WASHINGTON (AP) The White House is threatening to veto a House bill that would provide $4.5 billion to improve the treatment of migrant families detained after crossing the U.S. southern border.
In a letter to lawmakers Monday, the White House said the measure would hamstring the administration’s border security efforts.
The warning comes as Hispanic and liberal Democrats press House leaders to add provisions to the legislation strengthening protections for migrant children.
The call comes after the U.S. government removed hundreds of children from a border patrol station in Clint, just outside El Paso, in the wake of reports that more than 300 kids were living in inhumane conditions at the facility.
Though revisions are possible, House leaders are still hoping for approval as early as Tuesday. Congress is in recess next week.
The Senate planned to vote this week on similar legislation that has bipartisan backing but many House Democrats said the Senate version’s provisions aimed at helping migrant children are not strong enough.
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