HARRISBURG – Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) voted today in favor of a measure that would require proof of United States citizenship for any individual applying for public assistance.
Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Sen. Patrick Stefano, is part of the ongoing effort in the Senate to reform the state’s welfare programs.
Argall said maintaining the integrity of state programs is vital, especially for the second largest expenditure in the state budget.
“Last year, the Department of Public Welfare received $11.4 billion, just shy of Education’s budget at $11.6 billion,” Argall said. “The people I represent do not want their hard-earned tax dollars paying for an individual living in this country illegally.”
Under Stefano’s legislation, grants and loans from the state and local governments are also included as public benefits.
The legislation cleared the Senate by a vote of 40-8. The proposal now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.