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Ellmers re-introduces The Accountability in Foreign Aid Act
Story Date: 1/16/2015
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Source: PRESS RELEASE, 1/15/15
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement after introducing H.R. 369 – The Accountability in Foreign Aid Act:
“The situation at the border remains a serious problem. Children have crossed into our nation, are funneled through our public schools and sent to our hospitals – yet states are not given adequate financial assistance or compensation to handle this influx.”
“We have to be realistic about the repercussions of illegal immigration—it drains budgets and states are left crunching numbers with little reassurance as to when or if they will receive reimbursement; however, The Accountability in Foreign Aid Act seeks to change this by enforcing financial accountability.”
“Our states deserve a real solution to this problem, and rather than continue to supply an endless amount of foreign aid abroad, let’s redirect the funding sent overseas and instead prioritize our local governments here at home— as they are the ones truly responsible for footing the bill.”
Today, Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) re-introduced H.R. 369 – The Accountability in Foreign Aid Act. This legislation would reimburse states for funds spent on illegal immigrants with funding from foreign aid accounts. Currently states face what is, essentially, an unfunded mandate when it comes to services that must be provided to illegal immigrants.
Under this legislation, the U.S. Secretary of Treasury will establish a program for reimbursing states for expenses related to the presence of aliens who have no lawful immigration status in the United States—including anyone subject to the administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
State governments, local governments, school boards and other entities within states will be required to submit an application for reimbursement and provide documentation of the expenses. The Secretary of Treasury will determine if documentation is sufficient and if expenses are eligible. Eligible expenses include: public elementary and secondary education; incarceration and detention; emergency medical treatment; short-term, non-cash, in-kind emergency disaster relief; immunizations; programs, services, or assistance as specified by the Attorney General which are necessary for the protection of life or safety.
Reimbursements to states would be paid for by withholding 15 percent of all Department of State foreign aid accounts. This does not include USDA aid programs (such as Food for Peace), military aid to Israel or other Department of Defense aid programs. Global Health Programs are exempted from this cut, as is non-proliferation, anti-terrorism, demining and related programs.
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