The U.S. Senate on Thursday night (4) approved a Republican amendment to block illegal immigrants from receiving bailout checks. It was part of a marathon “vote-a-rama” in the Senate.
The Senate passed the amendment by a vote of 58 to 42. Eight Democrats joined Republicans in voting for the amendment.
The amendment, sponsored by Republican Senators Todd Young and Tom Cotton, prohibits any direct relief payments to immigrants who are in the United States illegally.
Economic Impact Payment is for Americans struggling to survive during the coronavirus pandemic, not for those who are in our country illegally,” Young said. Our amendment will ensure that people who violate our immigration laws will not receive taxpayer-funded relief.”
To date, the federal government has passed two rounds of bailout checks, last spring and in December.
Neither round of checks included illegal immigrants. President Biden has asked for another round of bailout checks to be passed, giving $1,400 each to certain Americans, but has not asked to include illegal immigrants.
Those bailouts have been given to Americans and immigrants with Social Security numbers. Immigrants need a Social Security number to work legally in the United States. But it does not include illegal immigrants who can only apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Some House Democrats have introduced bills to include ITIN applicants. Others have proposed measures such as issuing debit cards to “every person” in the United States.
The amendment blocks legislation that would “allow illegal immigrants to receive economic impact grants” or allow them to receive “any other similar, tax-based, temporary direct financial assistance.
Although the amendment is non-binding, it was welcomed by immigration hawks.
RJ Hauman, director of government relations for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said, “We are encouraged to see that a handful of Democrats have finally decided to focus on Americans’ concerns about immigration, rather than the radical wing of their party.”
Other amendments that either passed or failed in the marathon “back-to-back votes” in the Senate include
An amendment to keep the U.S. Embassy in Israel in Jerusalem passed by a vote of 97 to 3.
Amendments to support the border wall and freedom of religion failed, both by a vote of 50 to 50.
The amendment to defund the police passed by a vote of 100 to 0.
An amendment to “pack the supreme court” failed, by a vote of 50 to 50.
An amendment opposing the issuance of relief checks to inmates in prison also failed, with the same vote as above.
An amendment opposing the Biden Administration‘s proposal to restrict oil and gas leasing on federal lands also failed, with the same vote.
An amendment opposing a federal carbon tax also failed, with the same vote as above.
An amendment supporting the expansion of health savings accounts passed by a vote of 53 to 47.
A final Democratic amendment offered by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) rescinded three Republican amendments, including one opposing relief checks for illegal immigrants. Vice President Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) cast the deciding vote to break the tie.
The Senate ultimately passed a budget resolution on Epidemic relief by a vote of 51 to 50, with Kamala casting the tie-breaking vote.
This is not a final bill, but allows the Senate to go ahead and pass a final bill under budget reconciliation rules. The rules would allow Democrats to pass an epidemic stimulus plan while their caucus remains united and bypass Republican lawmakers who blocked the proceedings.
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