U.S. House Representative of New York District 19, Marc Molinaro announced recently his first standalone bill, Schools Not Shelters Act, has passed the US House of Representatives with Bipartisan support.
The bill is to prevent migrants from being housed in SUNY College dorms or K-12 schools in Upstate New York. The bill was introduced by Rep. Molinaro after parents raised concerns of public gymnasiums being used as shelters.
In a press release, Rep. Molinaro said, “As the parent of four children, I agree and share the concerns of mothers and fathers who have spoken out against housing migrants in schools. My bipartisan bill affirms two things: First, schools are places for academics, athletics, community services, and places where children like mine receive vital therapy. They are not migrant shelters. Second, we should be dealing with the migrant crisis in a compassionate way. There is nothing compassionate about bussing migrants from the southern border, to New York City, and then to Upstate New York. All to live in an area they’re unfamiliar with and in schools that are ill-equipped to serve as migrant shelters. Our children, Upstate New York residents, and the migrants seeking a better life, deserve much better.”
The final tally of the vote was 222 yeas and 201 nays, 4 Democrats voted for the proposed bill and all Republicans. Eleven members of the House did not vote.
It is unknown if a vote on the bill will take place in the Senate.
