Washington – Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Tuesday joined a Democratic colleague on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, in introducing legislation that would block the Trump administration’s “public charge” rule.
That rule, which will be implemented on Oct. 15, would deny entry or green cards to immigrants based on their use of public assistance programs like food stamps and Medicaid.
That’s a change from how the federal government has historically defined a “public charge,” which is someone who is largely dependent on government aid.
“Neither of us would be here if this rule existed when we were born,” said Blumenthal, whose father was an immigrant to the United States, of himself and Hirono.
Hirono said the bill, called the Protect America Values Act, has 27 Senate co-sponsors.
Still, the bill will have a tough time advancing in the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans who largely back the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Sixteen states have sued to block implementation of the new public charge rule.
In a joint lawsuit with New York and Vermont, Connecticut said the new definition of a public charge is unconstitutional and would hurt the state financially by depriving it of federal dollars for social programs like Medicaid and food stamps and force the state to spend its own money to help immigrants in need.
Why is it so important to have people come to the US and then force American citizens to pay for them with welfare, medical care, food stamps, and other benefits? I don’t understand Sen. Blumenthal.
Amazing, isn’t it? The United Nations has, for years and years, functioned as the international refugee program with charitable organizations such as the World Council of Churches, Catholic Charities, Jewish Charities, and various other church and charitable organizations acting as sponsors once the refugees has been vetted by our State Department. They can find individuals/organizations to receive the refugee and help them to adjust to their new life in the U.S.A. WHO IS LISTENING? THERE IS A SYSTEM! USE IT! Outside this system, if you want to sponsor a relative, etc., you have to guarantee this person’s financial and medical expenses. This was enacted to eliminate refugees being left alone on the street and/or unpaid bills in hospitals, etc.
Why don’t you worry about the citizens that elected you? Why don’t you worry about the ones that are paying the taxes that you spend so easily? Why don’t you stop putting more burdens on the working families that are struggling in Connecticut and the rest of the US. We cannot afford to give them free benefits when we are not even getting it free? Are you kidding me? You are not fulfilling you oath of office to support the citizens of THIS country.