D. P. SSI memo to Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. and S. K., June 19, 1997

с June 19, 1997 То: RLE/SK From: DP Re: Status of Supplemental Security Income for Legal Aliens The House Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee rejected Democratic amendments and approved the Chairman’s mark as amended by a party line vote, 8-3. Ways and Means passed the welfare package by a vote of 21-18 on June 10. In so doing, Ways and Means violated terms of the budget agreement concerning legal immigrants. The 1996 welfare reform law cut SSI benefits for disabled legal immigrants. CBO estimates 500,000 legal immigrants will lose SSI benefits because of the law. The budget agreement promised to “restore SSI and Medicaid eligibility for all disabled legal immigrants who are or become disabled and who entered the United States prior to Aug. 23, 1996” (the date the welfare bill was signed into law). The agreement also extended SSI benefits to legal immigrants who were in the country as of August 22, 1996 and who became disabled in the future. Chairman Clay Shaw’s proposal changed the budget agreement by allowing both elderly and disabled legal immigrants who were in the country as of August 22, 1996 to continue receiving SSI benefits. But it prohibited legal immigrants who became disabled after August 22, 1996 from receiving SSI benefits. Republicans contended the budget agreement’s language would withhold benefits from as many as 300,000 people and who would get benefits under the GOP plan. Democrats estimated the figure at about 50,000. Shaw: “SSI has become a pension plan for third-world countries.” And, There is no way I’m gonna back up on this. I am going to stick with this position come hell or high water.” OMB Director Raines informed Shaw in a letter: “we would be compelled to invoke the provisions of the agreement that call on the administration and the bipartisan leadership to undertake remedial efforts to ensure that reconciliation legislation is consistent with the agreement.” Raines did not threaten a presidential veto over the measure. The Subcommittee passed an amendment by Jim McCrery (R-LA) to deny SSI to any legal immigrant who had a sponsor earning at least $40,000 a year. Clay was willing to drop it, but McCrery insisted. Democrats argued the provision is difficult to administer, it would not save money, and it was the first time a sponsor would be required to give support indefinitely. Passed, 7-4