Democrats Block Murphy Amendment to Ensure Only American Citizens Receive Economic Impact Payments

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) filed an amendment to H.R. 6800, the $3 trillion spending package proposed by Democrats in the House of Representatives. The amendment would require individuals to have a valid social security number to receive an economic impact payment (EIP), commonly known as a stimulus check. However, during a hearing today in the Democrat controlled House Committee on Rules, alternatively referred to as "The Speaker's Committee," the committee refused to allow the amendment to come to the House floor for a vote.

Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, EIPs were distributed to qualifying individuals who have a social security number. However, H.R. 6800 would allow individuals who only have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to receive EIPs, which are frequently used by illegal immigrants who do not have a social security number.

The Murphy Amendment would change the qualifications for EIP recipients in H.R. 6800 back to those outlined in the CARES Act, which would require individuals to have a social security number to receive EIPs. The amendment would not incur a penalty for those who have already received EIPs under the CARES Act.

"After the $2.2 trillion CARES Act became law, I have been clear in my belief that we should study its strengths and weaknesses before passing another version of its magnitude. The Democrats' desire to allow illegal immigrants to receive EIPs is a step backward rather than an improvement. If the federal government is going to send another round of EIPs, then it's simply common sense that hard-earned taxpayer dollars should only be distributed to Americans," said Murphy.

"I believe every member of the House of Representatives should be on the record about whether or not they believe illegal immigrants should receive direct payments in federal money. It's a shame Democrats would not allow such a vote to take place and just goes to show that their open borders policies have no bounds. Thankfully, this piece of legislation in its current form would not pass the Senate, and I look forward to voting against it should it come to the House floor tomorrow."