if that. One man’s “inhumane” is another man’s “nurturing.”
It’s all about making a deal, regardless of the nature of the positions being advanced, however cynically, as part of the “art of the deal.”
Truly, we’ve sunk so low as a country we don’t know which is up. It’s both appalling and shameful.
The Democratic Party has no business running against Trump. Who cares? What’s the difference?
5
The kids need help now. Right decision.
If you are mad. Get mad at the people living in these states sending two conservative senators. So many people don’t vote.
As long as you have a Senate that is far right, you can’t get your agenda done. Devastated the Obama years because of the people have him a Conservative Senate.
6
"Powerful progressive"? really? why progressive so powerful? and for nothing?
The Democrats can’t let the Republicans define them! Already, ads from the Republican committee are calling them Socialists! Calling the Democrats the Party of open borders! Educated people know that’s nonsense! But, you can be sure they will repeat it, to a good part of the electorate that is weary of educated people!
5
It would have only been a "striking defeat" if Schumer had been able to corral his troops and kept them from peeling off like over ripe grapes. Come on, NY Times, save the NY Post like headlines for real defeats, not for having to compromise because Schumer and his team can't whip in their forces.
9
It is not a defeat it was actually the right thing to do
8
Billions of dollars for the Republicans to spend as they wish with no oversight, and not a bar of soap or a toothbrush mandated for the children.
And Border Patrol still “vulnerable to corruption that threatens its effectiveness and national security.”
https://www.propublica.org/article/border-patrol-discipline-system-was-denounced-as-broken-still-not-fixed
5
@angel98
I so agree. No mention of oversight of the billions already given to no bid appointees of the administration to friends and fellow thieves. And, of course, donors. And now more bucks for them to manipulate into their pockets and away from caring for these sad and miserable humans.
I despair.
2
Finally. The Democrats did something to help the kids. The only real solution is to close the border and build the wall.
6
Everything is defined as "Win" or "Loss." Sad....
7
Trump keeps bringing a flamethrower.
Pelosi keeps bringing knives.
Advantage: Trump.
Why do the Democrats so enjoy getting their
heads handed to them? Trump understands
something that Pelosi does not, at all, and
she just demonstrated it, again:
Nice guys finish last.
5
Pelosi should have volunteered to oversee The implementation of the Senate plan, because she didn't trust the White House. She was stuck in a hard place, the kids need immediate relief from Trump's torturous draconian treatment. It's too bad the House of Congress couldn't unilaterally go ahead with it's bill that would have prevented Trump from misusing the funds.
4
One has to be resigned to losing the battle but winning the war. I just hope a good amount of the funds is used humanely to clean up the camps and provide adequately and safely for the children. Of course, this being Trump and the Republicans, it will entirely end up funneled to the deep pockets of special interests that fuel the Republican hate campaign.
4
Pictures speak louder than words. The incredibly sad and disturbing photo of a young father and his daughter drowned in the Rio Grande put many over the edge. Now if only we could see the gruesome images from mass shootings across our country.
6
As usual. Conservative and moderate Republicans ultimately stick together to ram things through for their party, especially now that few Republicans with guts like John McCain no longer inhabit the GOP. Liberal and moderate Democrats stab each other in the back; usually moderates doing the stabbing, caving like cravens.
Too often, Republican majorities are powerful, and Democratic ones are weak, precisely because of this dynamic. It's why an increasingly liberal America is still governed by Republicans. The Democratic base is splintered; the GOP is ruled by the Trump base, now aka the Republican base, and its legislators are willing to accept things that are personally unpalatable in order to toe the line while Dem legislators sacrifice unity for personal safety or pet policies.
House of Reps Democratic circular firing squad, and they just got into power. Sigh. let's see how long the Presidential candidates avoid that mess.
3
I am weary of the relentless praise of the political acumen of Ms. Pelosi. She is Liberace when America desperately needs Rubinstein.
The compelling moral imperative of the moment is to begin a formal impeachment investigation into Donald Trump and his Collaborators. That is the only music that America needs right now.
3
You can't fight for the children or anyone else if the Senate is controlled by Republicans. Put all your effort into gaining control of the Senate rather than pointless posturing. It just gives Republicans ammunition to use against Democrats next year.
8
Stay tuned for the sequel to this episode where we learn the lesson that Republicans can't be trusted, ever, to act in a humanitarian way. The money will be abused and the atrocities will continue.
4
Pelosi had no choice. She knew she’d have to pass the senate’s bill to get any possible relief at the border. She put just enough of a fight and got her “promises” that the money will go to the right places. We know it won’t. And then there will be a scandal. The GOP will look worse for it.
9
@Martini
Well said. Sometimes you lose a hand. And you are right, Trump either cleans up the situation, or there is another scandal. I don’t think too many people would bet their 401k on the former.
2
PELOSI THE PLUTOCRAT OF LEFTIST POLITICS takes a drubbing on an issue that was tailor made for Democrats. After the tragic image of death on the Rio Grande, she STILL couldn't get her caucus to stick together. IMHO, this is NOT merely a victory for Mitch and Senate Republicans; this is a serious fissure in the House Democratic juggernaut - Blue Dog Dems and Dems from Republican districts are looking at the lurch to the Left and saying, NO! Otherwise, they'll lose in Nov. 2020 and the House might just go to the GOP.
5
The VP promised to abide by some of the House specifications? So why not put them in the bill? Obviously, because this is about winning, not governing. Sad and hateful behavior when there is a humanitarian crisis. But ask the 911 first responders. They could have predicted this. Pelosi seems to be a human. Is there a Republican that can be viewed in the same light?
6
@Pinewood
Because no matter how reasonable the House Bill, the president will veto it.
1
Comment about reasonable Americans wanting this bill passed without assurances that this criminal behavior does not continue, is absurd. Reason left the moment we placed a two year old in court to face a judge on his asylum case. There will be consequences for all of us but for those directly branding is all as a pack of animals protecting our territory there will be a day in court for them.
3
Democrats in disarray. What's new? Come Nov.2020 the Democrats will lose by themselves. They should have taken a page from Republican success book by now.
2
The only acceptable extreme views in this country that are acceptable are those of the right wing Republicans. Anytime a Liberal Democrat attempts to humanize this country, to bring out its compassionate soul, they are branded as extremist. The only thing evident in this bill is politics as usual. The plight of these children is secondary to electability. And you wonder why the Democrats are losing state after state to hard core Republicans who are destroying women's rights, vilifying immigrants and minorities and who are lining the pockets of the rich. Ballistic? Yes. There are children dying and being treated like animals. This is a bill to enrich the cold hearted animals that are running the country!
3
Politics is the art of the possible. Sometimes this is just the best one can do. Getting help to the children is the first priority. The trick will be in holding Trump to his word.
5
The actions of the fearful Democratic senators in caving to McConnell and Trump on what could have been a bipartisan bill showing how much the humane care of children and their asylum-seeking parents in custody is valued by all in the Congressional branch of the US government, is indeed a loss. But not for Speaker Pelosi. It is a loss for those Democratic senators who fell for McConnell's bluff and gave into their fear of Trump.
The so-called moderate Democratic senators who wrapped themselves in the covering of "working with Republicans" have reason to be ashamed of their votes. Cave on treaties, give in on esoteric tax provisions, but stand firmly for the humane treatment of children in the custody of the US government. If a senator can't explain their vote to support that value when election time comes, they have no business running as a Democratic candidate.
This vote is one reason I no longer give money to any Democratic Leadership group. I give only to specific candidates whose voting record or positions I have examined.
2
The Senate is McConnell's creation, they wouldn't even present let alone vote on the House bill. The progressive Democrats in the House had valid points, especially on what these appropriations could be spent and when.
However, given the upcoming recess the fact that remains is that these centers need funding because of the children's needs.
Pelosi didn't win politically, but she sure occupies the moral high ground...which Trump and his administration, McConnell's Senate and the Republicans in House certainly do not.
3
This was not a defeat for Pelosi, this was a victory for humanity.
I am glad to see that at least there are grownups in Congress.
6
The reality is that most democrats want to get our borders and immigration under control. Its a bipartisan issue. The Democrats better step up to the plate or they'll be answering to their angry constituents .
4
Under the circumstances, I believe Speaker Pelosi did the right thing. Urgently needed help is on the way to the children.
Losing this particular battle doesn't mean losing the war. It just means there will be more discussions, more negotiations, more legislating, and more press coverage to come.
The eyes of the nation will remain fixed on this shameful situation, and people of good conscience will demand implemented reform.
2
HHS was out of money and Congress was out of time. If the measure didn't pass, facilities housing tens of thousands of children would be cut off from resources and private contractors, all but one nonprofit, would be asked to come out of pocket to keep their charges alive. Pelosi should have taken up the bill way before this.
That said, why are we separating refugee children from their refugee guardians in the first place?
1
"The moderate Democrats balked at a funding reduction for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, leaving the House floor in chaos and emotions running high."
So, Ms. Pelosi doesn't want law enforcement, she just wants to provide comfortable surroundings for law breakers. Does she have any idea how that plays outside of Loonyville?
3
"and reduced some funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other agencies. "
Typical game plan. Take away resources to enforce the law, increase resources to those who are in violation of the law.
3
It is not a setback for Pelosi.
The health and safety of the women and children took precedence.
The terms are not just political; the course that was taken mattered on a human scale.
2
Why wouldn’t republicans in the senate want to include protections for the children?
Because they want to look like they care about the conditions, but they haven’t and they don’t. To openly state more humanitarian requirements would require admitting they’ve been traumatizing children.
So, the DHS and ICE get more money with no guarantee that it will benefit the children. Shame on moderate democrats for putting their political careers ahead of the protection of children.
1
In the end, it wouldn't matter either way. This administration ignores law and does what it wants anyway. So putting in provisions to make the administration behave humanely would be ignored.
3
Hum! We've heard this kind of promise from Republicans before. It never materialized.
Mike Pence gave Ms. Pelosi private assurances that the administration would voluntarily abide by some of the restrictions and rules that she had sought, including notifying lawmakers within 24 hours after the death of a migrant child in government custody, and placing a 90-day time limit on children spending time in temporary intake facilities, according to a person familiar with the discussions."
1
A political loss is minuscule compared to the need to provide humanitarian care for children who have already been traumatized. Ask yourself: how bad would things have to be before you pick up your child and make a run for what you think will be safety?
2
I liked the Progressives' bill, but as the Problem Solvers said, it was time to make law. Let the Progressives win enough Senate seats from places like North Dakota, Idaho, and Wyoming that they can form a Progressive causus in the Senate and we will see what they can do. Right now we cannot pretend that the rest of the country is of the same mind and holds the same passions as the voters in NYC and Seattle.
7
The Problem Solvers Caucus lived up to its name. Solve the problem. Don't get distracted by other priorities, however important. Start by getting one job done. If the other priorities are important, move on to them next. If they have enough support, they will get passed as well; if they don't, then they shouldn't hold up progress.
4
No doubt about it:
Trump/Pence MUST GO
Mitch McConnell MUST GO
Treating immigrants worse than slaves is unAmerican and unacceptable to moral people of any religion or no religion at all. Holding children hostage away from their parents or guardian is inhumane. I am so ashamed to be an American.
36
I am, too. To think my hard-earned dollars are supporting human rights abuses. November 2020 it must s-t-o-p.
4
@me it's profitable both economically and politically. Also, you should read some history. "The End of the Myth" by Greg Grandin would be a good start.
@me Funny, I was under the impression that they could leave to the other side of the border any time that they wanted to. Slaves don't have a choice in the matter and were forced to work and live in much worse conditions, with no guarantee of healthcare or food or proper shelter. This ranks up there with AOC's "Never Again" comment in sheer hyperbole.
6
I predict that Trump will sign this on July 4th, during his campaign speech on the mall. Festivities will include jets flying over, soldiers marching and tanks doing what they do. Front row seats for the 5 Conservative Supremes, and maybe even a few civilian medals for his sycophants, plus his usual attacks on Democrats(some who deserve it).
6
Pelosi folded faster than a cheap suit. Why does anyone consider her a leader?
14
Her grip on her causus is rapidly weakening. Look for an upstart (AOC?) to propose a vote of no confidence. Should prove illuminating!
2
The disunity falls squarely on Nancy P's shut out of starting impeachment inquiries.The caucus' have had enough. She is whistling past the graveyard and is showing signs of losing her gavel. History is riding on a big horse right past her. Maybe someone else can take the reigns and do the job she should be doing
10
@Armo I hardly think the Blue Dogs were mad at her for not impeaching Trump, but I am.
2
Monday: the New York Times laments the political gridlock and polarization of Washington.
Tuesday: Democrats approve a bill that they did not write.
Wednesday: The New York Times describes any compromise as a "striking defeat" for the Democrats.
Thursday: The President crows about the "weak" Democrats--in the pages of the New York Times.
What's wrong with this picture?
39
@Norman, thank you. I concur. NYT, Either you value bipartisanship or you don't.
1
Good.
Finally, a reasonable action by Congress on immigration.
Not a complete solution to all the problems of immigration.
Not even a complete solution on the recent "migrant" surge.
But at least a good step.
24
@sam finn: So not holding this administration accountable for their actions against babies and children is ok? No one ever wants to hold this man accountable. Why is that?
Trump and McConnell are the two biggest terrorists in the entire world.
And no one will stand up to them? Give them money, yes, but also hold them accountable! Prisoners of war are treated better than these tiny children. We give $775 a day to John Kelly's company - and it was his idea to separate children from their families and that is still happening and now he's making money off of them - and they can't be given soap and toothpaste? They can't have clean diapers? They have to share comb to get the lice out of their hair?
What are we? Who are we? We are a very mean people, getting meaner every day.
All Pelosi wanted was accountability.
3
Start Impeachment *Hearings* Now... time's a wastin'! Keep the House in Session over the summer. Use the power the House has to subpoena testimony and evidence - if people and organizations don't comply, jail the relevant obstructionists and fine them by the day. Play hardball.
15
@Ms. Rational ... Impeach who? Pelosi?
2
@Ms. Rational You don't appear to be very rational, Ms. Rational.
2
To paraphrase George Steinbrenner, Nancy Pelosi has fooled us long enough.
6
Hmmm, not good, Nancy. You'd better be appreciating that your base hates Donald just as much as (hopefully more than) Donald's base hates you, just sayin.
7
I am as liberal as they get! I have a service dog, I shop at Whole Foods and even though I am a straight white male, I will admit to having a gay thought twice a month. I think that makes me a progressive liberal!
However, when it comes to the border, I'll agree with Trump.
These "immigrants" are exploiting our broken immigration system with false asylum claims. 99% of them already have a relative living here they are just making a mad dash before Trump seals the border for good.
There are estimates of +15 million "undocumented immigrant workers" residing illegally in the U.S. ... How many more millions do we need?
They are a drain on our social services - they exploit our free public education system. +65% of LA Unified students [or parents] are undocumented. LA Unified budget is a whooping $26 billion annually and still none of them can read nor do they attend school regularly. The highest truancy rate in the country costs the district $40 million in lost state and federal revenues every year.
And you liberals want more of them?
Give me a break!
Liberals scream "Let them in!" but whisper "As long as they don't live by me.." And that's the truth .. because that's exactly what I do..
51
@Aaron: shopping at Whole Foods and having occasional gay thoughts does not make you a liberal. Caring about the appalling conditions that our government is keeping children in is. Having respect and showing compassion for those who mow your lawn, wash your dirty dishes and pack the food at your beloved Whole Food is. If you can’t feel empathy for those who are being mistreated just because they came here for a better life (like your ancestors did) then stop calling yourself a liberal, and start using the correct label for yourself: a reactionary conservative.
4
Not sure that your service dog, sex fantasies or shopping habits have much to do with being “liberal.” What about compassion, a sense of justice, respect for human rights, respect for the rule of law (...and yes that is a liberal value, and U.S. asylum law is being violated grossly by these detentions); a sense of responsibility for the disorder, violence and corruption that U.S. business and military interventions have helped cultivate in Central American culture for over 100 years? Justifying institutionalized cruelty doesn’t sound to me like liberal-mindedness.
4
What a surprise! The limp-wristed, weak-minded Pelosi is again caving to the republicans' wishes. No impeachment, no assurances of care for wrongly incarcerated babies. She's too old to be so naive as to believe a verbal promise from Pence. But what's particularly infuriating to me about the Speaker is her velvet tone and hint of a smile. She might as well just go ahead and switch parties. It would be more honest than repeatedly betraying the democratic party.
13
@jaded - She does seem to wear red quite often.
"Her retreat came after Vice President Mike Pence gave Ms. Pelosi private assurances that the administration would voluntarily abide by some of the restrictions and rules that she had sought, including notifying lawmakers within 24 hours after the death of a migrant child in government custody, and placing a 90-day time limit on children spending time in temporary intake facilities, according to a person familiar with the discussions."
I.e. Pence plans never to tell her when kids die and will hold them until the news finds out about it. If it isn't in the law, he won't obey it. He already doesn't obey it when it is in the law.
14
The Senate bill passed with a near unanimous vote. It was clearly bipartisan. The Democrat left wing fringe is just that. They do not represent the views of reasonable Americans.
203
@Daphne I wouldn't consider holding kids in detention separated from their parents as reasonable. They are experiencing trauma that will effect their mental and physical health for years to come. There is a clear right and wrong here
56
@Daphne. The reason the Senate bill passed is that Speaker Pelosi and enough Democrats knew that the Republicans would gladly continue to mistreat these children if they could blame Democrats for the mistreatment.
37
@Daphne The following link explains what the House Bill contains that the Senate Bill does not. The House Bill requires a standard of care for migrant children including food and water and basic medical care. I don't think these basic provisions are fringe ideas.
https://www.npr.org/2019/06/26/736337435/senate-passes-4-6-billion-emergency-border-funding-bill-signalling-battle-with-h
30
How about "House Agrees to compromise and passes border bill." Or better yet, "Congress Gets Something Done. Dems, GOP agree on something!"
I thought news stories were supposed to be non-partisan. Calling this a defeat introduces partisanship as a value.
75
@Charles Trentelman How about "Pelosi Caves Again" or "Democrats Opt for Carefree Vacations While Children Suffer" or better yet "Pelosi Bent on Losing Speakership Again."
5
@Charles Trentelman Absolutely right! .These newcomers because they won their election think the world is theirs. They think the country is just like their districts. WAKE UP, it is not that easy.
7
Write or call your Representative and tell them you want them to vote "No!" on the Speaker's cave-in to McConnnell, especially if they are inclined to always go with the Speaker. But a vast wave of constituents, especially from their own party, and they have to listen.
They are "Representatives", not CEOs, not independent actors. They are sent to represent you and me. So tell them how you want them to represent you.
10
@Dadof2
Speak for yourself. Try to understand that your views should not be imposed on others.
11
@Dadof2 - And what good would that do? My representatives will do what ever their donors tell them to do. Here in Washington, we overwhelmingly voted for Bernie in the last caucus yet every single superdelegate in this state, including Jay Inslee, ignored us and went for Hillary.
2
@Dadof2 The Democrats will listen, the Republicans, who currently run the Senate, won't.
1
Far as I can tell, this is the only problem that the Problem-Solvers caucus ever solved. It's a shame it had to be done at the expense of the children. Pelosi now has assurances from Pence, Trump's human heat-shield providing protection from the so-called Christian-right? Maybe these folks ought to look after some children and some families, the least of us, the way Jesus might have advised.
10
@Jon Garamamoo
"Far as I can tell, this is the only problem that the Problem-Solvers caucus ever solved. It's a shame it had to be done at the expense of the children."
How is this solution coming at the "expense of the children"?
1
@Jon Garamamoo: What if Jesus is among those children? What if he is a toddler with dirty diapers and very hungry with no sleep because the lights are on 24 hours a day?
He is there. We miss Him at our peril.
1
Almost everyone in the Senate--Democrats and Republicans--passed the Senate bill. The House bill failed to pass there when they did a test vote.
The only bill that has a chance of being signed before Congress leaves for the July 4 break is the Senate's.
This was the right thing to do.
17
The point is to get funding ASAP.
It only points to how important it is the McConnell goes when the president goes.
We must take back the Senate and the WH..then we can correct the awfulness of this bill and the whole last two + years.
FOCUS on that!
16
@Sandra
I sure hope so. I'm getting a bad feeling about the lengths the "R's" and their violent base will go to to retain power.
5
@Sandra Keep wishing, it ain't gonna happen. Senate will remain GOP, and Trump will be re-elected.
4
If the roles were reversed and the Democrats were controlling the White House and the Senate, a Republican-led House would just have let the bill die.
Democrats are divided, they cannot win. We will see a repeat of 2016 next year.
12
@Kara Ben Nemsi
Thank you. While you’re consulting your Magic 8 Ball, could you also please tell me what I’ll have for dinner?
6
Capitulation? I argue strategy.
Not a particular fan but she did what she could and is smart enough to know when to throw in the towel.
In general, Representatives in the House are followers and vote as the wind blows. In twenty months, if there is anything left of our nation, a Democrat will take the helm, change course and right our ship of state.
She will be in the pilot house and next to the Captain.
All this said the fact is our lawmakers are dealing with children who have little if any comprehension why the nation they left is considered worse than the nation to which they were brought.
We know that prison is punishment for adults. What is the difference between prison and a "detention center" for kids? There doesn't appear to my fully grown mind there is much, if any.
We as a people purport to be a god fearing nation to the extent we note on our coinage "In God We Trust".
More like an angry old man.
15
@Ian MacFarlane
"What is the difference between prison and a "detention center" for kids? "
The parents -- together with the kids --
can leave the immigration detention centers any time the want --
straight back to the other side of the border.
The USA government will not stop them.
3
Sorry we don't all subscribe to the myth of a God so please don't speak for atheists.
The House version included a clause that the Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services [HHS] could share information about the sponsors of Unaccompanied Alien children [UAC].
The D's tried to have it so two Federal departments could not share information in their own government regarding if and how children are placed with human traffickers or other predators. What a ghastly and sick party the Democrats have become. The shame of our nation.
7
@Hank
First, you say that the House version (ruled by a Democrat majority) included a clause that DHS and HHS COULD share information about the sponsors of unaccompanied alien children.
Then, you contradict this by claiming that the Democrats tried to BLOCK such inter-department communication.
This doesn't make sense.
1
@Hank
I think I share your opinion.
However, in your first paragraph,
-- which talks about the "House version"
(as opposed to the Senate version.
which did pass both House and Senate) --
I think the word "not" is missing
(probably between "could" and "share").
1
@Hank Would love for you to cite your source so we can all be enlightened?
2
Why don’t the Democrats just hire Republicans to run their show? The Dems are beyond incompetent. I wasted my vote.
8
Good one Nancy.
Why don't you just quit.
Just another congressional clown.
You people do nothing but go on recess and cry about needing a pay raise.
Pathetic.
You're a sellout to Mitch McConnell and to a major joke, Donald Trump.
You do know those kids won't see any of the money. It's going into Trump's pocket.
You make me sick to my stomach. Trump owns you.
12
Seems like Pelosi has even less "spine" than Obama... you're either true to your convictions, or you're a piece of flotsam...floating which ever way the wave decides...
She should have blocked the Bill and stuck to her guns...none of that money will end up helping any kids, at all...
9
@Ron
Trump will probably seize it for his wall or the next agency head will pocket it like that Sanders guy did
4
Can we stop talking about every legislative tussle as either a victory or defeat? Aren’t we all agreed that the money going to the border to clean up those detention facilities is a good thing? If after a time it is found that the money was misspent, then we correct it.
19
The Dems can’t even do the bare minimum here. What would you want this reporting to say?
4
@Max
You could interpret this as win-win. Moderates in red or purple districts get to say to their constituents that they didn’t vote for less money for ICE, and Pence privately assured Pelosi that the administration will voluntarily abide by the provisions House liberals wanted. I’d understand if you were skeptical of anything this administration promises, but how would it be any different if liberals got their version of the bill and the administration ignored it anyway? Maybe it was because Pence made his assurances privately that they have credibility with me.
@AlNewman - "Aren’t we all agreed that the money going to the border to clean up those detention facilities is a good thing?"
Actually, I'm pretty outraged. Get out your calculators everyone and divide $4.6 billion by 100,000 people and you get $46,00 per person. I seriously doubt that there are 100,000 children in detention centers and I do believe that $46,000 will buy quite a bit of stock in Ivory soap.
With $4.6 billion, I could put 200,000 homeless Americans into a $2,000 a month apartment for a year.
Is my math wrong? Or are our politicians once again robbing us?
1
Is Speaker Pelosi trying to drive down enthusiasm before the election?
Blame the moderates or blame the progressives, but in all cases this is a failure of the Democratic caucus and the Speaker’s leadership.
10
@Bruce Eh, bosh... Have some faith, people - Speaker Pelosi knows what she's doing - and she is our best hope right now...
7
@Azzard Starks - Speaker Pelosi is clueless and should spend less time choosing wine and chocolate for Trudeau and get something done. She is putting HER party above country. The only reason she has not started impeachment is because it might affect HER party in the next election. That is putting party over country and I will not support that. She needs to get the boot and go back to her wine cellar and clutch her pearls.
@Azzard Starks Our best hope is that the more centrist elements of the Democratic Party will balance out this race to the far left of the spectrum.
Our best hope is that Democrats will start acting like they actually give a damn about struggling middle class Americans.
2
She is PLAYING this as a defeat.
If it weren't for her and he Dems, the Senate bill would have had $1 for toothbrushes and $1,000,000,000 for a new wall.
Let Trump bounce around like a big macho man, gloating about a "victory".
The newest members of the House need to realize that this is a long process, and we need to pick and choose the battlegrounds.
15
@jhanzel
"a Justice Department lawyer argued in court that Customs and Border Protection may not be required to provide soap and toothbrushes for children in custody. "
“There are no standards that will force them to comply and be accountable to a basic level of humanitarian treatment and humanitarian needs.”
1
This is the best compromise that can be hoped for right now. What some of the younger, junior members of the House need to understand is that you have to sometimes take the best you can get - especially when your power is so limited. There was never any guarantee that Trump was going to sign anything the House came up with, even if the Senate cooperated with the Democrats. There is no guarantee that this bill will not be vetoed, despite assurances from Pence about Trump honoring some of the things the Democrats have been pushing for. Nothing is ever assured with Trump for more than five minutes max.
This is should be about the children, and in this political tug-of-war they are starting to get lost in the shuffle. Whatever happens, I hope that enough pressure will be brought to bear by lawyers and the press so that children start to be treated humanely. What they have had to endure is unconscionable.
One more thing. I do not want to hear Republicans speak again about being the Party of "family values" nor being the "pro-life" Party. Your Party is neither. What has happened at the border is inexcusable and cruel, and is far removed from promoting "family values". Pro-life? Absolutely not!
21
@Diana
"This is should be about the children, and in this political tug-of-war they are starting to get lost in the shuffle."
Unfortunately, they're not being lost in the shuffle. They're being used as the rope.
2
What choice did Mrs. Pelosi have? If she stood her ground, children would pay the price with their lives. A bitter pill to swallow, but unlike the republicans, her thoughts are with the children first.
38
@Wayne - Her thoughts are with her party's next election and nothing else.
Problem Solvers Caucus and the Blue Dog Democrats ARE NOT moderates. They are not Centrists. The vast majority of Democratic voters support the approach of Progressive Caucus.
The Problem Solvers and Blue Dogs are conservatives. The are to the right of the majority of the party.
Ley's start referring to them correctly. The conservative wing of the Democratic Party.
10
@David Gagne They are centrist and moderate in reference to the political spectrum, not in reference to the majority of the democratic party. With the increasing polarity and extremism within our political system, being right of the democratic majority could still mean they are firmly on the left. Our country needs more lawmakers near the center that evaluate the issues and the proposed solutions rather than simply side with the party.
9
@David Gagne
I used to vote Democratic regularly.
Sometimes when I did not like the Democrat,
I sat it out or voted 3rd party --
-- but never GOP for President -- at least not so far.
But left-wing Dem views will never bring me back,
especially left-wing Dem views on immigration.
3
@David Gagne “The vast majority of Democratic voters support the approach of Progressive Caucus. ”
No, David, we don’t.
I'm glad that Speaker Pelosi put children first. I would love to see the administration restricted, but the immediate needs of migrant children come first.
25
@Sue
Why do we never hear Democrats talking about the immediate needs of the average hard-working American? You know, the people who will be expected to pay for all the social services and education these immigrants are going to want?
This critical gap in the Democrat’s worldview is going to guarantee 4 more years of our current nightmare.
3
The vile Mitch McConnell has no qualms using children as hostages to commit political blackmail.
55
Is anyone else as tired of Pelosi's antics as I am? Let's not forget her leadership when the Dems were crushed in 2010, 12, 14, and 16. And her refusal to move impeachment forward is just plain idiotic. The Dems, and the country, would get all the testimony and records needed to fully expose the corruption of Trump. I've written to her and asked her to get out of the way. No response, of course.
10
No, these are not antics. They are a shrewd understanding about how Trump’s base is salivating for impeachment investigations to start so they can put another quarter in the “Trump is being victimized” ride. Why hand that to them? Why energize them for Trump?
1
Pelosi is behaving like a GOP plant. With friends like these, who needs enemies!
6
Dems the breaks, oh well. it's what I always expect from my party and am only surprised when they are unison. Especially now with a wannabe dictator in office who only wants to play with his "bad hombres" friends while ruining our place among allies.
4
Wow. Nancy Pelosi folds.
Wow. Wow. Just wow.
7
I think Speaker Pelosi got the best deal possible; with party infighting, dealing with Mitch, listening to Trump, Pence, and Graham in the mix for "bad" measure, it's truly amazing that anything was accomplished.
Be assured Speaker Pelosi, even if you may have your doubts, we Democrats have your back and will push for the protections you and the American people want for these children. There are many strong voices in the party and this has definitely hit a nerve.
28
@bea durand
Thank you!
6
Just heard Ocasio-Cortez all over the place proving what a dim wit she is.
She is annoyed that the Dems just accepted the Republican Senate bill without demanding changes. But she had voted against the Democrats bill anyway and that had all the changes she was demanding plus more.
So what does she want. She wants a bill that is a Democratic bill that has what she wants in it ( whatever that is) which will definately not pass , in which case no relief at all will go to the border. With opponents like her, Trump doesn't need supporters.
37
@Sydney Kaye You just said it all, and y et she remains the darling of the media.
9
Obama was a great President, but terrible at playing long ball politics. Nancy Pelosi needs these newly elected members to be re-elected next year, knowing it will be a disaster for all if Republicans recapture full control of congress. Republicans in North Carolina gerrymandered their districts to ensure their domination, because they believe they only are right on issues, and the Supreme Court just gave them their stamp of approval. Democrats need to quit bringing knives to a gun fight.
21
This is why the Democrats lose, and why they are continually thought of as losers, even by people like me who consistently vote for them (mostly because the alternative is far worse).
In the end, when it's time to stand up for what is clearly right against the forces who would treat some people (even children) as less than human due to their ethnicity, the color of their skin, the language they speak, or their immigration status, they run scared and fold up their tents. They don't want to have to defend contentious positions in front of the electorate, even when those positions are clearly on the moral high ground. Instead, rather than playing the game to fight for what is right and win, they play to try to keep themselves from losing. Anyone who follows any sport knows that this is a losing strategy over the long term.
This strategy results in a party that looks scared and desperate (despite being the majority party with the American electorate), lacking in confidence and conviction, and appearing as if it really won't really stand behind any position. Instead, many of them look like nothing more than craven, chicken-hearted, poll watchers with no real moral center. No wonder the Democrats so often snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Shame on the Democrats who folded and supported this terrible bill. Shame on Democrats who would rather sell out children to open racists who are causing suffering as a part of an inhuman policy, rather than risk a fight.
9
@Al O’She did t fold. Should we have just sat back and had nothing signed. How would that have aided the children. I’m so so sick of everyone pointing blame. She’s an amazing leader so give her a break.
8
Unusual setback for Pelosi? What has she accomplished other than sinking the Democratic party with her recalcitrance?
5
@Anthony We have the House of Representatives due to her leadership.
8
Pelosi did what she could. But democrats were worried that they would lose votes because they would be seen as too soft on illegal immigration.
Shame on us as a society, when making sure children are not tortured is considered "soft."
SHAME ON US.
19
Pelosi's priorities are with helping the political prisoners the Trump administration is holding hostage at the border. McConnell's priority is maintaining a stranglehold on government. If Americans needed any further reason to sweep the Senate and the White House clean in 2020, you couldn't ask for a clearer case. Trumpublicans created the chaos at the border with their photo-op stunts and punitive illogic. If they steal this humanitarian aid for their own illicit purposes, that will be the end of them.
11
The Progressives, especially the young and newly elected, just got a lesson in Congressional law-making, that what you want isn’t always what you get. It’s called compromise, and legislation is typically built on bipartisan compromise.
Now, will they wait to torpedo a bill that the moderates support to exercise payback? That would be the route to dysfunction in the House, taking a playbook from the Republican “Freedom Caucus” that drove the Republicans nuts and led to years of an unable-to-Legislate Congress.
And, by the way, the immigrants, especially children, got a lot from this Bill. It was not a Republican victory, it was an immigrant victory. Would the Progressives rather have held up that help in order to fight for everything they wanted?
14
@JTOR,
"Would the Progressives rather have held up that help in order to fight for everything they wanted?"
Strange question. Of course they would. Do you seriously think they care about children? At least AOC cried near the border fence.
4
@areader Did you happen to notice how staged her performance was? Wearing full makeup and absolutely no photos of the children being detained. I trust Pelosi, not the far-left.
1
Americans concerned about humanitarian conditions on the Mexican border seem never to concern themselves with the inhumane conditions of a people born in America, live in America, suffer in America. If anyone fails to recognize where these people live and under what conditions, let them turn their humanitarianism toward the Dakotas, or places in Arizona, Oklahoma, and other mostly Western states where America's First People live.
I despise these phony political humanitarians with every fiber of my being.
8
@Edsan it is, in fact, possible to care about both.
4
@Edsan Eh—what a sweeping generalization. It’s not an either-or choice.
2
@Edsan
The Indians? They have gambling.
If you mean what you say then consider Mississippi.
If ever there was a state full of poor people who are worthy of our love and help they are it.
No Nancy Pelosi did not give in. She, in good faith, has done the humane thing.
Only a Republican would have held back from trying to aide little kids.
This will be a feather in Pelosi’s historical cap, not a detriment!
25
"The decision came after a striking display of disarray ..."
What, in the Democratic Party? I hope all you AOC followers can stomach another four years of Trump, because that is what you are gonna get.
5
Are Pence's assurances worth anything? I would think not.
6
"Vice President Mike Pence gave Ms. Pelosi private assurances that the administration would voluntarily abide by some of the restrictions she had sought"
Ha, is she serious? Private assurances! From this administration that deals in nothing but bad faith and lies. What a joke.
The trouble with Democrats is, half of them are right wingers who would probably be Republicans if the Republicans were a regular right wing party and not a white spite religious death cult. This is what decades of unrestricted right wing propaganda will do to a country.
7
What is the Democratic’s position on immigration? No one knows because they can’t articulate it in a clear and concise fashion, meaning the other side can continue to harp on how the “Dems” just want open borders.
6
Ms. Pelosi is nobody's fool. She gave the left flank its opportunity to make its views known; but counting votes is a fundamental skill which she excels at; something that the more ideological House members are not as concerned with.
5
The article focuses too much on political battles and not enough on the actual conditions on the border and and details of the two bills - what they cover and don't cover.
This is a pretty common problem in journalism today and a sad abdication of journalistic responsibility to report the facts.
6
Something new... compromise. Finally, our elected officials found a way to compromise in order to get relief the kids who need it. It was smart to accept the bill and move forward.
The Cambridge English dictionary -
Compromise - An agreement in and argument in which the people involved reduce their demands or change their opinion in order to agree. That's what I think happened today. For that alone, I think we took a step in the right direction.
8
The real takeaway from this is that Trump and McConnell will engage in hostage-taking and threaten the emotional and physical well-being of anyone, children included, in order to get their way.
This from the party that wants us to believe that it is the defender of family values.
17
No requirements for humanity (in Republican-speak: restrictions) means more profit for the private companies operating as border jailers.
I think it is as simple as that.
Restrictions equal cost. No restrictions equal profit.
9
@Marie
Exactly. The "Invisible Hand" at work.
Hurting people to increase profits.
1
Forget the children, if you don't do what Mitch McConnell demands, the president might not sign.
I support Speaker Nancy Pelosi. However, this is not compromise, it is capitulation.
5
Trump would not sign a bill with the requested House changes.
He still may not sign it.
The right thing to do was to get the bill done, get aid to the children. The Senate bill was bipartisan, and this is no time to play petty politics on such an important and urgent need.
14
As anyone who watched the debate Wednesday night could plainly see, the candidates were tripping all over themselves trying to demonstrate extreme views of immigration policies.
I realize that such views are appealing to what is perhaps the most vocal element of the party, but volume does not equal effectiveness.
The Democratic party cannot win on extreme positions. The American people want both humane policies and limits on illegal immigration. Extremists on both sides act as if these two policies cannot co-exist. Well, they can and they had better co-exist for the good of the people involved and for the good of the country.
If Republicans can't get this, Democrats must. If they cling to extreme positions such as the decriminalization of illegal entry, they will lose next November.
240
Very well stated!
21
noone wants open borders!
please stop misrepresenting democratic ideals, it is super frustrating, especially when used as basis to conclude that we will lose!
33
There was absolutely nothing extreme about any policy presented last night.
22
I'll back the Speaker on this one. As she said the other day, "it's the children, the children". I'm quite sure Ms. Pelosi is adult enough to accept a small "defeat", then move on to bigger issues to deal with.
21
This is what happens when Nancy Pelosi is more worried about keeping her job as Speaker in 2021, than about whether the children continue to be abused by the Trump admin.
Pelosi could have put the hammer down -- and told any Democrat that did not back her on this that they could kiss bye-bye to DCCC money, and that any incumbent would be fair game to primary challengers in 2020.
So spare us the crocodile tears, Ms Speaker. You have the power to stop the abuse of these children, and you've chosen not to use it.
@paul lukasiak, you seem to have forgotten that getting all the democrat's votes in the house doesn't get a bill passed. Pelosi is about getting done what needs to be done, all be it imperfectly, NOT about her position as speaker.
9
The commenters on here livid at Pelosi for "capitulating" and demanding a refusal to compromise are delusional about what can be achieved and are woefully ignorant of how divided government works. Instead of claiming , as some have, that this proves there's no difference between the parties and therefore they might just stay home from the polls in 2020, today's events prove the exact opposite. There is a huge difference between the parties, and to pretend otherwise in a moment of frustration is to exhibit a short-sighted childish immaturity about the hard slog of democracy.
Instead, this only proves how critical it is to mobilize all Democrats to show up at the polls and drive Trump from power and return the Senate to Democratic control. That is all that should matter in 2020. Fulminating against every setback (inevitable in divided government) might make you feel good, and morally superior, but it doesn't get the job done. The only thing that will bring the policy results you want is to vote the Republicans out of office at every level. Wishing them away and ranting about Pelosi's supposed shortcomings are naive in the extreme and a ridiculous waste of energy,
19
I've lost confidence in Pelosi now. Now I am also beginning to question her other decisions.
When the health and well being of children is at stake what else can you do except capitulate? Trump and McConnell have shown time and time again they care not a wit about anyone who isn't wealthy and certainly not about children who can't vote. Our only hope for real progress is to control the Senate and the Presidency and hopefully electing women.
8
Pelosi acted responsibly. Insisting upon the perfect would have meant delaying indefinitely what relief for migrants might arise from the Senate bill more or less immediately. This reader has no doubt McConnell would have been happier had Pelosi balked - now he has to live with the idea he may have given away too much.
8
The Venezuelan wing of the Democratic Party needs to understand that without the moderate Democrats elected from suburban districts in 2018 the Democrats would not control the House and would have no power at all.
8
Trump will get his wall. Too many moderate republicans in the Democratic Party.
1
Why is everything viewed as a win or a lose these days? When America assumes a better position for her citizens with the guidance of the elected, we all win. Politicians and those who inform us of them, have always wrangled and taken defeat as professionals.
When did this become so ......personal?
6
Reading the many critical comments here, many seem to forget that in order to get any money for the children, the House had to compromise and accept the Senate bill. To walk away would simply mean that the problems at the border would not be addressed and only become more dire. Some of their Democratic confreres in the Senate even found it possible to support that bill. The fact is, the House was on track to accept the Senate plan until the far left (some whose self-righteousness betrays a lack of experience and judgement) decided to load the House bill with well-meaning guard rails on the money's use. While I appreciate the principles the left are defending, sometimes compromise is the best resort so that one can live to fight another day. Speaker Pelosi is one wise woman and will find a way around Republican roadblocks.
25
With no restrictions this money can simply go to his wall!!!!!!
2
@anselm But there is nothing to say it will be spent on children, nor spent on children in a positive way.
1
I don't understand how stricter oversight conditions and not cutting ICE funding are mutually exclusive priorities. Is there something about the two things that make them incompatible with each other?
7
"It's time to quit playing games. Time to make law."
There you have it, everyone. President McConnell has spoken.
Just don't expect this directive to be stated when it comes to health care, infrastructure, immigration reform, anything pertaining to climate change, campaign financing proposals or overriding Trump vetoes.
31
It’s extremely disappointing that the Senate bill was passed without House conditions
Wasn’t that the point of the bill?
To improve the ‘house’ conditions of these poor children?
Speaker Pelosi, clean up your own House
8
McConnell runs the senate period.
6
This is a moral and political disaster. I am ashamed.
15
Compromise or appeasement? What's the difference, there are no safeguards in the Senate bill.
"And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well for all I've seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows..."
-Billy Joel
4
These are the types of scenarios that scare me with Democrats and the type of divisiveness that can help Trump win in 2020.
16
"Restrictions" that would be Republican-speak for "humanity".
For this Republican administration it would the equivalent of "you can have a birthday cake, but you can't burn the children with the candles."
What seems obvious, ethical, and moral has to be spelled out to those who call themselves Christian as "restrictions".
5
McConnell and GOP demonstrate their heartless manipulation of children to undercut Democrats - and anyone WITH a heart- just for their political gain. Every day McConnell, Trump, and the GOP earn their label of deplorable. They are happily killing this country and the Constitution for personal gain.
12
Pelosi did the right thing. Time to get some relief to the children suffering under Trump's inhuman policies!
15
@Dersh Agreed, but I would like to hear Vice President Pence's assurances that some of the House conditions would be met by the administration even without them being passed into law loudly repeated in every news story about this bill.
The Republicans now own not just the migrant family border housing crisis but the good-faith implementation of a reasonable and human solution. The House bill would have held them accountable by law, but now they are accountable in the far less forgiving court of public opinion. One more mess like Clint, TX by an administration that insisted it could be trusted with no strings attached and President Trump can kiss his re-election chances, such as they are, good-bye. The social media "I told you so" will be like unto a tsunami, and Trump's name will be a by-word for child abuse and neglect in the same way it now is for sexual assault. And non-stop lying.
With any luck the malignant Senator McConnell will be permanently washed out of our national government as well.
2
The only thing more infuriating than the criminal, inhuman GOP regime are is the consistently pathetic capitulation of the Democrats. Pelosi has blocked impeachment, and now she's signing off on a bill that will allow the GOP to continue abusing children at the border?!?
Why have the Democrats? What do they do??
I pray for someone with energy and anger, someone like AOC, to take control of our otherwise worthless party.
11
Todd,
The country is in distress. The voting apathy and impact from suppression keeps Democratic constituencies away from polls.
The politicians have to live in the real world. A world where the Senate is far right. A House with a lot of battleground districts.
Advocacy groups have to hit the streets and work in these conservative states and regions to educate.
Martin Luther King spent most of his time marching in the South for a reason.
2
@Todd
Todd, you need to get out of your SF echo chamber and get a look at the rest of the country, seriously. AOC will get the party nothing. Take a look at a map and try to wrap your mind around the FACT that representation is geographic, not population based, and georaphically, the country is predominantly red, not blue https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_states_and_blue_states
6
Nancy did not blink. The responsibility is now entrusted. Children matter.
13
"Her retreat came after Vice President Mike Pence gave Ms. Pelosi private assurances that the administration would voluntarily abide by some of the restrictions and rules that she had sought..."
Anyone who believes that this Administration will do ANYTHING voluntarily has not been paying ANY attention.
Secondly, anyone who believes ANYTHING because Mike Pence said it to them in private has not been paying ANY attention.
40
So it's the "moderates" who are disrupting, and to think its in order to kowtow and pander to anti-immigrant, pro-ICE, "law and order" ideologues. Are these the members of the caucus that Pelosi is trying to placate by not initiating impeachment proceedings? So much for that strategy.
9
I think Pelosi did what she could and was smart to compromise. I believe there will be a lot of oversight at the border, certainly from the media , as these changes get implemented.
Democrats are attacked as wanting “open borders”. Of course this is ridiculous. When Democrats are talking about immigration, especially the presidential candidates,they MUST lead with their opposition to open borders before they say another word about addressing the current crisis. They’re getting pushed into a corner on what is going to be a major 2020
campaign issue.
15
@Phyllis
The problem is that their actions and proposals show they are for open borders.
They vote against border security until the situation is so dire that they look bad.
They're against merit-based immigration systems.
They're for granting amnesty and path to citizenship to potentially millions of people. They're even against the citizenship question on the census - a non-starter in Canada and every other G7 nation - because of course that would affect representation in Democrat-dominant districts.
If they're truly against open borders, they sure are doing a very poor job of demonstrating that with their policy actions.
6
If anything results from this sorry episode, I hope it is a stiffened resolve of all Democrats to regain the Senate and defeat Trump next year. How rewarding it will be to see McConnell as a powerless minority leader.
20
I am so, so very tired of the political cowardice of Democrats. Why would anyone, 2 1/2 years into the Trump presidency, believe any promises made by anyone in the administration?? I do not believe one child's situation will improve as a result of this "compromise." But, even if I'm wrong about that, I know with rock solid certainty that the money in this bill will be used to detain and mistreat more migrants and more children. Pelosi should resign.
10
@CJM
I agree. Pelosi needs to go. She just demonstrated exactly why.
Very sure of that, aren’t you. Do you have a pipeline into the Republican decision-makers?
Let’s watch how it plays out before assuming what will happen. The Republicans realize they have a PR mess on their hands and want to treat the immigrants humanely, for PR reasons if nothing else!
2
@JTOR Yes, I'm pretty sure. Primarily because I have been paying attention the last 2 1/2 years.
Republican decision-makers don't matter. Only Trump's fixations matter. He is fixated on detention as deterrence--or on "detention as deterrence" as a political message, anyway--and you'd need to be pretty naive to think that has changed. Thus, more $$ will mean more detention. More detention means more people suffering, "humanely" or otherwise.
Just how many times does the same thing have to happen before I get to assume the outcome?
Speaker Pelosi had no choice. And that's how many of us feel as Trumpism marches on.
It seems more and more that the best the politicians can do is decry the sickening parallels between the declining dignity of American democracy and the 1930's rise of fascism in Germany and Italy.
14
Umm, you need to do some reading up on the rise of the Nazi Party.
We are nowhere near that point. And we have a very energized opposition ready to defeat an increasingly unpopular President—IF we don’t screw it up by divisive infighting.
4
At least the Democrats are not shutting down the government for a month for some crazy idea like a "wall" that Mexico was to have paid for (Trump Bait and Switch).
Instead they compromised so they could fight another day for what is right. "Compromise" is does not appear in the Republican dictionary. It only has two words: Wall and Obstruction.
14
The Force is strong with Speaker Pelosi. Trust the Speaker - Trust The Force.
Speaker Pelosi knows how to count votes and knows well that: one does not necessarily engage in every battle in order to win the war, or prevail in terms of other objectives, whether they be ultimate, strategic, or otherwise.
“There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.” - Sun Tzu - 'The Art of War'
Speaker Pelosi knows that:
"You got to know when to hold 'em,
Know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away,
And know when to run.
You never count your money
When you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the dealing's done.
Every gambler knows
That the secret to survivin'
Is knowin' what to throw away
And knowin' what to keep.
'Cause every hand's a winner,
And every hand's a loser,
And the best that you can hope for
Is to die in your sleep." - Kenny Rogers - 'The Gambler'
Speaker Pelosi is not a gambler, but Speaker Pelosi KNOWS...
13
Billions so federal LE can retire before 50. Meanwhile the republicans poisoned the people of Flint MI. Voting matters kids.
4
Democrats since Clinton started "triangulation" in 1993 have specialized in negotiating the best possible terms of surrender.
All so predictable that Republicans laugh up their sleeve, knowing that Dems will crumble in the end, every time.
Well, get ready for Dems negotiating away national protections on access to abortion. With this Supreme Court, that's next on the 'to do' list.
7
After this, I'm "taking a knee." What an appalling country we live in under Trump, McConnell, ICE, DHS, and the new, spiteful GOP. We begrudge these desperate kids a toothbrush. Again, appalling.
39
Did you people attacking Pelosi even read the article? She was deserted by moderates in her own party:
1. "Liberal Democrats were left infuriated.
“No one should be advocating for the Republican proposal in the Senate if you’re in the House, especially given we had a strong vote from our caucus,” said Representative Mark Pocan, Democrat of Wisconsin and a chairman of the progressive caucus. “I just would hate to try to explain that back home.”
On Twitter, he later singled out the Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of 23 Democrats and 23 Republicans, for their push to consider the Senate bill, asking “since when did the Problem Solvers Caucus become the Child Abuse Caucus?”
2. And even worse: "Moderate Democrats privately told House Democratic leaders that they were wary of supporting a bill that provided less money for ICE that could later be used against them in their re-election campaigns to portray them as weak on immigration enforcement."
How do you like them apples?
6
@Leslie Parsley More importantly, whaddaya gonna do about it?
Me, I think I'll be making a contribution to my Representative, Mark Pocan. I hope he continues to speak out on this issue. Malicious immigration enforcement and total incompetence or indifference at our southern border are losing propositions for the GOP. MAGA? Huh! Shove their phony hug-the-flag patriotism down their throats! If America mistreats immigrants and refugees who are coming here to build a better life for themselves and their families than it just ain't America any more.
1
Mike Pence’s assurances to Nancy Pelosi are meaningless. He is a partisan hack.
15
Really! What choice did she have? If she hadn’t agreed to this bill then the assistance needed at the border would have been denied and the Dems would be held responsible for the all atrocities at the birder. She was effectively held at gunpoint. It’s disgusting.
17
How does one balance party cohesion against the care of children? Nancy Pelosi is attempting to do the impossible. Because she is both an astute politician and a decent human, she did the necessary and most right thing the circumstances allowed. If democrats will allow Mitch McConnell to dictate terms to them, they deserve to go home and stay there.
16
@WCMacdog
“I was just balancing party cohesion”
The new “I was just following orders”?
Remember these are concentration camps we are talking about here.
2
Being re-elected. The absolute number one priority of those we sent to Washington to represent our interests. Their interests, their cushy jobs with ridiculous health and pension benefits, come first.
6
Democrats continue to not understand a fundamental truth: Trump won because of his immigration policies— not in spite of them. Democrats look like they are for open borders and that they care more for other nations’ citizens coming here illegally more than US citizens. This is not a recipe for success in 2020. Good thing Pelosi let the Senate bill pass. Take what you can get and move on to other issues - like helping US citizen voters who can’t pay for medical care or prescription drugs.
20
@John
Trump won because Hillary Clinton rigged the primary, end of story. The Democrats ran the only candidate that could lose as a result.
4
@Corbin Are you serious? How did Hillary rig the primaries? Did you not read the Meuller report? Russia elected Trump, Hillary had nothing to do with that. Perhaps you need to replay the debate when Trump asked for Russia's help.
1
What could possibly be the rationale for denying simple things such as adequate food and shelter to children in this bill. This is purely for Trump. This money will be misused.
7
Disappointed to see this yet I do understand why. The GOP forced the DEMs hand after the picture of the dead dad and daughter emerged. No one really knew the extent of the "inhumanity" at the detention centers because no mainstream press was allowed though "rumors" had emerged. For the DEMs and Pelosi, NOT doing something in an immediate sense, NOT trying to cooperate with what looked like a "reasonable" approach put forth by the GOP, would have made her and the DEMs seem beyond heartless! A very cruel game of "chicken" any way you look at it. Of course it will make the GOP look like the heroes when of course they are NOT! They are the cause of the crisis, not the heroes. Black hearts indeed!
10
"Her retreat came after Vice President Mike Pence gave Ms. Pelosi private assurances that the administration would voluntarily abide by some of the restrictions and rules that she had sought, including notifying lawmakers within 24 hours after the death of a migrant child in government custody, and placing a 90-day limit on children spending time in temporary intake facilities, according to a person familiar with the discussions."
Oh well, that's different then. We're now trusting this administration of liars and conmen.
8
We are at war with the GOP. Pelosi either doesn't know it or refuses to admit it. Thank you for your service Senator, but it's time to step down.
4
@James F Traynor She's Speaker of the House, not a Senator. Thanks for playing.
5
@James F Traynor She's not a Senator.
3
“They are melting down, in disarray, and it’s the easiest thing in the world to do,” crowed Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the No. 2 Republican. “There’s a bipartisan bill to solve a crisis. Everybody in this town knows the Senate bill is going to pass. Everybody knows how it’s going to end.”
Yes, Mr. Scalise, you should be so proud of your bullying party using the welfare of children to divide a party that win this battle or lose, has the moral authority you have thrown away in your support of a ruthless, sadistic, malignant narcissist, who would happily throw you under the bus in a heartbeat.
Nice and fruitless pandering that if you imagine is going to work out in favor of the GOP in the end, I have six bankruptcies, hundreds of nuisance lawsuits, pilfered charities, piles of debt and unpaid bills, thousands of documented lies and having read the Mueller Report strong evidence of both collusion and obstruction to deliver to your doorstep.
For now, you have a Senate majority led by a corrupt plutocratic bully, but having observed "the Donald" for years, this whole episode of contagious amorality and insanity is not going to end well for anyone. The only question is how extensive the damage will be. It's already obvious that this president and his enablers are going to go into the dustbin of history as one gigantic human stain.
15
@pixilated Scalise runs thin on me too. Leader from a state at the bottom of every measurement - healthcare, education, infrastructure, etc. You'd think LA, AL, MS, etc would tire of being the country's boat anchor.
7
European Americans have been doing this since before they were considered American. However now it's appalling and politicized.
Let's not forget about the endless massacres, rapes of Indigenous Women, the taking of Indigenous Children putting them in "boarding schools" to civilize them to fit into "New America"
And now that history has been white washed and sanitized over many generations most people don't know the sinister truth which is very unfortunate. So now we have the European Americans deciding who goes and who stays in the America they built. It is a old belief that a thief will fight harder for a stolen item than the man who that it was stolen from. Maybe this is the reason for the talk of border walls, illegal aliens and children in cages.
The most bizarre thing in the equation is Mexico and Central American are popular tourist destinations. Tacos, burritos and tequila are given a thumbs up. However maybe there are too many Mexican and Central Americans here... We need more European Americans maybe some Nordic folks will come, maybe some more Ukrainians, and since Europe having that Muslim problem they can come over too. When you read the 1828 version of Webster's Dictionary and you look up American it clearly states who the Americans were.
The "Real Americans" didn't put up a wall, didn't impose tariffs, take children from parents and put children in cages.
Meanwhile European American Republicans and Democrats play chess with human lives for political favors.
6
Shame on those House Democrats and Republicans who put their political lives before the lives of children. These are not Problem Solvers. They are the problem.
6
"Centrists" or capitulators. I think the latter. McConnell wins again. The Democrats just don't have the fighting gene in their DNA.
5
@Stew Sorry but centrists are far more reflective of the views of the electorate than the radicals. The latter may be louder, but the Democrats didn't win back the Speaker's gavel through the radical left. The sooner the Democrats realize this and become more pragmatic the sooner they can govern more effectively.
5
Compromise was once a keynote of Congressional action. It hasn’t been that way for the past several years — very disconcerting to witness so many policy failures - environment, health, foreign policy, defense, education. Speaker Pelosi did the only possible action to attempt some aid for those held at the southern border. Depressing to read of the failed clauses but still a promise of positive help.
139
Promises from this administration are empty promises. Just ask Susan Collins after she voted against health care based on those promises. I am disgusted
11
@Soleil Several years? Certainly the entire Obama administration saw zero compromise. Politicians only see their next election so that is what they base their decisions on. The future is to be sacrificed for tomorrow.
@Soleil Thank you Mitch McConnell for single handedly destroying this great democracy. An accomplishment even Russia and Communist China failed to do.
9
House bill asked for specific conditions as oversight. It is certainly warranted for, given all that we know about the atrocities and the abhorrent conditions at the border. Pelosi's stance is laudable and her acceptance of a very difficult position should be considered a good and positive aspect of law-making. Defeat isn't a word I would use. Remember, Pence has assured Pelosi that the administration would voluntarily follow all those restrictions House bill asked for. Mitch isn't interested in allowing any oversight to the Democrats - that's pretty much the only game in town. Pelosi tried her best to share some of the responsibility, but Mitch doesn't want to share it. The ball is now in GOP and WH court to spend the money wisely. If it doesn't work, it will be Senate and WH's problems.
6
@forall I would not take Pence assurances to the bank.. This administration has no allegiance to truth.
6
@forall "Pence has assured Pelosi that the administration would voluntarily follow all those restrictions House bill asked for."
Is this satire?
"The ball is now in GOP and WH court to spend the money wisely. If it doesn't work, it will be Senate and WH's problems."
No, it'll be more kids suffering. There is no evidence to suggest that they'll use the funding to deal with the crimes against humanity being committed by the government. They refused to allow kids to shower for weeks at a time. No soap. No toothpaste. Frozen food. Treated worst than animals. And it was not because they didn't have the resources. CBP officials said they were fully stocked -- they just were not giving it to the kids. This was by design.
9
It is sad that it often takes an impossible-to-hide but easy-to-predict system failure to get government to pause its grandstanding long enough to act. The behavior pattern is like setting a sophisticated chess computer to look zero moves ahead - a lot of wasted resources and unforced errors.
Anyone can clean up a spill with a rag, the trick is keeping all the bottles upright without having to spend all day holding them.
1
Pelosi and Democrats strengths are also their weaknesses. Accepting the Senate bill to provide resources was the empathetic thing to do for Dems, but Republicans have no compunction about starving children or bankrupting the country to get their way. Dems must learn how to walk away from a deal if necessary and blame Republicans. Power is morality and righteousness, but it is also raw force and resistance.
12
It wasn’t “empathetic.” There was a rebellion among moderate Democrats who did not want to have to explain to their home districts why they voted to reduce funding for ICE.
1
Random thoughts:
Pelosi was right not to start impeachment proceedings when she has Republicans masquerading as Democrats in the House.
This is one more US violation of human rights.
If Democrats don't get their act together and cannot act as one cohesive body, we are doomed to see Trump sitting in the Oval Office for four more years.
12
Is the radical Left aware productive, legal tax paying American citizens are not interested in participating in or funding disastrous socialist policy? Normal Americans are withdrawing, emigrating, leaving for other realms. The outflow is real and permanent. The Tipping Point has arrived. The financial collapse will occur overnight. This is reality. But everyone already knows this..
7
>>> "Normal [sic] Americans are withdrawing, emigrating, leaving for other realms. The outflow is real and permanent."
Is that a promise?
7
@Screenwritethis
Don't let the door bump you on the way out, friend.
9
@Screenwritethis To where are people emigrating? I'm curious.
6
Ugh - must we frame everything the legislative branch does in terms of winning and losing?
This is compromise in action, and compromise is what you need when you have a partisan government. When no one's perfectly happy, you know you've done it right.
I'm glad they got something done for once.
11
You have to pick your fights carefully. Trump's the president with wide latitude over the actions of the executive branch. The best way to end Trump policies is to defeat him in 2020. Democrats need to be crafty politicians, not ideologues, to win the states that were lost in 2016. That's the way the world is right now.
8
The only way to always get your way is to have a veto-proof majority in both house of Congress. November 2020 is just around the corner.
6
Victory for these kids. Can we sometimes please just focus on results instead of treating the legislative process as a zero sum gain?
11
@Barbara I agree!
2
This loss is what happens when the far left demand more than the moderate majority is willing to give them. The bill without the cut in ICE funding would have insured necessary safeguards to protect migrants and children. Now they have much less. This is thanks to the far left faction of the Democrats who are putting their extremist politics ahead of people's lives.
11
@Una there was no far left involved. It’s the Republicans who are trying to force their extremist ways on all of America. It’s down right UnAmerican!
7
@Geneva9
And that's exactly why your first comment while understandable was dead wrong. These are treacherous people.
1
Capitulation. It is what Democrats do best. Senate Democrats capitulated. Now House Democrats capitulated. Meanwhile, House Democrats continue to propose "feel good" bills that go nowhere in the Trump's Senate. They even fail to hold Trump accountable for breaking the law as time ticks away toward the 2020 election.
This is NOT what I, a moderate, elected Democrats to do: capitulate.
6
I feel for Pelosi, because overall she is a good Speaker. But all in all, the Democrats made their own mess on this one. Those seeking the nomination all acted like desperate huns rushing to politicize the deaths of father and toddler, it was shameful at the debate last night. This situation has been a crisis for a long time despite all the denials -- nothing is more powerful like the power of denial. Despite the emergency money and all the misery that has gone on, nobody is addressing a few key elements 1) reform the asylum law which is the attraction, 2) adopt the e-verify law which is the other attraction and 3) work with Mexico and Canida to formulate an overall, long term plan for the Central American area (along with their countries) that will usher in some prosperity for the struggling people who can find no other option but to leave. I really wanted to disown the Democrats last night at how they were so overly eager to use these deaths to the point it sounded like a few candidates want open borders. This I fear is going to cost them the election because few Americans want open borders and most would love to see this border crisis resolved.
5
Unless Pocan can honestly say that not one migrant child will benefit AT ALL from the Senate Bill, he should be condemned for his slander. The worst calumny he can morally and intellectually issue is that the "Problem Solvers are the 'We're not doing as much for the kids as we can' Caucus."
Child abuse is a horrible, HORRIBLE thing, but the failure to eliminate it, or even to substantially mitigate it, is NOT itself abuse. Unless he can wrap his head around that, he will find himself stymied by people who can discern a difference and find him hysterical (in the classic sense).
If NOT doing anything, for any kids, is preferable to failing to do whatever Pocan wants, he is evil. If his point is that $4.5 billion dollars is too much money for too little improvement, let him tell me first what the improvements that will occur are worth (and then I shall have some idea what expenditure he seems insufficient for a child's benefit by dividing benefit value [according to him alone] by the number of children who will benefit [according to him alone]). Then let him tell me what his bill does and for how many; again, I will calculate.
That's how rational actors act in a world of tremendous, but ultimately finite, resources, not like the congressman who would sacrifice some good immediately on the hope that he can get more eventually.
Wisconsin, please try to do better next time. We are confident you can, 2016 aside.
2
It's one thing to lose a battle when you are visibly fighting. It's another to lose it while trying not to jostle the enemy. Republicans, unified in their focus, hold the power. Democrats, well-meaning but disjointed, do not.
1
Speaker Pelosi was right to pass on this one. It wasn't worth the battle since Trump would have vetoed a spending bill with regulations that would have been a check on his administration's egregious behavior. The fight should be for the Presidency and Control of the Senate. Then she can do all that she THINKS NECCESSARY.
6
Ms. Pelosi still has my support. She was in between a rock and a hard place and that money was essential for humanitarian aid. And while it is true the administration has done a horrible job of taking care of children, and this is a stain on our country, something is better than nothing, and something was very much needed. You can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good (even if barely so). The so-called progressives have to grow up, take this one, and move on while continuing to push for better. Life is never ending compromise - deal with it.
5
I find this report unfair and biased. Not a big Pelosi fan but she did the right thing here. How is this a stinging loss if it frees up help for desperate kids and their parents at the border? Also let's give Pence a chance to keep his word.
6
I have no idea who McConnell is working for but it is not the people. His only interest these days seems to be increasing he and his wife’s wealth.
7
Could it be that someone in the Democratic party might care about the millions of semi-skilled and working class Americans, many of them people of color, who will actually have to compete for jobs with the legions of migrants thronging our Southern border (unlike most NYT posters who generally well compensated professionals)? Just asking.
8
Some of the comments here sicken me. Saying all Democrats want open borders, women staying in hiding until they can give birth to "newly minted Democrats". What is the matter with you? Have you not seen or read what is going on at the border?
This is a humanitarian crisis created by your heartless, bigoted, unsympathetic president.
And for the record, the vast majority of Democrats do not want open borders.
17
The people here taking about open borders aren’t here to listen. They are here to force democrats, specifically progressives, into submission.
They won’t listen to you no matter the information presented nor do they care about the people fleeing violence. They are selfish souls who think they can build walls and keep all the wealth and jobs to themselves. They in no way see a works community. And they absolutely fear being replaced by minorities.
3
@Tam
I think these children need to be well taken care of and what is currently happening is sickening and wrong.
And, I am a Democrat who thinks Democrats are evasive and don't clearly state that national borders are essential if we are going to have a democracy. No borders, no nation state, no nation state, no democracy, as democracy can only exist within national borders.
4
Here’s a list of House Democrats who are part of the Problem Solvers Caucus, or should I say, the “Let’s Cage Kids at the Border without Soap or Let them Drown in the Rio Grande” caucus:
Sanford Bishop (Ga.)
Anthony Brindisi (N.Y.)
Julia Brownley (Calif.)
Salud Carbajal (Calif.)
Tony Cardenas (Calif.)
André Carson (Ind.)
Jim Cooper (Tenn.)
Jim Costa (Calif.)
Charlie Crist (Fla.)
Joe Cunningham (S.C.)
Debbie Dingell (Mich.)
Vicente González (Texas)
Josh Gottheimer (N.J.)
Derek Kilmer (Wash.)
Susie Lee (Nev.)
Daniel Lipinski (Ill.)
Stephanie Murphy (Fla.)
Eleanor Norton (D.C.)
Tom O'Halleran (Ariz.)
Jimmy Panetta (Calif.)
Scott Peters (Calif.)
Collin Peterson (Minn.)
Dean Phillips (Minn.)
Max Rose (N.Y.)
Bradley Schneider (Ill.)
Kurt Schrader (Ore.)
Darren Soto (Fla.)
Abigail Spanberger (Va.)
Tom Suozzi (N.Y.)
Jeff Van Drew (N.J.)
Peter Welch (Vt.)
6
Now, take a look at what happens in GAZA -- MUCH WORSE!
Lets stop far-right wing "evangelical" conservatives treating children and families like animals...
2
Shame on my party! Unfortunately, It is the lesser of two evil parties and I will remain a Democrat. Maybe now Nancy will move to an impeachment inquiry. She doesn't need the blue dogs for that. And, btw, there don't seem to be any blue dog senators left. I wonder why.
2
The Democrats disunity will spill over to the presidential election and let the doofus in the White House win again.
1
Just quit. How can these pols be so useless and spineless.
1
Nancy Pelosi has just ratified my criticisms and objections to her, her "go along to get along" to protect her own power.
She has, since the Mueller Report came out, been diluting the ONLY power Democrats have, the House of Representatives, refusing to BEGIN impeachment investigations, counting yet again, as Democratic so-called "leaders" keep doing, that the election will "fix" everything.
Yeah, like it "fixed it" in 2016 when a sure Presidency and Senate were lost by similar wishy-washy spinelessness. Democrats didn't win the House by following the "leaders" of the Party, they won by NOT following the "leaders" but by getting out and getting out voters.
The Democratic "Leadership" refuses to see that 40 years of losing cannot be reversed unless you change your strategies, which they just won't do.
The House definitely needs new leadership, as does the entire party. But the "leaders" are and will fight tooth-and-nail to hold on to power, even if it means losing the nation to Trumpism, a pseudonym for the seven letter F-word .
4
Feckless Nancy Pelosi. All hat and no cattle yet again.
4
to Pelosi, it's always been about Pelosi.
Democracy is wonderful, until you loose.
2
Pelosi needs to step down.
She is controlled by the same sort of corrupt mobster influences which control Trump.
1
The Morons are going down in 2020 - incredible!
There is nothing wrong wth a practical solution. Move on...Dems. Oversight of this administration is a joke.
Jesus: treating the weakest and poorest among us is how we will all be judged. Mexicans are human being deserving of kindness.
2
They aren’t Mexicans though. They are from South America.
@Mathias They aren't from South America either. Central America.
Thanks for playiing!
1
"...Vice President Mike Pence gave Ms. Pelosi private assurances..."
Totally worthless
How could the democrats have been so stupid!???
Easy apparently
1
The fact that a bill of this kind has to be considered at all only reflects the deep moral rot in this country. There is no "immigration crisis." This is a manufactured crisis, just like the Iran crisis and a host of others. The real crisis is what American foreign policy has done to countries like Honduras and El Salvador and Venezuela. We screwed up their societies with our Monroe Doctrine arrogance, so the least we can do is take in their refugees. All of them.
1
Monroe should pay reparations for his doctrine
She needed to send help to all of those children immediately...and it was more important than the extortion the Republicans were demanding
20
The NYT got it wrong. It’s not a defeat. Speaker Pelosi is rightfully focused on the children. Until we earn back the Senate and the Presidency she has no choice but to negotiate the best deal she can for the sake of our democracy and humanity.
It’s easy to criticize when you don’t have to make the tough decision between doing some good or doing nothing at all. She’s doing something to solve the problems that Trump, Mitch and the GOP created. Instead of criticizing Speaker Pelosi, criticize Trump and the GOP. Ask Christian evangelicals why they aren’t protesting these GOP-led humanitarian violations. Then, do something to support organizations that advocate for those seeking asylum or greater opportunities.
3
I totally disagree with this Lede. Ms. Pelosi did the right thing. Was it perfect? N0. If you must have perfection become a pharmacist.
In the world of ugly disgusting realities, we don't need perfectionists, we need humanitarians.
Well done Ms. Pelosi!
16
If you are negotiating for hostages wait to celebrate after the hostages arrive safely. Until then the terrorists just pocketed the money.
@gpickard
Dear Mathias,
Ms. Pelosi did the right thing. If it is hijacked by Trump, we start again, but in the meantime, be glad that it is more than likely that some relief is on the way. By the way are you a pharmacist?
Pharmacist is a nickname Italians give to unreasonable perfectionists.
2
Representative Rashida Tlaib, Democrat of Michigan, said, “We are really, truly creating a whole generation of children that won’t forget what we did.”
What does she mean? That there will be a whole generation of children of illegal immigrants? A whole generation of children of illegal immigrants in this country who will be happy that they live here? Or a whole generation of children who went back to their native countries and wouldn't forget the conditions they were kept in before they left?
4
(Translated) We paid for their vote, duh.
2
Speaker Pelosi put the welfare of the refugee children ahead of scoring political points. Bravo to her.
What remains to be seen is whether Pence can deliver on his assurances to treat the children with humanitarian decency and dignity. That is a big question because Republicans have shown they have searing disdain for people south of the border. Their god must be some kind of sadist.
28
Why should we expect anything new? The pumpkins will take this money and do what they want with it, which is to harm more immigrants. This money should’ve been allocated to a third-party such as the Red Cross to make sure that it is used for humanitarian purposes only.
1
As usual Republicans get their way because Democrats have to hope they do the right thing. Trump and the GOP, of course, will not do anything humane with the money. Why does it feel like we are all being held hostage by a bunch of murderers?
3
Rember Will Rogers, who famously said that: “I Am Not a Member of Any Organized Party — I Am a Democrat”.
True in 1930, true now.
1
McConnell said: “It’s time to quit playing games, time to make law.”
McConnell, the self-proclaimed Grim Reaper of Congressional legislation and senate majority leader who steals Supreme Court seats is by far the biggest hypocrite and phony to ever occupy our government (except of course for the Stable Genius).
10
@L But the stable genius, the "acting" president, is incapable of doing much more than blow hot air. McConnell is capable of doing -- and does -- real damage.
3
JimBob,
I agree.
They both have to be shown the door in 2020.
2
I hope Pence can be trusted--we know Trump can't so he will probably make a liar of Pence. Trump will want to use the money to build his wall.
Trump will claim he was responsible for "victory" but McConnell made this happen. Shame on them both.
2
By the rivers of Babylon,
There we sat down and wept,
When we remembered Zion.
2Upon the willows in the midst of it
We hung our harps.
3For there our captors demanded of us songs,
And our tormentors mirth, saying,
“Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”
4How can we sing the LORD’s song
In a foreign land?
5If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
May my right hand forget her skill.
6May my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth,
If I do not remember you,
If I do not exalt Jerusalem
Above my chief joy.
7Remember, O LORD, against the sons of Edom
The day of Jerusalem,
Who said, “Raze it, raze it,
To its very foundation.”
8O daughter of Babylon, you devastated one,
How blessed will be the one who repays you
With the recompense with which you have repaid us.
9How blessed will be the one who seizes and dashes your little ones
Against the rock.
2
Democrats must stick together.
Or lose their power to get anything done.
We need to learn more of why Mr. Trump fired Mr. Comey -- and other questions regarding the alleged obstruction and potential collusion noted in the Mueller Report.
https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2019/06/26/timeline-of-deceit-from-trumps-draft-to-rosensteins-cover-story/
1
Bad move by Pelosi.
You never negotiate with hostage takers.
Basically, the Trump administration is taking these kids hostages.
While it is preferable to behave in a humanitarian manner, allowing a hostage taker to dictate the terms in unacceptable.
If they do not have the money to house these kids at $750 a night per person paid to a contractor, the "motel" should be emptied out.
The article does not mention that John Kelly (yeah, THAT John Kelly, the guy who was hardnosed about separating kids from their families) appears to have a business interest in at least one such paid-to-house-kids contractor.
Headline: John Kelly's new role on a detention center board set off ethics concerns that he may be profiting from the child separation policy he pushed
Link: https://www.businessinsider.com/john-kelly-new-role-will-profit-from-child-separation-policy-2019-5
That stinks worse than a dirty diaper.
5
@Joe From Boston
Precisely!
To some this might seem like a “soft move” by Pelosi, but in reality this was a “power move” because this was for the Kids.
15
Trump blamed the Democrats for the detentions and the deaths of immigrants. Now that the Republicans have the bill they wanted, Pelosi should hang all immigration problems on them. If children are living in squalid conditions or die in custody, it's all on the Republicans.
9
Love you NYT but this headline is part of the problem. Why does every negotiation need to be framed as a win or a defeat? It certainly doesn’t help encourage compromise in the future when the parties know they’ll either be framed as a winner or a loser by the media the next day.
12
Pelosi just lost my trust.
oh...a breeze, ahhh...oh wait...no, no, that was fhe effects of the Dems blinking. all those fluttering lashes...so many butterflies...
Here we go. Watch as fhe Dems blink over and over. Next will be challenging Trump on his proposed delay of the census. Dems will blink. The money in this bill will be spent as the Admin wishes, and the Dems will blink. We might even see some Wall being built, using funds "stolen" from other sources. and the Dems will blink.
And, boy oh boy assurances from Pence! Be still my heart. I guess its written in stone with the finger of his (imaginery) god. Cause his boss has not contradicted him before. If he's ever done what Pence has said would be done. Pence is not The Trump Whisperer! No one is...and we need to come to grips with this...! We can not rely on anyone getting things done other then what Trump suddenly dreams up. except by withholding information, or keeping him distracted like a toddler...which are too iffy to rely on...
what an ongoing rain wreck this WH is and remains. while the Dems look like road kill on and besides the tracks...
Nancy Pelosi took the word of the ventriloquist’s puppet. Pity the ventriloquist is a racist, vengeful liar..
And they wonder where Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez came from. Is it at least conceivable that she embodies deep base frustration with insistent capitulation?
1
This entire crisis is child abuse. Felony continuous child abuse. Any mandated reporter seeing this must call CPS.
The perps would face 15,000 counts each with a life sentence. Quit calling it anything but and start accusing Ttump of child abuse. Any restraint makes you as accessory after the fact to child abuse. Including reporters.
3
"...private assurances that the administration would voluntarily abide by some of the restrictions and rules...".
Sorry, VP Pence. I would not take that statement of yours to the bank given your subservience to Trump and given Trump's history of blatant lies.
But, how much of that funding will trickle down to where it is needed or will "administrative fees" tacked on by the successful contractors consume most of the funding?
The Speaker may have bet on the wrong horse, along with the Blue Dogs and moderates.
5
@Dan
Who would rely upon private assurances by a serial rapist?
At least 22 women have stated Trump sexually assaulted them, several have described rape.
He confessed to his proclivities on tape.
His attorney in his first divorce proceeding, says he asked if he could be charged with rape of his wife during the marriage.
His DNA is on the dress worn by the last of his rape victim's to go public.
Why hasn't the Manhattan DA charged and arrested him?
Why would anyone rely on his assurances?
1
Where in the Bible that Evangelicals pretend to follow does it say to treat children the way the Trump Administration is treating them?
Then I remember that to Evangelicals, the Bible isn’t a guide to how to live one’s life. Rather, it’s weapon to inflict pain on those groups that displease them.
Since Evangelicals don’t believe that children of color are worthy of the mercies of their intolerant and cruel God, they’re fine with the way these children are being treated.
13
@Sterling
As the Obama administration did before this administration. The only difference is the opportunity to use awful photo opportunities against Trump because he is Trump the despised by the elite. The press would never do that to Obama.
1
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is a careful corrupt crony socioeconomic political coward by nature and nurture. Nancy is all talk and tactics without any action and strategy.
What good was the political victory that brought her back to power if it not used against the gravest threat to preserving,protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States since the Civil War and Jim Crow eras. Trump is much worse than Benedict Arnold, Aaron Burr and Jefferson Davis combined.
4
About 3,345,896 Democrats have said that Democrats don't want open borders. But abolishing ICE and decriminalizing illegal entry means we have de facto open borders. To paraphrase AOC and others, a concentration camp is a place where a large number of people are detained. Likewise, a country that lets people in illegally without meaningful consequences has open borders.
4
How on earth a bipartisan agreement, so long lacking in Congress, can be viewed as a defeat must only be in the minds of the hideously jaded and hateful.
6
Trump creates crisis->Trump ratchets up crisis->Dems fold.
Trump obstructs justice->Trump continues obstruction-> Dems fold.
Are we learning yet?
1
Fortunately, there are still three branches of government. Protection for children to enforce Flores is active in the courts. The Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law is filing an emergency request for a Temporary Restraining Order and a Contempt Order against CBP in federal district court, demanding that CBP immediately start processing children for release to parents and relatives as required by the Flores settlement, and to provide them with basic necessities including adequate food, clean water, medical care, and access to sleep. The TRO further demands immediate, unfettered access of medical experts to the facilities, to evaluate and treat the children. The case is now Flores v. Barr (Was Flores v. Sessions) in federal court in Los Angeles.
Note: "The Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law (CHRCL) is a non-profit legal services organization that represents all detained immigrant children in the United States through the Flores v. Sessions class action case.
"Since 1997, CHRCL has had a nationwide settlement agreement with the government that sets the national standards for the humane treatment and prompt release from custody of detained immigrant children.
"Under the settlement, CHRCL is the only non-governmental organization in the country permitted to inspect every detention site where children are held and to interview and assess the treatment of all detained children.
https://www.reunify.org/
1
How long will it take before Democrats get it?
The Pelosi and Schumer show has been one long death spiral of timidity, fecklessness, and spineless defeat for years now.
I am so sick of hearing their reasoned arguments... which inevitably lead to some variation of capitulation! Pelosi at her most powerful sounds like a scolding den mother. It’s as inspiring and effective as wet tissue paper.
For months, the pundits have been telling us that Pelosi is a lioness and a strategic operator. I haven’t seen even the start of a clue of it. It’s a myth! This is war, and the only thing that matters is RESULTS!
I am as Blue a Democrat as it gets, but I gotta say, waiting for a win - or even signs of a pulse from this current crop of Democrats - is getting long past old!
She did the right thing. The alternative would have run aground on the evil ruthlessness of McConnell and the GOP.
9
The spouse-beating spouse has been let go again. Tonight, he/she will beat his/her spouse with relish, again. May you have nightmares for what you've done.
1
Pelosi just handed Trump his 2020 re-election. This is a total cave for the democrats, and is the beginning of Trump's deportation efforts.
1
It takes true leadership to realize making America safer amidst unprecedented numbers of undocumented persons entering requires pampering the children of border crossers - travelling hundreds of miles through Mexican cities, towns, and other Central American countries as necessary because it's an emergency - rather than "security" measures.
2
The house must begin impeachment proceedings now. Shumer must step down - he is too willing to compromise with (capitulate to) Republicans.
The "moderate" democrats need to be challenged by more forward thinking and acting democrats and the DCCC needs to stop protecting those quislings.
1
Central America's champion won't rest until there's not one child of a border crosser living in the conditions millions of American children have to endure.
Sorry inner city, Central America first with 4.6-billion expedited with love.
2
Unconscionable. The money, absent restrictions, will be used for further abuse, not for helping children. It will place more children in danger, not fewer. Those who think this benefits the children in any way are deluding themselves. Shame on the Dems who caved. Shame.
1
Get the money to the kids. Enough of who wins and who loses.
11
Be fair to the Speaker. There is a real crisis at the border and it needs money. The Speaker is doing what has to be done. She tried to get few points for the all Teump all the time wing, it didn't work.
8
helping these kids should be the focus, not if it is a "victory" or "defeat" for a person, party or chamber of gov't. The reality is the Senate holds the cards (votes) and the Congress can stand on its head, jump around, create a Twitter storm or otherwise, it doesn't matter to the Republicans like Mitch M. in power. She may be dumb like a fox to get something done here vs. not pass anything.
13
It is not a defeat for Nancy Pelosi. She has displayed a caring side of a mom and grand mom. It is is to deal with the humanitarian crisis on the Southern border. Bravo Nancy for the greater good one has to set aside oneself and party preferences. You have shown that the bipartisanship is still possible and Congress is doing people's work after all.
20
Now the clock is ticking for the Trump administration to fix the humanitarian crisis at the border, and fast. I don’t see how this is a defeat for Pelosi or the Dems. Trump can’t use them as an excuse anymore to do nothing (not that it was a very good excuse).
We’ll know soon enough if the conditions at the border improve in the next week or two. If not, then that cross can be laid squarely at the feet of Trump and Mcconnell.
15
@HeyJoe Exactly who was responsible for the child abuse that has been so well documented these past few days if it was not Trump and McConnell? We do not need to witness further abuse to lay the responsibility for these horrors at their feet!!
2
Genuinely think immigration is the lone issue that could cost a Democrat the 2020 election.
The first debate showed how far left the party has moved on the issue.
The responses from Castro and others will be cheered by activists on Twitter. But they don’t make much sense to working class people.
Workers who weld, hang dry wall or clean rooms know that millions of new arrivals will limit their ability to demand stronger wages.
The Koch brothers and Chamber of Commerce have long championed de facto open borders. Depressing to see the leading Democrats now in the same boat.
5
This could certainly have been used as a political bargaining chip, but these unfortunate souls need help now.
3
I don't understand why many commenters are angry. The Senate bill passed with 84-8 votes (some Dem Senators being at the debates). It means all people, Democrats and Republicans, agreed it was a good bill.
138
@areader That's ridiculous. The Republicans control the consideration of legislation in the Senate. The Senate bill was the only option they presented to the chamber. Given a choice between the unrestricted money in that bill or no bill at all, Senate Democrats chose unrestricted money. They did so in large part believing that final legislation would be drafted in negotiation with the House, which would insist on appropriate restrictions and guarantees. Guess they learned not to bet on Pelosi's backbone, too.
20
No. It doesn't necessarily mean it was a good bill. People will
Vote for what they can get. And in the R Senate this is what they could get.
25
@CJM I agree with your assessment, but don't think the remark about Pelosi is fair. She had to decide between doing nothing for the children who are suffering at he border, or something that may help.
14
Aamazing that the compromise was reached just as all were set to depart DC for a long 4th of July holiday which is a week away. Certainly can't let work get in the way of a planned recess. And then when they get back another recess starts in August when they have the budget and debt issue hanging over them that need to be settled in the early fall.
23
@Pam
Amazing that the Senate Leader is sitting on so many bills that would help Americans across the country.
4
@Pam
Kill joy
Does anyone still buy into Pelosi's and Schumer's definition of "oversight" and their overall plans for the coming election?
If so, care to explain why, because this clear lack of coordination and communication alone should make you ask about where their leadership is at.
When will they both run out of self righteous excuses and show that they understand the stakes?
15
@Fluffy's Revenge you sound like the GOP talking. And to answer your snarky question: I buy into Pelosi's and Shumer's overall plans for the coming election. It's clear that you don't so I expect you're either a Berniecrat or a Republican. In either case, you will lose.
1
An absolutely stunning display of weakness.
What's the point of controlling the house if you're just going to let the Senate do whatever they want?
Guess what a voluntary commitment by Mike Pence is worth?
25
@APA
a voluntary commitment from VP Pence is worth more then anything a dem. would have to offer.
as for the House, controlling means you should have to do something useful.
1
Democrats do not want a totally open border. If citizens are worried about asylum seekers in this country before their hearings, fund more workers to process applications and access claims of migrants so their claims are dealt with systematically instead of waiting years and years. Fund translators and immigration lawyers to process those applying.
Legislators are in crisis mode. While allocating more money to process applicants, also fix the rules of immigration and stick to them.
18
I am no longer certain of this. Unless I am misinformed, so-called progessives like AOC DO support open borders. They will destroy the Dem party &, at the very least, give djt 4 more years. The Dems need to rein in the radicals or kick them out & let them form their own party. Let them try to win elections without the Dem party infrastructure behind them. I sincerely hope AOC's political career is very short. She is a loose cannon & a huge liability. She is an embarrassment, does not represent mainstream liberal Democrats, & she needs to go.
4
@penney albany Great post. In other words fix it longer term at least.
Unfortunately, aside from Pence's assurances to Pelosi on a few of the legitimate Democratic concerns, the only constraint on the administration will be what the media is able to report to the American people. I have no doubt Trump is capable of making the situation much worse for these children.
27
@Joe B. Baseless assertion
1
What reason is left for the liberal wing of the party to continue to support Pelosi as Speaker? Her whole raison d'être was her ability to hold on to the centrists, so what good is she now?
12
@LdV It's clear that you're either a Berniecrat for a GOP troll.
1
She is going to have to go.
@LdV
That is the question and IMO the answer doesn’t bode well for Pelosi...
Not that she will lose the speakership but her mojo is wearing away...
The Democrats had no choice but to approve the Senate bill because, one again, they lost the battle to frame this debate from the start. The Dems did not change position in identifying the humanitarian crisis. Indeed, they did so long before DJT jumped on board in order to get more money for his border objectives. But, now, the Dems have to swallow writing a blank check to a lawless administration that took funds authorized for other purposes (Defense Dept. needs), when DJT wanted extra for funding the wall. The Dems fail to point out that this same administration couldn't find funds when it came to humanitarian needs. The Democrats are right that stronger controls are needed, that these funds could also be misappropriated and not get to their intended use, but who is listening at this point? Just read these comments.
15
How is it that Republicans never are accountable for the mess they create and at the same time are successfully able to pass the responsibility and accountability over to the Democrats?!
92
@Barton
Because they have the most watched cable channel completely loyal to them, able to spout the party lines 24/7. Thus, it's a lot easier for them to create and manipulate perception of things.
11
@Barton: It's called McConnell.
8
@Barton
How is it that this is a Republican mess? The democrats under Obama controlled congress and the White House and did nothing on immigration. To blame this wholly on one party is pretty selective thinking.
2
I don't buy the headline that this is a defeat for Pelosi and the story angle that it's a stinging rebuke from her caucus. She wanted a stronger bill. Then she compromised. I call that legislation and leadership. When did Speakers Ryan or Boehner ever do that?
210
@jg
I agree totally. This is what is supposed to happen in DC. If "winning" amounts to only getting exactly what your side wants. then it is not going to happen very often... if at all.
9
Is it defeat to provide aid/funding to help both the agents and those seeking asylum?
42
There was no funds for the agents in the House Bill, so cave.
You think that's a defeat for Pelosi - wrong she is a wise and that is a smart victory.
43
She caved!
1
@kdw As my grandfather used to say, "Give a man enough rope and he'll hang himself". In other words, with no extra effort on your part. It looks like Ms Pelosi just gave Mr Trump and the Republicans a whole lot of rope. Let's see what they do with it.
4
@Roberta Laking It is certainly a way forward.
1
Why are these so-called 'Problem Solver' Democrats referred to as 'moderates'? What's moderate about giving Trump and his nativist acolytes a carte blanche at the border? This is why Democrats lose elections -- at the end of the day they always fold. Consequently people don't believe a word they say. This is a terrible betrayal of migrant children who under international law demand our support
11
@PF thery are corporate democrats
@connie
Agreed. I just watched CNN and MSNBC who didn't mention their role in this debacle. The coverage was all about the progressives being difficult while Nancy Pelosi was trying to get things done.
I guess she isn't the great "leader" that democrats have been touring all these years.
4
Democrats putting politics aside to try to solve a humanitarian crisis at the border.
52
@Nick@MNGRRL Yeah because abuse of children must always be rewarded. Always. Nothing wrong with that in order to make the trains run on time. Right?
That was caused by republicans.
2
Nancy got what she deserved. Since 1968, it’s always been supposed moderates — the supposed “sensible center” — that bites the hand that feeds them. She would do well to remember that the next time she throws shade on the activist progressives that do most of the legwork involved in keeping her and her kind in Washington.
4
walter. speak it, brother. shout it loud! amen.
If you think Pelosi is wrong then you really don’t want bipartisanship.
53
Weak and useless. She becomes more and more co-dependent to the Republican governmental disorder. Why does she act like a political beaten woman? Something is definitely wrong going on at a time the nation can least afford afford it.
1
at least there will be help for the children
12
@DVargas Will it though? At $700 per child per day, the mistreatment of these children is not due to a lack of funding. The cruelty is the point.
1
“We already have our compromise,” Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, said on the Senate floor, calling his chamber’s bill “the only game in town.”
“It’s time to quit playing games,” he added. “Time to make law.”
This is pretty rich for Mr. McConnell.
40
So centrist Democrats prevailed over the Progressive Caucus in their disagreement over how to deal with the migrant crisis. Now that's what I call REAL progress!
19
See what you can accomplish when you have a BIG TENT.
Not that the Senate bill is such a wonderful bill, but it's something. Better than nothing, I would say. Just think -- Republicans have a humanitarian side.
Thanks, Madame Speaker.
20
Trump and the Republicans will never allow solutions to the mess at the southern border - a mess of their own making when they decided to lock up most lawful asylum applicants and separate children from parents without adequately preparing for either. Add their conscious policy to use human cruelty as a “deterrent”, and you have the situation today.
There are partial solutions, like hiring 1000 more judges to reduce the asylum case backlog and number of refugees awaiting hearings.
But managing the flow of refugees competently abs humanely would take Trump’s core campaign issue off the table. Then people might look more closely at his utter corruption and abuses of power for his own ego, greed and power.
This is all about Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign. He needs suffering Central American migrants at the border to stoke fear and hatred and distract from his party’s malfeasance. Every tyrant needs his scapegoats.
21
@JePense\
And there are legal remedies for that. Obama's administration deported illegal residents.
@Julie B
The mess at the southern border has been there for decades - only because despised Trump objected that millions of people entering the country illegally, receiving federal tax payer funded social security welfare and local government assistance, overloading already poor performing US public schools (37th in the world), having petty and violent crime increase with gang related activity, high percentage from people here illegally, an opioid and fentanyl crisis that is killing US citizens where a about 50%of illicit drugs comes across the open southern border and also the real threat of sleeper terrorist cells also crossing our well advertised open borders is not the greatest policy for any country. This is all because the leftist socialist democrat party has decided back around 2006 that demanding no voter identification allows them to pack the voting polls in certain jurisdictions with easily manipulated persons in the country illegally, and by continuing their support of illegal mass migration into the
US they will have another underclass to dominate the voting polls for generations in the future, not unlike the initiation of welfare programs in the 1960s. The formula - give impoverished poorly educated people “free stuff” make them crippled and dependent so the party can control their votes and its own destiny. Machiavellian, but in keeping with the party of slavery, the Ku Klux Klan and Jim Crow injustice.
You can’t trust liars. Pelosi may have just undermined her authority in the future when this spins back around and the funds are used to cause yet more suffering.
6
@Mathias: No, in that case she is proven right.
1
This is a great test of whether Pence keeps his word
10
This is all ridiculous. The archaic Senate represents States, some half-empty, not the American people, and the House represents results impacted by outrageously gerrymandered Republican districts. Over seeing this is a "President" who lost by over 3 million votes. There is no room for defending helpless children in a system like this, nor is there any room for the majority of people's wishes.
71
Exactly the problem. Stay informed and prepare for a long fight against these hateful nationalists.
5
"Vice President Mike Pence gave Ms. Pelosi private assurances that the administration would voluntarily abide by some of the restrictions she had sought....."
And I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.......
52
@JML don't bother....that bridge has already been sold hundreds of times. There is no honesty in the Republican party....it's rotten from the head down
3
Very Good. finally theGOP and The president get some traction. hope for many more!
9
And we’ll see what they do. This takes the “blame the democrats” excuse off the table if the migrant children aren’t properly cared for. The ball is in the President’s court. We all, for the children’s sake, hope he plays it well and, for VP Pence’s sake, honorably.
2
"I am not a member of any organized party — I am a Democrat."
— Will Rogers ("Ambassador of Good Will, Prince of Wit and Wisdom," 1935)
More than eight decades later, nothing has changed.
7
That's a lot of soap and toothbrushes.
8
and DJT’s administration has locked up a lot of children who need them. What’s your point?
1
It’s time for her to go.
4
And what is a "private assurance" from Mike Pence worth?
13
This is in no way a defeat. This is a victory for migrant children.
Holding up that 4 billion is a dumb hill to die on. Someone has to put children first. The Trump administration now will have to find another scapegoat.
53
@Beth Well said.
Speeding urgently needed funds to children living in squalor is the right thing to do.
Speaker Pelosi understands that being strong sometimes means a leader must allow people to call you weak.
A day of reckoning is coming in Nov 2020 for all the Republican lackeys who have enabled the shame that Donald Trump has brought upon us at our southern border.
7
A defeat for the Bartender of the Barrio. A victory for the Democrats.
1
“...Pence gave Ms. Pelosi private assurances...”
Trump administration assurances are not worth the paper they’re printed on.
13
@NJNative:
aren't "private assurances"
not even put on paper?
nothing but lukewarm air?
As long as Pelosi refuses to allow the House to open an impeachment inquiry, Republicans will know that Democrats are weak and lack fire in the belly.
6
So now that we have paid the "kidnappers" their ransom I guess we will see a lot more kidnapping.
5
The permissive, globalist agenda of the AOC-wing of the House is, thankfully, still preaching from the sideline.
10
Don’t like people who fight back against republicans do you?
1
The extreme left was put in place by the same people who got Trump elected. Chaos and infighting do nothing but benefit the party of rape, cruelty and now gerrymandering.
7
'No Backbone' Pelosi
4
How do reasonable people deal with thugs and extortionists? Hold them accountable and send them to jail.
Madam Speaker, start the impeachment hearings now!
NGOs, file lawsuits in the International Criminal Court for gross violations of human rights!
7
Alas, USA is not a signatory to the ICC framework.
5
In spite of the fact that this bill runs against the Democratic grain of the party, Ms Pelosi did the right thing. The situation at the southern border is unacceptable and we must do everything in our power as Americans to help those in need, at the very least, and without further delay.
77
The guarantees with the passage of this bill that it would get better? Because I’m not seeing them.
3
You just gave more money to the people abusing these people without restrictions.
2
We Americans support passing legislation to move towards solving the issue. The Senate bill does some of this without attempting to micro-manage. Finally, we get something done...
14
I wonder if Trump will make public an audit of how this "emergency appropriation" directed to resolve the "crisis" at the border, 'to help the children', actually gets spent.
Be interesting to watch where the money really goes. After all, Trump is trustworthy, right?
25
I hate to say it but maybe the republicans know that the Dems are spineless, and we may need a change in leadership starting with Pelosi and Schumer...Submitting to Trump tactics will only lead us down this dark valley again with the same results.
24
@Michael, So what do you suggest? Perhaps trading Pelosi for someone like Genghis Khan with a whip to bring all the Democrats together? Her impulse was that of a mother and grandmother to put the wellbeing of the children first. This is bad?
16
Agreed. This will destroy Pelosi when Trump uses it for the wall and more raids into homes without warrants by ICE.
@Michael Not maybe. Definitely. Both are politically beaten down co-dependents on Mitch McConnell and Donald. They are the last thing the nation needs right now.
1
That the Speaker would put the welfare of children before partisan politics is a true measure of her character not a defeat.
474
@MNGRRL but if NYT does not sensationalize it then Trump might not win.
8
This is unacceptable. The children should not be detained. It doesn't matter what accommodations are made children should not be imprisoned. The only solution is to let them out. This administration has lied about DHS practices and there is no reason to believe the would stop lying. This funding is bound to be used to exasperate the crisis. Trump has detained these people for no good reason to use them as pawns to cut down all and any immigration. Pelosi can't lead and is ill equipped to deal with the situation at hand. The vast majority of migrants show up to their court dates. Pence has said 90% don't, but that was a lie.
8
So we should let all illegal migrants just walk in? Shouldn’t we plan for new infrastructure for millions of people, many with no marketable skills?
9
@Lisa K:
definitely not!
you should, instead, FINALLY START
to implement FAIR economic policies:
- STOP land grabbing, mega-size monocultures,
biopiracy, corruption, slavery, food speculation, exploitation, arms sales, wars "on drugs, on terror,
on whatever else" ...
- and START acknowledging that the global north
has become rich at the expense of the global south.
NOW is the TIME to DO plenty of things about it
by daring to share fairly what's there,
both around the globe AND at home.
STOP tax evaders, tax avoiders, money launderers
and all kinds of crooks who want to fool you into
believing: "there's not enough to go around. so
YOU better make sure YOU get what YOU want" ...
while half a million people are starving in yemen
and 2019 sees 70+ million refugees worldwide.
countless conflicts, wars, unending bloodshed,
fear, envy, hatred, despair, traumatized masses,
for generations to come.
HOW could WE let this deadly mess get so far?
@al
This has been going on for decades, and now the cartels know that children are the ticket to get into the county, they traffick in children as well as heroin, cocaine and fentanyl. Many of the children do not come with relatives, but with traffickers, do you turn them loose with the pimps and traffickers? With despicable Trump threatening to derail the original leftist socialist democrat party intent, now attention is paid, the camps were there during the Obama administration FYI. The Democrat party has decided back in the 2000s, that demanding no voter identification allows them to pack the voting polls in certain jurisdictions with easily manipulated persons in the country illegally, and by continuing their support of illegal mass migration into the US they will have another underclass to dominate the voting polls for generations in the future, not unlike the initiation of welfare programs in the 1960s. The formula - give impoverished poorly educated people “free stuff” make them crippled and dependent so the party can control their votes and its own destiny. Machiavellian, but in keeping with the party of slavery, the Ku Klux Klan and Jim Crow injustice.
It's sad that it had to come to trusting Mike Pence. I will believe it if I see it, that he's true to his word. Like everything in the GOP repertoire, I don't believe a word he says.
29
Even though Pelosi agreed to the GOP border bill, we must remember which party argued in favor of leaving detained children to their own devices for hygiene, has ruthlessly torn children apart from their parents and imprisoned both, and spread xenophobic hysteria trying to convince the American people that immigrants are evil beings that are the real threat to the US. It was the Republican Party. History will revile the 21st century Republican Party.
55
"...a stinging defeat that was ensured by Democratic disunity..."
Behold, the predicted outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
I hold my breath.
13
I don't consider passing this bill to be a defeat for Ms. Pelosi. Instead, it was her way of getting help to these hundreds of children that Trump is holding as prisoners under inhumane conditions. No worry, Ms. Pelosi will put the leash back on the junk-yard dog very soon.
25
@edgar culverhouse
By removing any oversight over how the money is spent, none of this money will help the children. It will be used to incarcerate more children. You don’t understand how Fascism works.
Pelosi was already a moral failure for blocking impeachment. Now she’s a political failure. She should resign or be removed.
3
Democrats should be infuriated---at themselves. How are you going to win anything, much less the WH, if you fail to act in harmony? Put aside the little quibbles and unify!
13
Pelosi needs to be replaced. If not, Trump will be re-elected in 2020.
3
I am ashamed of my government for tolerating treating small children in this fashion. I will not be voting for anyone complicit in farming out detention responsibility to private companies without insisting on proper provisions for moving young children rapidly to home based care and on proper treatment in the interim.
414
@Judith Turpin this is very smart of Pelosi. She is wise and that is a smart victory. This is not a defeat for any party or person - it is a way forward.
20
@Judith Turpin
Good news, Pelosi has agreed to a term limit until 2022: she also negotiated this limit for her two deputies; who have not publicly consented as far as I know.
She, and they, would, however, need two thirds of the Dem caucus in 2020 to extend until 2022.
She will be 80 in 2020 and 82 in 2020.
This vote bodes very badly for Pelosi & crew.
You’ll at worst get Republicans leading the House, or a new Dem crew.
4
@WorkingGuy. Good! I’m sick of Pelosi AND McConnell. They both wield too much power over the Legislative Branch. This entire abomination we have now can be laid at the feet of a few self-serving individuals who have been granted TOO MUCH AUTHORITY. I don’t care which party they belong to - I’m going to vote in fresh blood that’s actually willing to work instead of just producing sound bites.
“that could later be used against them in their re-election campaigns “. This is the crux of the problem. Too many representatives care about re-election and re-election only.
14
The leftists are the Democrat party.
27
@Knute
it's actual name is the 'Democratic' party
9
@Knute...Does that make the "wrongists" the republican party?
10
@knute. Gee, thanks for that brilliant observation. I never would have guessed. Does that mean the republicans are on the right? Wow!
5
For what its worth this is how this filters to me:
If it helps an illegal immigrant Democrats are For it.
If it hurts the President, or those perceived to be his 'base', aka as American Voters, Democrats are Against it.
76
@GregP Hey Greg, you've got plenty of time to hit the recommend link a few more times.
13
For what it's worth, you are wrong.
16
What it really looks like is republican posters are here spinning. Obviously anyone who fights back and doesn’t except republican rule is the enemy of the people.
Why are you on a so called liberal site anyway? Here to attack and spin for the party?
19
If she hadn't acquiesced, she and the Dems would be accused of NOT helping the children, even though this bill DOESN'T really help them. Republicans are a disgrace to humanity.
'Her retreat came after Vice President Mike Pence gave Ms. Pelosi private assurances that the administration would voluntarily abide by some of the she had sought, including notifying lawmakerse within 24 hours after the death of a migrant child in government custody, and placing a 90-day time limit on children spending time in temporary intake facilities, according to an official familiar with the discussions.'
90 days ? It shouldn't even be NINE days.
215
@Michelle Who cares if they are accused? At some point you have to have moral compass and draw a line in the sand.
5
@Michelle unfortunately I think you are right. but it is heartbreaking to think a deal was reached with acknowledgement that children WILL die. What have we come to?
5
@WindthorstsGhost Exactly, as if there would ever be a good-faith critique from Republicans. Democrats are cowards who will do everything possible and use every excuse in the book to punt.
If Republicans accuse them of not helping children, accuse them of locking up and mistreating children. They should be able to make that one stick. Don't somehow accept the blame for a problem directly caused by Republicans.
It's called fighting back.
Who were the moderate democrats who abandoned Pelosi and why did they abandon her?
27
@Doug. Good question, indeed. The Republicans always act like Fire Ants...no matter what...they stick together and attack.
9
@Doug Google "Problem Solvers Caucus"
1
They are paid to. It’s easy when you represent a few people instead of the actual voters.
1
Dear NYT:
Why does all the framing have to be the most venal, partisan plotlines?
This is not a "striking display of disarray and an unusual setback for Ms. Pelosi."
This is Ms Pelosi doing the right thing to help resolve a humantarian crisis.
Good for her!
588
@Jorge because they ARE venal partisan plotlines. Ya right, this is going to "solve" the "crisis." It's not a crisis. It's a hostage taking operation by terrorists and Pelosi is negotiating with (and TRUSTING) terrorists.
18
@Jorge Now the onus is on the Republicans to solve the crises they have created. We'll be watching.
25
Excellent point, sometimes you have to choose your battles.
15
If nothing else, this episode continues to demonstrate the radical difference between the Republicans and the Democrats.
Would a Republican-controlled House have acted in the same manner? Don't bet the farm on that.
17
Trump has the money to pay for this emergency border funding. He can use the money he misappropriated for the Great Wall of Trump.
I hope this "compromise" gets voted down. Mike Pence does not speak for Trump and his assurances are meaningless.
7
The Senate bill IS the only solution and way forward is it got the backing of 84 Senators. For those fuzzy on the math, that includes the majority of Democrats.
The House Democrats continue to posture for the media and their uber-liberal-open-borders base. However, the American public isn't going to stand for that. Just because Trump may benefit politically from a bill isn't a reason to stall it. That renders Democrats no better than Republicans.
144
Why woul the Democrats « pander » to the media ?
4
Not only do we NOT have open borders, no Democrat has advocated for open borders. Ever.
94
Democrats do not believe in open borders.
32
Oh well, I suppose now House Democrats would agree that there is indeed a crisis at the border, because said crisis threatens their electoral futures.
29
The crisis Trump manufactured. As others have noted if cruelty isn't the point of Trump's policy, what is the point?
9
There IS a crisis: Trump created it.
5
@BDyou should listen to something besides fox. Democrats have always said there is a humanitarian crises and they have never said they want open borders.
3
Mitch McConnell doesn’t compromise, he plays it as his way or nothing. House Democrats need to play by the same rules. Mitch’s bill still keeps the inhumane treatment under wraps, doesn’t mandate improvements that can be easily tracked & allows Trump to shift the money to his wall. It’s a waste of time trying to reach consensus with McConnell or Trump, they never will be an honest people. Stand on the House Bill & either they take it or leave it.
Go on the offensive to demonstrate the unwillingness to govern by consensus from Trump & the GOP. Educate people on the House bill & introduce a bill that prohibits the executive branch from denying access to government & contractor facilities to the legislative and judicial branches.,
88
I’m making a donation to Kentucky’s Democratic Party. Time for Mitch to leave.
601
Agreed. I have setup monthly billing.
The Dems must make mcconnell’s departure their top 2020 priority.
Baseball on where he sits, mcconnell is more dangerous than DJT.
41
@JCAZ Also, boycott products from the state. I stopped buying Kentucky Bourbon two years ago. Money is the only thing Republicans care about so if we all do it it may have an impact.
58
@JCAZ. Way past time.
18
This is how bipartisanship works. We need more of it. Pelosi will live to fight another day in this battle and the much needed funds will be dispursed.
313
@KathyC.
This needed to be passed. Denying basic supplies to children is not acceptable in this country!
10
@KathyC. One side caving to the other side because that side refuses to compromise, is NOT bipartisanship. McConnel MUST GO!
39
@KathyC. The "needed funds" will simply allow Trump to maintain his existing policy. Without restrictions on how the $ can be used, there's no incentive for CBP's behavior to change. They'll simply be able to build more camps to imprison more immigrants and mistreat more kids. How many times does this administration have to lie before you stop believing its promises???
9
Moderate Democrats threaten to block liberal-backed border bill
Centrist Democrats said Thursday they have the votes to block an emergency border funding bill favored by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and liberals in the caucus.
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/450693-moderate-democrats-threaten-to-block-liberal-backed-border-bill
4
Sen. Patrick Leahy (Vt.), the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) should approve a Senate-passed bill to provide $4.59 billion to address the border crisis.
"Considering the tragedy on the border and considering the fact we really had to fight against an administration that at first, people like Mr. Mulvaney, didn't want anything, they ought to accept what Sen. Shelby and I put through,” Leahy said Thursday, referring to the battle he and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) faced in putting together a compromise despite initial opposition from acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney.
“No Republican gets everything they want and no Democrat gets everything they want. Our bill is a good compromise," he added.
58
What exactly did democrats get in writing?
2
House Democrats cave, will take up Senate border bill
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/450707-house-democrats-cave-will-take-up-senate-border-bill
1
It is an absolute disgrace that Senate Democrats are folding and supporting a bill without the enhanced protections.
It is also a serious disgrace that the House Amendment sanctions the separation of children if for “only” 90 days.
Simply, this crisis is of Trump’s creation. If he wants to continue holding children because he wants to keep them in camps he can pay for it himself (Isn’t he a billionaire). Mitch can pitch in!
45
There is no “crisis “. Pelosi and Schumer made that clear many times. Do you have information that proves them wrong?
3
@Yoandel
Oh sure. Let those kids sleep on concrete and go without food or diapers.
What a disgraceful point of view.
4
No one doubts there are crisis conditions in the treatment and incarceration of amnesty seekers but that's not the make-believe gang member drug runner human trafficker faux-crisis Trump likes to talk about. This crisis stems from the way Trump has allocated resources away from aid and assistance for the refugees to policing them and, of course, wall building. His criminal disregard for their health and welfare is why the Dems thought it necessary to place limitations on how the funds are used and, if a penny of this money voted to the wall...well, something bad should happen to Trump (though it probably won't).
5
The viral video of a DOJ lawyer arguing that toothbrushes and soap are not required for sanitary conditions should be all the evidence needed to show the House bill is an important addition to the blank check bill written by the Senate.
161
Oversight? When has Trumpworld operated in an environment with actual oversight? Trump Inc went bankrupt multiple times. Did his $lenders provide oversight? Even DuetscheBank, the last institution that would loan him money, mostly looked the other way as money flowed to DJT and Javanka.
21