WASHINGTON (AP) – House Democrats on Monday demanded a vote on protections for an estimated 800,000 immigrants brought to the United States as children and now here illegally, throwing into jeopardy unrelated legislation to extend federal aviation programs and provide tax breaks for hurricane victims.
“America’s patriotic young Dreamers must have swift action on the bipartisan DREAM Act,” said Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “In addition, we face urgent deadlines for Community Health Centers, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and issues that relate to affordable flood insurance.”
Republicans had hoped to pass a package of legislation addressing the FAA and tax breaks for hurricane victims on an expedited basis late Monday, but opposition from Pelosi and other Democrats raised doubts about its prospects.
Pelosi said Congress is facing an array of urgent deadlines, but GOP leaders loaded up a bill to keep the Federal Aviation Administration operating for six more months with unrelated and inadequate items. She said the tax provisions added to the bill don’t treat all families recovering from natural disasters the same.
“All Americans, no matter where they live, deserve the same relief and resources they need to rebuild their lives,” Pelosi said.