This Issue: House to return to D.C. in 10 days for possible vote on budget reconciliation

Before going through the next steps for the Democrats' budget reconciliation effort that will likely include an amnesty for millions of illegal aliens, a few more details on the Senate action earlier this week...

As you probably know by now, the Senate passed -- along party-lines -- the blueprint for its $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation effort with instructions to the Senate Judiciary Committee to draw up an amnesty for millions of illegal aliens. Until the legislative text is released (mid-September), we won't know how broad the amnesty is, but Democrats have been talking about including:

• DACA-eligible illegal aliens;
• Illegal aliens who have received Temporary Protected Status;
• Illegal farmworkers; and
• Illegal "essential" workers.

Senate Republicans did offer a few immigration-related amendments before the final vote occurred earlier this week. While we were hopeful they would offer an amendment to block all amnesties from being part of budget reconciliation, they decided to hold most of their fire for the actual bill this fall.

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) offered an amendment to provide sufficient resources to detain and deport a higher number of illegal aliens who have been convicted of a crime. The amendment passed 53-46 with Democratic Senators Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Jackie Rosen of Nevada, and Mark Kelly of Arizona voting with the Republicans in support of the amendment.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) offered an amendment to prevent amnesty for illegal aliens with criminal records. The amendment was defeated along party-lines. No Democrats supported the amendment.

The Senate also passed an amendment blocking the transportation of illegal border crossers who test positive for COVID-19 and protecting funding for ICE.

Battle shifts to the House

For the last few days, we've been sending you action alerts urging you to call your U.S. Representative. If you haven't seen the action alerts, we've also posted a phone note on your Action Board.

The House is expected to take a break from its summer recess during the week of August 23 to vote on the Senate's budget reconciliation framework. However, several moderate Democrats are demanding a vote on the infrastructure bill first. Because of this, it's imperative that you contact your U.S. Representative next week, especially if you live in a district represented by a moderate Democrat.

Should the House pass the budget reconciliation framework during its session later this month, then both Chambers will draft budget reconciliation legislation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has instructed Senate committees to wrap up their work by September 15, so a vote in the Senate on the budget reconciliation bill could come by the end of next month.

The House will likely have its own version of the budget bill, so Democrats from both Chambers will have to work out the differences should the bills pass.

Regardless, we still have an opportunity to stop amnesty from being part of the budget reconciliation process over the next two weeks. We need to apply continuous pressure in the House before they vote later this month. Please continue to watch for action alerts and check your Action Board over the next few weeks.

Chris Chmielenski NumbersUSA Deputy Director