When President Biden proposed a $1.9 trillion virus relief bill back in January, it was touted as the American Rescue Plan. Questions and controversy followed but so did a tremendous amount of support.
The White-House briefing-room press release reported the "need to act is clear in the lines at food banks, the small businesses that are closed or closing, and the growing number of Americans experiencing housing insecurity. After nearly a year of the public health crisis, our nation remains in this dark winter of the pandemic and facing a deep economic crisis."
It went to claim that the American Rescue Plan would change the course of the pandemic, build a bridge towards economic recovery, and invest in racial justice. It reported that the American Rescue Plan will address the stark, intergenerational inequities that have worsened in the wake of COVID-19.
It was approved by Congress in March.
Some of that $1.9 trillion is still waiting to be distributed for COVID pandemic relief related efforts as officials are still working on final details for it.
About $2 billion of it will have to wait a little longer.
About $850 million that was meant for COVID testing, another $850 million that was meant to replenish emergency medical supplies nationwide, and $436 million from other health-related programs will instead go for shelters for some 45,000 unaccompanied migrant children who have crossed the border this year. Sadly, if you have seen the conditions that these children must live in today, you have to agree that we must do something about it. It is inhumane.
You may not have opened the gate, but now that they're in your yard and need help, will you turn your back on them? Yes, you can close the gate now but will you put them on the outside first, before you slam it shut?
We are human beings first and I would like to think that we are there to offer a hand up for those who need it – especially those who cannot fend for themselves.
Yes, lawmakers never approved the money for that purpose and it is not illegal for the President to divert funds in this manner, as long as he notifies Congress.
And, throwing more money into the northern triangle countries of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador will only feed the greed of those countries' tainted leaders. Vice President Kamala Harris needs to find a better solution. Tie any aid provided to those countries to provable conditions that the money will, and is, going to helping the people.
Whose fault is the border crisis (and it is a crisis)? While politicians and pundits continue to point fingers and play the blame game as the crisis continues and the children suffer.
As human beings, with real feelings and emotions, we can't let that happen.