Speech #1010043815

The Congress enacted a good law when it required the verification of status for certain entitlement programs and authorized the systematic alien verfication to be eligible for entitlement programs. This was better known as the SAVE Program. However. these steps contained in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 can only be as effective as the Interpretations of the various underlying benefit statutes. This amendment will make it clear that unless expressly authorized by the Immigration and Nationality Act. or required by the Constitution. direct Federal financial benefits will not be paid to illegal aliens. I expect the opponents of this legislatioti to ask for sympathy for the illegal aliens who have come to depend on the generosity of Uncle Sam. They will certainly cite some compelling stories about illegal aliens in unfortunate situations. I am not unsympathetic. However. there are stories as dire and compelling among our own citizens as well. When our Nation faces $150 billion budget deficits and the tight constraints of the GrammRudman law. Federal dollars paid to an illegal alien. sympathetic or otherwise. are literally dollars taken away from our own citizens. This legislation gives the Congress an opportunity to set the record straight and destroy the international folklore of Uncle Sams deep pockets. This measure is both a means to control illegal immigration and means to control budget deficits. Without the real or perceived attraction to Federal benefits. illegal immigration will be deterred. Without the seepage of benefits away from intended beneficiaries. money will be saved. Simply put. Mr. President. this amendment states that Federal benefits should not go to those who are in the United States illegally. If my colleagues feel as I do. that taxpayers dollars should not go to illegal aliens. I ask them to join me in support of this amendment. I thank the Chair and reserve the remainder of my time.