California Democrats are working to advance another bill aimed at providing benefits to illegal immigrants, but Republican lawmakers are pushing to block the new bill.
“It’s insulting that California Democrats are even considering expanding unemployment benefits to illegal immigrants,” Senate Majority Leader Brian Jones said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Under the Newsom administration, the unemployment insurance fund is already broke with a $20 BILLION deficit. We cannot afford to expand benefits to those here illegally.”
In a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom, Jones explained that the Employment Development Department (EDD) is still recovering from its shortcomings in managing the overwhelming demand for benefits following the COVID-19 shutdowns.
SB 227, introduced by Democratic Senator María Elena Durazo, would require the EDD to develop a detailed plan to establish a permanent Excluded Workers Program to provide cash assistance that resembles unemployment insurance benefits to unemployed workers who are ineligible for unemployment insurance due to their immigration status.
NEWSOM VETOES CONTROVERSIAL BILL THAT WOULD HAVE GIVEN HOUSING LOANS TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
A Border Patrol vehicle sits near border walls separating Tijuana, Mexico, from the United States, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in San Diego. President Joe Biden has unveiled plans to enact immediate significant restrictions on migrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border as the White House tries to neutralize immigration as a political liability ahead of the November elections. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Jones mentioned that not only is the EDD still recovering from COVID-19, they are also dealing with its failure to prevent tens of billions of dollars in fraudulent unemployment claims.
“Until the EDD demonstrates it has effective systems and procedures to ensure timely benefits and prevent fraud, it should not be tasked with new responsibilities and costs,” Jones continued.
Jones also stated that…
