The White House said Friday that President Obama is willing to negotiate with Congress on the cost of his requested $3.7 billion emergency aid for illegal child immigrants, but the administration urged Republican lawmakers to act quickly on the spending.
“We’re open to a conversation with Republicans if they have other suggestions,” said White House press secretary Josh Earnest. “Are Republicans going to act with a sense of urgency? We would like to see Republicans back up their rhetoric with the kind of urgent action that this situation merits.”
House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers, Kentucky Republican, said Friday that Mr. Obama’s request is too big and the House won’t approve it as is.
“It’s too much money. We don’t need it,” Mr. Rogers told reporters. “There are pieces of it that need to be dealt with immediately and that’s what we’re working on.”
The proposal would provide more money to social workers to house the tens of thousands of illegal immigrant children, add immigration judges to speed up deportation cases and boost funding for immigration agents.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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