Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference on the Health Impact of President Trump’s Family Separation Policy
Press Types
Press Release
For Immediate Release:
June 21, 2018
Contact Info:
Mariel Saez 202-225-3130
WASHINGTON, DC – This afternoon, Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) joined a press conference, led by Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36), on the long-term health effects of the Trump Administration’s family separation policy. They were joined by doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals. Below is a transcript of his remarks:
“I don’t have a white coat on, I’m not a doctor, I’m not a med student, I’m not a psychiatrist, or a psychologist, or a nurse practitioner. But I am a great-grandfather, and my youngest great-granddaughter is approximately thirteen months of age. If anybody tried to rip her from my granddaughter’s arms, I would be outraged, as I am outraged by what is happening on the border today. I don’t have to be a doctor to know that it deeply damages children, not to mention the parents. How one could do that, in the face of the cries and anguish of those children, is beyond me.
“Dr. Ruiz, thank you very much for inviting so many of your colleagues, a number of whom, by the way, are from Johns Hopkins, just thought I would mention that. One of great hospitals of the world, located in our state.
“Dr. Benjamin, Susan Van Cleve, Dr. Evans, thank you for being here with so many of your colleagues. The medical and mental health professionals you’re going to hear from soon can attest to the long-term harm; not just the day-of anguish, not just the week-of anguish, the long-term damage that is being done. Separating children as young as babies from their parents is unspeakably cruel, as [Sen.] John McCain said, and I quote, ‘it is an affront to the decency of the American people.’
“The executive order President Trump signed yesterday does not resolve this crisis that he created. All he has to do is pick up the phone and call the Secretary and the Attorney General and say, ‘stop this policy of wrenching children from the arms of their parents.’ He, as he will tell us all, is a very powerful President of the United States. A simple phone call, not an executive order, not a piece of legislation. By the way the piece of legislation that he is supporting here will not solve the problem.
“He certainly doesn’t get to claim political courage for pretending to fix a dangerous policy he himself implemented. Make no mistake; his order does not end the detention of innocent children. Of course he is now saying, we won’t separate you, we’ll just put you in jail together. Oh, hallelujah.
“A misdemeanor, for crossing the border; a misdemeanor, the child, of course, has committed no crime, and the child is incarcerated with the parent. What a generous shift in policy that is.
“This order puts entire families into prison camps indefinitely, and it’s deeply disturbing that reports indicate that the Trump Administration, as has been said by the Leader and Dr. Ruiz, has no plans to reunite children with their parents. They can’t even get the comfort of being told you’ll be together tomorrow, you’ll be together next week, you’ll be together at some definite time in the future. Not even that comfort is offered by the President or this Administration.
“We cannot let this continue, President Trump needs to put these children’s well-being first. We’re going to have a vote in just a few minutes, and perhaps another hour, on two bills. Neither solve this problem. Hopefully, Mr. President, you will hear the anguish of the American people and act. Thank you very much.”
“I don’t have a white coat on, I’m not a doctor, I’m not a med student, I’m not a psychiatrist, or a psychologist, or a nurse practitioner. But I am a great-grandfather, and my youngest great-granddaughter is approximately thirteen months of age. If anybody tried to rip her from my granddaughter’s arms, I would be outraged, as I am outraged by what is happening on the border today. I don’t have to be a doctor to know that it deeply damages children, not to mention the parents. How one could do that, in the face of the cries and anguish of those children, is beyond me.
“Dr. Ruiz, thank you very much for inviting so many of your colleagues, a number of whom, by the way, are from Johns Hopkins, just thought I would mention that. One of great hospitals of the world, located in our state.
“Dr. Benjamin, Susan Van Cleve, Dr. Evans, thank you for being here with so many of your colleagues. The medical and mental health professionals you’re going to hear from soon can attest to the long-term harm; not just the day-of anguish, not just the week-of anguish, the long-term damage that is being done. Separating children as young as babies from their parents is unspeakably cruel, as [Sen.] John McCain said, and I quote, ‘it is an affront to the decency of the American people.’
“The executive order President Trump signed yesterday does not resolve this crisis that he created. All he has to do is pick up the phone and call the Secretary and the Attorney General and say, ‘stop this policy of wrenching children from the arms of their parents.’ He, as he will tell us all, is a very powerful President of the United States. A simple phone call, not an executive order, not a piece of legislation. By the way the piece of legislation that he is supporting here will not solve the problem.
“He certainly doesn’t get to claim political courage for pretending to fix a dangerous policy he himself implemented. Make no mistake; his order does not end the detention of innocent children. Of course he is now saying, we won’t separate you, we’ll just put you in jail together. Oh, hallelujah.
“A misdemeanor, for crossing the border; a misdemeanor, the child, of course, has committed no crime, and the child is incarcerated with the parent. What a generous shift in policy that is.
“This order puts entire families into prison camps indefinitely, and it’s deeply disturbing that reports indicate that the Trump Administration, as has been said by the Leader and Dr. Ruiz, has no plans to reunite children with their parents. They can’t even get the comfort of being told you’ll be together tomorrow, you’ll be together next week, you’ll be together at some definite time in the future. Not even that comfort is offered by the President or this Administration.
“We cannot let this continue, President Trump needs to put these children’s well-being first. We’re going to have a vote in just a few minutes, and perhaps another hour, on two bills. Neither solve this problem. Hopefully, Mr. President, you will hear the anguish of the American people and act. Thank you very much.”