July 16, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 119 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H5833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HUMANITARIAN STANDARDS

  (Mr. RUIZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, we learned of two Facebook 
groups in which CBP agents made hateful comments about the women, 
children, and asylum-seekers under their custody and, therefore, their 
responsibility.
  This kind of racism, xenophobia, and violent misogyny is 
unacceptable. CBP must be held accountable to end these shameful 
comments and the cruel, inhumane treatment of children in their 
custody.
  We can't simply fund supplies and expect a behavior change. That is 
why I am grateful to Homeland Security Committee Chairman Thompson and 
to Chairman Nadler and Chair Lofgren of the Committee on the Judiciary 
for holding a markup of my bill, the Humanitarian Standards for 
Individuals in CPB Custody Act, to ensure our treatment of children, 
women, and families is consistent with the principles of basic human 
dignity.
  My bill sets the basic standards we need to create a comprehensive 
public health approach to the humanitarian challenges at our border. 
Together, we are moving this bill forward to prevent children from 
dying and restore humanity to our treatment of children under the 
custody and responsibility of the Federal Government.

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