Senators Urge HHS and GAO To Examine Potential Breach of Contract By Companies After Reports of Hungry, Sick, Dirty Children in Custody
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) joined eight senators in calling for the federal government to investigate federal contractors in charge of migrant children who were detained by the government after they crossed the U.S. southern border. The letters to the Government Accountability Office and the Department of Health and Human Services were sent after disturbing reports of migrant children being denied access to food, water, medical attention and proper hygiene while being held in federal contractor facilities near the border.
“Based on recent reports, there is significant evidence that some federal contractors and grantees have not provided adequate accommodations for children in line with legal and contractual requirements. In one such report, children in a facility near El Paso, Texas were given inadequate food, water and sanitation. Further, it was reported that older children were taking care of infants and that there was an outbreak of the flu due to improper medical care,” the senators wrote. “This is especially troubling given that the children in their care are often young and unable to advocate for their interests.”
In addition to Casey, the letters were signed by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Kamala Harris (D-CA).
All three letters urged government officials to decide if federal contractors and grantees are in breach of contractual obligations or federal regulations and should therefore face financial consequences.
To read the letters, click here.
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