Congress passes resolution against border emergency

September 27, 2019 CNA Daily News News Briefs 0 Print

Washington D.C., Sep 27, 2019 / 04:00 pm (CNA).- The House and Senate have passed a joint resolution to terminate President Trump’s February declaration of emergency at the U.S.-Mexico Border, before departing for a two-week recess. The support for the resolution, however, is not likely to be enough to override the expected presidential veto.

On Wednesday, before leaving for its October recess, the Senate passed S.J. Res. 54 by a vote of 54 to 41. In addition to 42 Democrats who voted in favor of it, 11 Republicans supported the resolution.

On Friday, the House passed the same resolution by a vote of 236-174. Voting in favor were 11 Republicans and 224 Democrats.

“This resolution reflects the fact that the President’s assertion of a national security emergency at the border is false,” Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), House Majority Leader, stated on Friday. “The crisis at the border is a humanitarian one, and it is a crisis of this President’s own making.”

In December of 2018, Trump had refused to sign a spending bill passed by Congress because it did not devote money for a border wall, triggering a 35-day partial government shutdown over border security funding. The partial shutdown was the longest in history.

After a temporary agreement without border wall funding reopened the government for several weeks, President Trump declared a national emergency and diverted funding appropriated by Congress for other purposes for the construction of a border wall.

In response, leading bishops expressed their concern at the president’s action.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. bishops’ conference (USCCB), and Bishop Joe Vásquez of Austin, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, issued a Feb. 15 statement that “[w]e are deeply concerned” about the action “which circumvents the clear intent of Congress to limit funding of a wall.”

“We oppose the use of these funds to further the construction of the wall,” the bishops stated. “The wall first and foremost is a symbol of division and animosity between two friendly countries.”

“We remain steadfast and resolute in the vision articulated by Pope Francis that at this time we need to be building bridges and not walls,” the statement read.

If you value the news and views Catholic World Report provides, please consider donating to support our efforts. Your contribution will help us continue to make CWR available to all readers worldwide for free, without a subscription. Thank you for your generosity!

Click here for more information on donating to CWR. Click here to sign up for our newsletter.

Related Articles

No Picture
News Briefs

Newest Barbie doll is ‘monumental,’ Down syndrome advocate says

May 14, 2023 Catholic News Agency 2
Mattel’s newest Barbie doll / Photo courtesy of Mattel

Denver Newsroom, May 14, 2023 / 07:00 am (CNA).

Many little girls grow up playing with Barbie dolls and wishing that a doll would look just like them. Now, little girls with Down syndrome can live this dream. The American toy company Mattel announced April 25 that the first Barbie with Down syndrome would soon be hitting the shelves.

The first Barbie doll was released on March 9, 1959. Over the years, Mattel has released several kinds of Barbies representing different shapes, sizes, races, and ethnicities. In 1980, Mattel released the first Black and Hispanic dolls named Barbie. In 2015, three new body types were introduced: curvy, petite, and tall. And in 2022, the first Indian Barbie was manufactured. Currently, Barbie features 35 skin tones, 97 hairstyles, and nine body types. 

Now Mattel is making headlines with their newest Barbie, who represents someone with Down syndrome, and it has already sold out online. 

To ensure an accurate representation, Barbie worked with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), a group that empowers those with Down syndrome by working to create policy change, provide resources, and engage with local communities.

According to a press release from Mattel, the new doll features a new face and body sculpt to more accurately represent a woman with Down syndrome. The doll’s yellow- and blue-colored dress is patterned with butterflies, symbols, and colors associated with Down syndrome awareness. The doll also wears a pink pendant necklace with three upward chevrons, representing the three copies of the 21st chromosome. Additionally, this new Barbie is wearing pink ankle foot orthotics (AFOs), as some children with Down syndrome wear AFOs to support their feet and ankles.

“As the most diverse doll line on the market, Barbie plays an important role in a child’s early experiences, and we are dedicated to doing our part to counter social stigma through play,” said Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel, in the press release. 

“Our goal is to enable all children to see themselves in Barbie while also encouraging children to play with dolls who do not look like themselves,” she said. “Doll play outside of a child’s own lived experience can teach understanding and build a greater sense of empathy, leading to a more accepting world.”

Erin Thielman, a Down syndrome advocate and mother of three, said she’s grateful for the new doll because her youngest son, Andrew, has Down syndrome. 

“So many people support those with Down syndrome, yet there is a lack of representation for our wonderful community with regards to dolls and toys,” she said in an interview with CNA. “I found out about the new doll from social media. I follow many teenagers and adults with Down syndrome. It warmed my heart so much to see them so happy and excited.”

Thielman added: “A doll that represents girls with Down syndrome is monumental. It helps to inspire not only representation but also, it inspires confidence. With these dolls, girls with Down syndrome can hold their heads even higher knowing that they are special.”

Thielman’s 10-year-old daughter, Abby, was also thrilled to see the new Barbie. When Abby was 8 years old she reached out to Mattel asking them to make a doll with Down syndrome. They responded quickly saying they loved the idea and would pass it along. When Abby saw this new doll, tears of joy filled her eyes.

“I feel happy about the new doll because it embraces the beauty and amazing-ness in people who are unique, especially children with Down syndrome,” Abby said in an interview with Pro-Life Update. “You should never think of a disability as a disability; you should think of it as a different ability.”

In the United States nearly 70% of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome in the womb are aborted. When Thielman received the prenatal diagnosis for Andrew, abortion was suggested.

“Unfortunately, too many babies who are diagnosed prenatally with Down syndrome aren’t given the same chance as Andrew. And it breaks my heart,” Thielman expressed.

She is hopeful this new doll will bring light to this sad reality and show how children with Down syndrome are “intentional blessings from God.”

“Perhaps a Ken doll with Down syndrome? Barbie needs a friend!” she added.

You can find resources to help those raising a child with Down syndrome here.

[…]

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

All comments posted at Catholic World Report are moderated. While vigorous debate is welcome and encouraged, please note that in the interest of maintaining a civilized and helpful level of discussion, comments containing obscene language or personal attacks—or those that are deemed by the editors to be needlessly combative or inflammatory—will not be published. Thank you.


*