February 2nd
This week in MORE POWER:
Bipartisanship Revived in a Tax Bill
Immigration Bills Moving to the Senate
Mayorkas Impeachment
Government Funding Update
Security Supplemental Update
Bipartisanship Revived in a Tax Bill
January 29 is the first day that Americans can file their 2023 income tax returns. The bipartisan Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act would change tax law to expand low-income families’ access to the Child Tax Credit and add more deductions for businesses, and it would apply retroactively to last year. But the bill is in jeopardy in both chambers.
Hard-right conservatives are against it because of “tax credits basically going to children of illegal aliens,” according to Rep. Chip Roy, (R-TX). House Republican leadership has signaled a vote on the bill next week. It will need support from two-thirds of members to pass. The Senate is watching the House proceedings, and it has slowed a vote on the bill. Have a view on this that you would like to share?
Immigration Bills Moving to the Senate
This week, the House passed several immigration bills that are headed to the Senate next.
The Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act would make it so that if a non-U.S. national does something illegal with Social Security or identification documents, they can be deported or refused entry into the country.
The Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act makes driving while intoxicated or impaired grounds for preventing a non-U.S. national from admission into the United States or deporting the individual.
The No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act deems that non-U.S. nationals affiliated with terrorist groups like Palestinian Islamic Jihad or Hamas, or involved in the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, may face immigration penalties, including a ban on entering the United States, and a ban on seeking asylum. It also extends the ban on members of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) from coming to the U.S.
The Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act is named in honor of former Border Patrol Agent Raul Gonzalez, Jr., who died in 2022 following a vehicle crash resulting from pursuing undocumented migrants. This bill would impose criminal and immigration penalties for migrants who intentionally flee from pursuing federal officials while operating motor vehicles.
You can use the links above to read about the bills and take action or use the button below to sign in and talk to your Senator about all of them.
Mayorkas Impeachment
The House Homeland Security Committee voted on party lines to send impeachment articles against the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkes to the House for a full vote, citing that his office under the direction of the Biden administration has wilfully violated federal immigration laws. However, Democrats, constitutional scholars, and at least one Republican representative argue that the allegations fall short of the impeachment threshold. Republicans hold a slim majority in the House, so in order to avoid embarrassment and garner enough votes to send the impeachment to the Senate, they need perfect attendance and to win over detractors.
This would be the first impeachment of a cabinet member in 150 years and only the second in history. Mayorkes is the first immigrant and first Latino to serve in this role, responsible for immigration and domestic security.
Security Supplemental Update
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that the Senate will vote on a national security supplemental bill next week, featuring a bipartisan agreement expected to include further aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, along with funding for border security and the implementation of new policies, such as mandatory border shutdown authority if daily crossings exceed 5,000 people in one day, and asylum reforms. Schumer intends to make the agreement's text public by Sunday at the latest, planning for a vote no later than Wednesday to allow sufficient time for members to review the bill.
Government Funding Update
The continuing resolutions in place to temporarily avoid a government shutdown while lawmakers work out a long term deal end early next month. Government funding for Agriculture, Military Construction-VA, Transportation-HUD, and Energy and Water run out on March 1, and funding for Commerce, Justice, Science, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, Financial Services and General Government, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, Foreign Operations, Department of the Interior, Environment, and the Legislative Branch expire on March 8.
Funding for the Federal Aviation Administration is also scheduled to end on March 8. The Senate is scheduled to be on recess for two weeks after next week. You can use the links above to read about each bill and take action or log in to contact your rep.
What Congress Passed This Week
Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act
Overtime Pay for Protective Services Act of 2023.
What POTUS Signed Into Law This Week
Nothing, but he has the two above bills on his desk to sign when he’s ready.
