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Video: McCaul Speaks in Support of Verify First Act

June 13, 2017

“Texans’ hard-earned dollars should not be used to foot the bill for those who broke the law to come here.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10) – Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee and a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee – spoke on the House floor in support of the Verify First Act, a bill he helped introduce with Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11), which would protect taxpayer dollars. Following the speech, the bill passed the House.

Click here to watch the speech (1:25 minutes).

Read the full transcript:

"I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2581, the Verify First Act.

I helped introduce this legislation with my good friend and colleague, Mr. Barletta from Pennsylvania, to ensure illegal immigrants are not able to use health care tax credits to purchase health insurance.

Under Obamacare, the federal government paid these tax credits up front on a temporary basis to people before verifying their immigration status.

This created a "pay and chase" system where the federal government would seek repayment only after it found it had paid out benefits to an illegal immigrant.

This bill puts an end to this taxpayer abuse by requiring the Social Security Administration or the Department of Homeland Security to verify the immigration status of every tax credit applicant before the Treasury Department issues the credit.

Texans and hard-working taxpayers around the country already struggle to pay for their health care. Their hard-earned dollars should not be used to foot the bill for those who broke the law to come here.

My constituents in Texas and American taxpayers deserve better.

I want to thank Congressman Barletta for his dedication and continued leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation."

Congressman Michael McCaul has represented the 10th District of Texas since 2005. Currently, he serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Issues:Health Care