Republicans on a Utah Senate committee abruptly ended debate on Friday on a resolution opposing President Trump’s now-discontinued policy of separating children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake, introduced the legislation, S.R. 1, urging Congress and the Department of Homeland Security to halt the separation of migrant families and quickly reunify already separated children with their parents.
Davis said it’s not a partisan issue.
“It’s about a policy that’s going on in this country that we as citizens should stand up and say: Enough. We don’t want this to happen in this country,” he said.
President Trump reversed his so-called “zero-tolerance policy” after public outcry last summer. However, thousands of children remain separated months after a court ordered their reunification.
But Republicans on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee seemed skeptical. Sen. Gregg Buxton, R-Roy, told Davis the bill felt “a day late and a dollar short.” And Sen. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, argued there may be cases where it’s justified.
“I just can’t get there at this point because I think there are times when it’s appropriate and when it’s needed,” said Sandall. “So we’ll probably just agree to disagree on this, but I appreciate your passion.”
Democrats tried to advance the resolution, but Republicans adjourned the meeting before the vote could take place. That effectively kills the legislation.
