[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 25, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H5083]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HUMANITARIAN STANDARDS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Ruiz) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, today the House will vote on legislation to 
provide our immigration agencies the humanitarian resources they need 
for children, women, and families. However, that is not enough when 
this administration has argued in court that children in CBP custody do 
not need soap, toothbrushes, or blankets as basic necessities for 
hygiene.
  This bill funds items and resources for a dysfunctional system that 
treats children and families inhumanely. It does not create 
humanitarian standards that will change behavior, and it will not meet 
the humanitarian needs of children and families.
  We need to pass my legislation, the Humanitarian Standards for 
Individuals in CBP Custody Act, a comprehensive, public health approach 
to address the basic humanitarian needs of children and families under 
CBP's custody and responsibility.
  Why? Why are these humanitarian standards needed? Because, when I 
visited the border, I saw open toilets and crowded cells without 
privacy. I saw one latrine for 200 individuals. I saw babies who were 
dirty and didn't have diapers and didn't have free access to water and 
formula. Because six children have now died while in the custody and 
responsibility of CBP, under their supposed TEDS standards.
  Why? Because my bill will define what a health screening is. It will 
say that a health screening is an interview, a questionnaire, and it 
will have vital signs, an actual physical examination, and consultation 
with an emergency care provider. The appropriations bill doesn't.
  My bill will say that high-priority individuals, upon detention, 
within 3 hours, must have a health screening. The appropriations bill 
doesn't.
  My bill says that there needs to be emergency care backup for every 
individual who has a healthcare screening. The appropriations bill 
doesn't.
  In terms of water, my bill will say that every adult will, at least, 
have free access to 1 gallon of water. The appropriations bill doesn't 
give those metrics.
  It says that there should be one closed, private, functioning toilet 
per 12 men or 8 women. The appropriations bill doesn't.
  It says that individuals should have the ability to bathe once a day. 
The appropriations bill does not.
  In terms of shelter, an individual should have 2 meters squared of 
space. Right now, they are piled on top of each other. The 
appropriations bill will not change that practice.
  It says that temperatures should be kept within a humane range. 
Currently, they are keeping them in very, very cold rooms, interrupting 
their sleep, which decreases their immune system and makes them prone 
to more illnesses and mental health disorders.
  The appropriations bill does not require them to allow the children 
to sleep 8 hours.
  The appropriations bill does not say that they need to keep 
temperatures in a humane range.
  In terms of food, my bill says that an adult should have, at least, a 
minimum of 2,000 calories a day. The appropriations bill doesn't. We 
are just funding a lot of food, and we already know that children are 
given frozen burritos.
  My bill will say that a pregnant woman or a child under 12 years old 
or the elderly should have age-appropriate food and age-appropriate 
calories per day. This appropriations bill does not enforce those 
behavioral changes.
  So, today's vote is a desperate bill for a desperate situation. But, 
don't be fooled that this bill is going to meet the humanitarian needs 
of women and children at the border. Don't be fooled into thinking that 
we should pat ourselves on the back and walk away thinking that this 
problem is over or that children and families will be treated 
humanely--not when an administration is arguing that toothbrushes and 
soap are not needed for basic hygiene for children.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge a vote on my bill, and I urge my fellow 
Representatives to support my bill, the Humanitarian Standards for 
Individuals in CBP Custody Act, to bring humanity back to our treatment 
of women, children, and families seeking asylum and prevent the 
needless loss of life.

                          ____________________