Democrats accept humanitarian aid at borders as part of package of disaster measures

Congressional Democrats propose to include billions in humanitarian aid tied to the US-Mexico border into a disaster relief program, as negotiators come closer to a agreement.

A Democratic House aide said he gave the Republicans "a thoughtful offer" that would include a portion of the emergency funding request from the border administration, including the request for assistance. humanitarian mission of the White House.

"Democrats recognize that there are serious humanitarian needs at the border," said the assistant. "We offered Congressional Republicans a thoughtful offer to meet those needs."

The request for additional emergency funding of $ 4.5 billion requested by the White House at the border was one of the last hurdles to reaching an agreement on the draft law on the Help in case of disaster.

The request includes $ 3.3 billion in humanitarian aid that, according to the administration, would be used to expand reception centers and care for unaccompanied minors, in addition to the treatment of arrivals. About $ 1.1 billion would go to other border operations, such as increasing the number of detention beds and the allocation of additional investigative resources.

The assistant added that the new Democrats offer excluded some of the demands of the administration that they considered as "non-running", including the demand for increasing the number of beds detention of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"Democrats refuse to give this administration a blank check, which is why we insist on control provisions that will protect the dignity and rights of migrants," the aide added.

The new offer of Democrats comes as negotiators attempt to reach agreement on the disaster relief program, intended to deal with a series of storms, forest fires and hurricanes, before lawmakers leave town next week for the Memorial Day holiday.

The Senate bill on disaster relief derailed after President TrumpDonald John TrumpThe Irish Prime Minister says the protests are "authorized" and "welcome" for Trump Gabbard's visit: the United States should not go to war with Iran Bullock opens his candidacy for the Iowa by introducing rural references PLUS Criticized Puerto Rico's treatment of past recovery expenses at a closed-door luncheon with Republicans earlier this year.

Lawmakers seem to have managed to break the stalemate over Puerto Rico, but the administration funds allocated to the urgent management of border funds and port maintenance, which are important to the Chair of Senate Credits Committee Richard ShelbyRichard Craig ShelbyDemocrats accept humanitarian aid for the border as part of the On The Money disaster: new financial information gives insight into Trump's wealth | Walmart, Macy's tariffs mean price increases | Consumer protection agency says Ministry of Education blocks monitoring of student loans (R-Ala.), Remained like points of friction.

Shelby said earlier Thursday that Democrats wishing to include humanitarian aid in the package of disaster measures, said the talks had resulted in a "breakthrough".

"We are closer than we have ever been," said Shelby. "Democrats seem to be positive with us in responding to the humanitarian needs at the border.That's good."

Shelby has eluded the question of whether the $ 4.5 billion would be included in the disaster relief bill or whether they should be less important. But his comments on Thursday mark a change from earlier this month, when he described Democrats as reluctant to merge border funding and recovery legislation.

Democrats had hinted this week that they were willing to include humanitarian aid.

Leader of the Senate Minority Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis Schumer & Joe SleepyCreepy & # 39; Crazy Bernie: Trump seeks to define 2020 Dems with insults. The conversation about the infrastructure must include the lands and public waters of the United States. (D-N.Y.) Looked optimistic about the aid negotiations, telling reporters this week that "we are making progress".

"We will have to examine … their package at the border very carefully.It has some good parts, not a lot and we will have to separate the wheat from the weeds." We need to look at it, "Schumer said, asked to include humanitarian aid.