FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              CONTACT: John Donnelly
July 8, 2009                                                                                                       (202) 225-2276

Burton's Bid To Block Welfare For Illegal Immigrants Stymied By Democrats Proposed Amendment To Ag Appropriations Bill Would Have Blocked Attempts To Provide Food Stamps To Illegal Immigrants

WASHINGTON, D.C. - With the House set to consider the 2010 Agriculture, FDA, and Rural Development Appropriations bill this week, Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN) introduced an amendment that would have blocked any attempt to extend food stamp benefits to illegal immigrants. Late Tuesday evening, the Democrat-controlled Rules Committee blocked the amendment from any consideration. Rep. Burton issued the following statement after the ruling:

"The amendment I submitted to the Rules Committee was a blocking measure to assure the American people that their tax dollars wouldn't be spent on food stamps for illegal immigrants. At an immigration reform meeting on June 25th, President Obama made it crystal clear that amnesty remains a top priority for his administration. Given the track record of radicalism we have seen over the last 6 months, it just makes sense to try to be ahead of the curve and thwart any attempts at extending welfare to illegal immigrants. The Democrats on the Rules Committee quickly sidelined my amendment, which could be a discouraging indicator of things to come."

Background:

Text of the Burton Amendment to HR 2997, the Agriculture Appropriations bill:

None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to provide benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (the former food stamp program) to an individual who is ineligible to receive such benefits.

BusinessWeek: "Obama kicks off immigration reform talks"

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