House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has denied a request from Democratic Representatives Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) and Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) to use committee funds for an official trip to El Salvador. The proposed visit aimed to assess the conditions of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident deported to El Salvador and currently detained at the CECOT prison.
In a letter to the representatives, Comer stated, “I will not approve a single dime of Oversight Committee taxpayer funds for use on the excursion Democrats have requested.” He further remarked, “If Democrats wish to travel to El Salvador and meet with a foreign illegal MS-13 gang member, they can spend their own money to do so.”
Comer referenced past accusations against Abrego Garcia, including a 2021 restraining order for alleged domestic abuse and a 2022 incident where he was suspected of human trafficking. Abrego Garcia’s legal team denies these allegations, asserting that he was wrongfully deported despite a 2019 court order preventing his removal.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) recently traveled to El Salvador to meet with Abrego Garcia, describing him as “traumatized” by his detention. Van Hollen criticized the administration for defying a Supreme Court order to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return.
