Statement from Eddie Kurtz, executive director of the California-based Courage Campaign, urging California Democrats to oppose any budget resolution that does not include a fix for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP):
“California Democrats have an obligation to their constituents to oppose any long-term spending bill that does not include a fix for DACA and funding for CHIP.
“With more than three dozen Republicans in the House of Representatives endorsing the Dream Act and saying it must be done by the end of the year, it is disappointing to see that not every members of California’s Democratic Congressional delegation have not yet gone on record saying the same. In addition to protecting immigrants who grew up in our communities, California Democrats should oppose any spending on a border wall if it is included in the 2018 budget resolution.
“Any long-term spending bill must also provide funding for the 9 million children, and 370,000 pregnant women who get necessary health-care services through the Children’s Health Insurance Fund (CHIP). With five states set to run out of money in late December and start turning away children and families, this is a national health crisis that California Democrats should insist gets resolved in the 2018 budget.”
“Making sure immigrants who grew up in our communities aren’t deported, and providing necessary health insurance for children aren’t bargaining chips, they’re part of our core values as Californians and Americans. We expect California Democrats in Congress to stand up for those values, and will hold any member of our delegation who doesn’t accountable.”
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