A bill that would allow so-called ‘Dreamers’ to work as staffers or interns in Congress has been advanced through a party-line vote by the House Appropriations Committee.
The legislative branch appropriations bill will now advance to the House floor in June. It overrides current provisions, added within annual appropriations bills, barring non-citizens from working in the federal government.
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), a co-sponsor of the bill, celebrated its passage as a means to allow Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients to “contribute to our great democracy.”
You know, something they could already be doing if they took the time to become legal immigrants.
“By allowing DACA recipients to work on Capitol Hill,” Roybal-Allard stated, “we are ensuring that they have the opportunity to learn and to contribute to our great democracy and represent their communities in Congress.”
C’tee advances Legislative branch spending bill, which would allow Congress to hire DACA recipients https://t.co/IvC6UczCng
— Niv Elis (@NivElis) May 9, 2019
Regardless of Immigration Status
The text of the bill explains that “an entity may use amounts appropriated or otherwise … to pay the compensation of an officer or employee without regard to the officer’s or employee’s immigration status.”
“DACA recipients have a legal right to work in the U.S. & contribute to our economy and our communities,” chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) said. “It is well past time they be able to contribute to the business of Congress as well.”
Lowey added that the vote shows “House Democrats are leading the way to fight for the people.”
Kamala Supports, Bernie Added a Dreamer to His Campaign
A pair of 2020 candidates for president have already voiced their support for allowing DACA recipients to work in Congress.
Senator Kamala Harris lamented that these “young people are banned from giving back to their country by working for Congress.”
“That has to change,” she said. “Government works best when it reflects the people it represents.”
Perhaps banks should start hiring bank robbers.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders went a step further. He actually hired Belén Sisa, a millennial Arizona left-wing activist, to serve as his deputy national press secretary during the 2020 campaign.
Sisa can’t actually vote for her own boss … because she’s a Dreamer.
.@belensisaw has been named national deputy press secretary for @BernieSanders presidential campaign. FLASHBACK to 2016 DNC in Philly: https://t.co/RLGR0tvBHF #azpolitics
— YvonneWingettSanchez ? (@yvonnewingett) February 27, 2019
She’s a Dreamer working for Congress, and if Democrats get their way, she won’t be the only one.
