After several failed attempts, House Democrats finally completed the first step to passing what could be the largest illegal alien amnesty in U.S. history this morning by approving H.R. 5376, Pres. Biden's Build Back Better legislation.
Click here to read all the details in the House version of H.R. 5376. In summary, the bill would:
- Grant work permits and legal status, called "parole," to an estimated 8 million illegal aliens
- "Recapture" and issue an estimated 630,000 so-called "unused" green cards dating all the way back to 1992 above and beyond current annual numerical limits
- "Recapture" and issue Visa Lottery green cards that went unused because of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Allow hundreds of thousands of aliens with approved green card petitions to adjust their status above and beyond numerical limits
In addition to the mass amnesty, our Capitol Hill Team conservatively estimates that the bill would result in about 1 million additional green cards over the next 10 years.
Despite about a dozen moderates expressing concerns over the immigration provisions, among other things, the amnesty bill passed with support from all House Democrats except Rep. Jared Golden of Maine.
As expected, no House Republicans supported the legislation. Notably, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy forced Speaker Nancy Pelosi to delay the vote after delivering an 8-hour floor speech last night and into this morning, highlighting some of the immigration provisions.
WHAT NOW?
Senate leaders have signaled that they expect to make significant changes to the House-passed legislation, and if it passes, would require the House to vote on the Senate version.
Senate Democratic Leaders will also have to ensure that their version of the legislation complies with Senate rules since they're using the budget reconciliation process to avoid a filibuster from Senate Republicans.
The Senate may not be able to take up the Build Back Better bill immediately since it faces a few deadlines following next week's Thanksgiving recess. First, it must pass a spending bill by Dec. 3 to avoid a government shutdown. Second, it must consider raising the debt ceiling as soon as Dec. 15. But today's House action will apply some pressure on the Senate to move forward on the budget reconciliation bill after tabling it for the last week or so.
CHRIS CHMIELENSKI is the Deputy Director for NumbersUSA
