Nancy Pelosi agrees to a vote on Senate border bill in blow to House progressives


In a bitter blow to the progressive factions of the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) agreed on Thursday to allow a vote on the Senate's President Trump-approved $4.5 billion border funding bill with no restrictions. The New York Times characterized the development as "a striking display of disarray and an unusual setback for Ms. Pelosi."
On Wednesday, the Senate had voted 84-8 to approve the emergency funding legislation for the U.S.-Mexico border, with $2.88 billion set aside for the Office of Refugee Resettlement and other funding funneled to the Defense Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The House's version of the bill did not include the funding for the DoD or ICE, and progressives had sought specific amendments that would have increased protections for migrant children.
Vice President Mike Pence reportedly privately assured Pelosi that the Trump administration "would voluntarily abide by some of the [provisions] 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," a person familiar with the negotiations told the Times.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Around two dozen moderate Democrats had joined with Republicans and driven Pelosi to fold. Nevertheless, the White House heavily criticized Democrats for the delay in approving the funding, Bloomberg reports, with the administration saying in a statement that it had "sent its request for emergency funding eight weeks ago, but there was no action."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Gavin Newsom mulls California redistricting to counter Texas gerrymandering
TALKING POINTS A controversial plan has become a major flashpoint among Democrats struggling for traction in the Trump era
-
6 perfect gifts for travel lovers
The Week Recommends The best trip is the one that lives on and on
-
How can you get the maximum Social Security retirement benefit?
the explainer These steps can help boost the Social Security amount you receive
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein
-
Fed chair Powell in Trump's firing line
Speed Read The president considers removing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell
-
Trump trashes supporters over Epstein files
speed read The president lashed out on social media following criticism of his administration's Jeffrey Epstein investigation
-
Judge nixes wiping medical debt from credit checks
Speed Read Medical debt can now be included in credit reports
-
Grijalva wins Democratic special primary for Arizona
Speed Read She will go up against Republican nominee Daniel Butierez to fill the US House seat her father held until his death earlier this year
-
US inflation jumps as Trump tariffs 'bite'
Speed Read Consumer prices are climbing and the inflation rate rose to its highest level in four months
-
SCOTUS greenlights mass DOE firings
Speed Read The Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to further shrink the Education Department