Speech #1030005653

Mr. Chairman. I rise in strong support of the Michel amendment to H.R. 2. because if this amendment Is not adopted. the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 could become the welfare benefits for Illegal aliens act of 1993. Major Federal welfare programs. Including aid to families with dependent children. SSI. and Medicaid. are limited to citizens and permanent resident aliens. The problem here is that the Department of Health and Human Services accepts voter registration cards as a means of establishing eligibility. If voter registration cards are issued automatically to applicants for drivers licenseswithout any verification of citizenshipthe potential for illegal aliens fraudulently applying for welfare benefits will balloon out of control. Our hardpressed States and counties. particularly in southern Califomia. cannot afford this increased burden. For example. a recent study by Los Angeles County found that recent immigrants cost the taxpayers more than $2.3 billion a year. and as HR. 2 will make it easier for illegal aliens to register to vote. and therefore to establish eligibility. it is Inevitable that this figure will skyrocket. Illegal aliens who apply for AFDC. housing assistance or any other benefit program will be given a voter registration form which will ask them to attest that they are citizens. Mr. Speaker. these illegal aliens are not going to do anything to raise suspicions about their citizenship. so of course they will say they are. They certainly arent going to decline In writing to register to vote. As a result. more illegal aliens will receive Federal benefits unlawfully. and to compound matters. they also will be registered to vote. Instead of tightening controls to make sure illegal aliens dont receive welfare benefits. we will be loosening them. The Michel amendment will prevent these abuses by requiring States to Implement procedures that prevent noncitizens from registerIng to vote. Without the ability to enforce the citizenship requirement in H.R. 2. the requirement Itself is empty and pointless. Mr.