Battle over family separations flairs anew in Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress' election-year fight over President Donald Trump's now abandoned policy of separating migrant families is stirring anew.

At the House Appropriations Committee, Republicans are batting down Democratic proposals that undercut the administration's "zero tolerance" policy of prosecuting and detaining migrants caught entering the U.S.

But in a tacit admission that Trump's actions have left them politically vulnerable, Republicans accepted other proposals. That includes one requiring a government plan for tracking and reuniting children separated from their families and imposing a modest fine if it falls short.

Republicans have also won approval of language letting federal officials hold children for more than 20 days when their parents face legal action for unauthorized entry to the U.S.

The fight has divided Republicans. Democrats hope it will propel voters their way in November's midterm elections.

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