Ted Cruz calls for Covid relief bill amendment to stop illegal immigrants from getting $1,400 stimulus checks
SENATOR Ted Cruz said he is in favor of the amendment of the Covid relief bill that would prevent illegal immigrants from getting $1,400 stimulus checks.
It comes as Senate passed President Joe Biden’s massive Covid-19 relief bill paving the way for $1,400 stimulus checks to most Americans.
In a statement to Breitbart News on Friday, Cruz said, “Not only does this COVID bill fail to address the real needs of the American people who are suffering, but it hands out billions in taxpayer dollars to illegal immigrants.”
“Congress should come together to pass my amendment to stop this,” he continued, adding, “We need to stand for the American people, get our kids back to school, and reopen our small businesses.”
According to the report, in its current form, “the package could allow illegal aliens to secure subsidies for COBRA healthcare premiums.”
Earlier today senators reached a compromise with Republicans on unemployment benefits and approved the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill on a 50-49 party-line vote.
“This nation has suffered too much for much too long,” Joe Biden said after the vote.
“And everything in this package is designed to relieve the suffering and to meet the most urgent needs of the nation, and put us in a better position to prevail.”
The bill will also need to be approved by the House next week so lawmakers can send it to Biden for his signature.
The Senate had been in session since 9am yesterday.
The chamber is divided 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris’ tiebreaking vote their only edge, and Republicans are arrayed against the legislation.
Anyone earning up to $75,000 a year is set to receive the full $1400 but those who earn between $75,000 and $80,000 will be entitled to less.
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An attempt to raise the minimum wage to $15 fell short earlier yesterday, and Democrats had earlier modified the bill to steer more aid to smaller states and cities.
The version passed by the House last Saturday calls for $400 per week in jobless benefits through August 29, on top of state benefits, to help struggling Americans.
Democrats hope to get it to Biden to sign into law before some current benefits expire on March 14.