Democrats and Republicans in the Senate’s Gang of Eight were divided over an amendment that would deny Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) benefits to illegal immigrants who would receive temporary legal statuts under their amnesty bill. The amendment failed to pass the Judiciary Committee on Monday, as 10 Democrats voted against it while 8 Republicans voted for it.
As the The Hill notes, Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) opposed the amendment, which Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) sponsored, while Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) supported the measure.
According to reports, at least 11 million illegal immigrants would receive the “Registered Provisional Immigrant Status (RPI)” status under the bill and qualify for the EITC once they receive the temporary status.
“This would grant such benefits to millions and be a substantial burden on our country’s finances at a time we’re desperately trying to reduce our deficits,” Sessions said.
According to The Hill, “a low-income family with two kids can receive up to $5,372 in credit, sometimes exceeding the amount it pays in taxes.”
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