The Department of Health and Human Services angered the senior senator representing the state of Florida on Tuesday by denying Sen. Bill Nelson entry to a federal government facility detaining immigrant children.
Speaking before a bank of microphones, Sen. Nelson slammed action as a cover-up.
"They obviously are hiding something," the senator concluded.
"They are using the excuse -- get this -- you have to apply two weeks in advance," Nelson revealed. "This is what the deputy secretary told me this morning.
"And I said, 'obviously that is balderdash! You know better than telling me that we've got to fill out a form two weeks ahead of time when children's lives are at stake,'" he continued.
"So they are obviously trying to cover-up," he concluded. "They don't want us to see it."
Before election to the Senate in 2000, Nelson served as a state legislator, congressman, Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner and Fire Marshal of Florida.
"I'm going back and will be on the floor of the Senate tonight telling the Senate exactly what has happened today," he warned. "This is not a good reflection on the Trump administration, that it is just perpetuating this policy of ripping children apart and they don't want to be held accountable."
"They know they have done wrong, they are starting to get this reminded every moment, and yet, they are now embarrassed and don't want us to check on the comfort and welfare of these children," Nelson continued. "This is absolutely ridiculous."
"I am ashamed of this administration, that they are doing this," he added.
Watch:
