By Sharon Zhang
This text was initially revealed by Truthout
The additional $75 billion granted to ICE might as a substitute forestall 700,000 individuals from shedding well being care, Sanders mentioned.
As Democratic leaders coalesce behind reforms for Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) brokers with out calls for for funding cuts, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) launched laws on Friday to slash the whole thing of the GOP’s large ICE price range improve and funnel the cash towards undoing Medicaid cuts.
All the Democratic caucus, in addition to two Republicans, voted “sure” for the modification. The measure failed 49 to 51, however the vote is a present of rising opposition to Trump’s immigration marketing campaign, even amongst members of his personal get together.
The Republicans who voted in favor had been Sen. Susan Collins (Maine), who’s dealing with a problem from Democratic candidate Graham Platner within the upcoming election; and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who has been a critic of the Trump administration’s raids in Minneapolis and Homeland Safety Kristi Noem’s conduct.
The modification would rescind $75 billion in extra funds for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) allotted by the One Massive Stunning Invoice. This funding would then be reallocated to Medicaid, which might forestall 700,000 individuals from shedding their well being care after Republicans’ unprecedented cuts to this system final yr, Sanders’s workplace mentioned.
“As we communicate, ICE brokers are taking pictures Americans in chilly blood, breaking down doorways to arrest individuals, and sending 5-year-olds to detention facilities, all in clear violation of our Structure,” mentioned Sanders in an announcement. “As a substitute of funding Trump’s home military, we must always as a substitute use that cash to stop a whole bunch of 1000’s of People from shedding the well being care they desperately want by investing in Medicaid.”
Sanders celebrated the assist for his modification, vowing to proceed to combat and “demand change.” “The wrestle continues,” he mentioned.
Curiously, Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-New York) voted for the modification whereas nonetheless voting for the general package deal to fund the federal government, together with a funding extension for DHS for 2 weeks. That package deal handed 71 to 29, with 24 Democrats voting “sure.” Sanders was a part of the remaining 23 Democratic members who voted towards it.
The assist for Sanders’s modification highlights a disparity between the Democratic leaders’ negotiation technique and the wishes of their caucus. Within the wake of DHS brokers’ killing of Alex Pretti final week, Schumer launched the Democratic caucus’ calls for in DHS funding negotiations, consisting of “reforms” to the company that critics have mentioned can be ineffective. He didn’t name for a discount in funding for ICE or DHS, despite the fact that there may be clear assist amongst his caucus for such a proposal.
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