Members of the Republican Study Committee introduced legislation last week to gut funding for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which provides work permits and temporary legal status for illegal immigrants as part of a critical spending bill needed to prevent another government shutdown.
With just 10 days for Congress to pass a budget before the government runs out of money, the conservative group is hoping to ax funding for some of the Obama Administration’s executive order that protects an estimated 4 million people from deportation.
“The Responsible Spending and Accountability Act would ensure that Washington lives within its means, while holding this administration accountable,” Chairman Bill Flores said in a statement. “Kicking the can down the road yet again is simply not an option.”
While the bill would reduce direct spending by $14.9 billion by 2025, the Congressional Budget Office estimates $7.5 billion would be added to the deficit if the legislation is passed.
“It is the only plan to fund the government and hold President Obama accountable that has been introduced to date,” a spokesperson from the Republican Study Committee told The Daily Caller News Foundation. “Importantly, the RSAA hews closely to the House- and Senate- passed budget, which keeps budget spending caps in place and balances within 10 years. We achieve this by including 12 appropriations bills that already conservative amendments from RSC members.”
The president attempted to expand the program in November 2014, increasing the number of years for amnesty for qualifying immigrants from two to three, removed the age cap of 31-years-old as long as the applicant meets all other requirements and allows immigrants who arrived after 2007 to apply.
It has yet to be implemented due to a Texas federal judge temporarily blocking the president’s executive action, saying he violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires administration to give more public notice before implementing legislation.
Flores said the committee should know whether leadership will take up the bill by mid-week, USA Today reports.
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