February 14, 2019

Watson Coleman Statement on the Passage of the Bipartisan Spending Bill

Washington, DC (February 14, 2019) — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, issued the following statement on the passage of the bipartisan funding compromise:

“I voted for this bill because it keeps the government open, federal employees and contractors on the job, and blocks funding for the President’s outrageous, hateful wall. However, it falls far short of the values that should be represented in all the laws we pass and the programs we fund. While this bill seeks to reduce the number of detention beds, one bed is too many as long as there’s a profit incentive to detaining immigrants — and as long as there are for-profit institutions in the detention business, that’s exactly the kind of conflict we face. No one who has come to this country for a better life, committed no crimes and worked hard to earn a living should be thrown behind bars indefinitely, period.

“This legislation is about much more than the immigration debate that has stalled its passage. The bills included in this measure will also give federal workers a much-needed raise, and provide $17 billion in support of infrastructure improvements — including funds that could go toward the Gateway project. This bill’s passage brings an end to a crisis created by the President and will allow us to get back to work on the actual priorities and needs of working families. I look forward to that work.”