Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

babylonsister

(171,035 posts)
Thu Jul 17, 2014, 09:22 PM Jul 2014

GOP Congressman Says Central America Too Dangerous for Congressmen—But Not for Kids

http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2014/07/steve-pearce-honduras-safe

GOP Congressman Says Central America Too Dangerous for Congressmen—But Not for Kids

—By Tim Murphy
| Thu Jul. 17, 2014 6:38 PM EDT


Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.), who spent the weekend visiting Honduras and Guatemala with six other members of Congress, reaffirmed his belief on Wednesday that the ongoing humanitarian crisis along the southern border is to send migrants home—even though he found his host city too dangerous to go outside.

Per the Santa Fe New Mexican:

Congressman Steve Pearce said Wednesday that most immigrants from Central America who are crossing illegally into the United States are driven by economic reasons, not fear of physical danger in their homeland.

...

Pearce said he and the rest of the House delegation that visited Honduras and Guatemala did not venture from their hotel very often because of the dangers, but the message they received in both countries was consistent: "Send back our children."

So to recap: Tegucigalpa is too dangerous for grown members of Congress to leave their downtown hotel rooms, but a perfectly fine place to send an eight-year-old kid. (According to a press release, the congressional delegation did leave their hotel to visit an outreach center funded by the US government. They also met with the president and first lady of Honduras.) Meanwhile, not content with the results of Pearce's investigation, a rival Congressional delegation, led by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), is en route to Central America now. We'll see if they find it safe enough to walk around.
2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
GOP Congressman Says Central America Too Dangerous for Congressmen—But Not for Kids (Original Post) babylonsister Jul 2014 OP
Rep. Steve Pearce is a hypocrite. Louisiana1976 Jul 2014 #1
Wow! pinboy3niner Jul 2014 #2
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»GOP Congressman Says Cent...