Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today urged Congress to support emergency appropriations to address the influx of unaccompanied minors at the border and to make crucial resources available to fight wildfires. The Administration has requested $4.3 billion to meet these needs.

“Congress should have already passed a bill to deal with our immigration crisis. The bipartisan bill passed by the Senate last June and currently trapped in the House included crucial resources to enforce our border and improve our ability to process immigrants entering the country. Instead, we find ourselves in a situation where we now need emergency resources to help border agents do their jobs and to care for and safely return these children to their home countries. In addition, we need resources to address the violence and misinformation that is bringing these kids to our doorstep. While this funding will help, it should serve as a dire warning of what we face when Congress fails to address challenges in the first place.

“We also welcome the additional resources to help address the increasing threat of wildfires in Colorado and throughout the West. Catastrophic wildfires have become an unfortunate but normal occurrence in Colorado. This funding will help prepare us to respond as quickly as possible when a fire breaks out. It can help save lives and protect property and our natural resources.”

More details on the request can be found on the White House website.