ADVOCATES URGE NO VOTE ON PUBLIC CHARGE AMENDMENT TO DHS APPROPRIATIONS BILL

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote today on legislation (HR 4367) appropriating funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for federal fiscal year 2024. The House Rules Committee has drafted a special rule for floor debate of the bill, which would make dozens of amendments in order, including an amendment that would prohibit DHS from implementing the public charge regulation finalized in December.

The Biden public charge regulation was a top regulatory priority for the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition (PIF). The reform largely restores public charge policy in place from the mid-1990s through 2019. It also adds critical protections against radical changes to public charge policy by future presidential administrations.

PIF sent a message to Democratic House offices today urging a no vote on the public charge amendment. The message, from PIF director Adriana Cadena, said in part:

“The purpose of this vote would be to halt the implementation of the common-sense Biden rule and reignite the fear and confusion that immigrant families felt under the Trump public charge rule. PIF urges a no vote on the amendment.”