WASHINGTON – Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) last night successfully offered a measure on the House floor that helps ensure illegal immigrants cannot access federal housing assistance intended for low-income citizens.

Capito's measure was offered and approved as a motion to recommit to the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (H.R. 1851).  The motion required anyone receiving federal housing assistance through the Section 8 program to prove their legal residency through the use of secure forms of identification.  Capito’s motion was agreed to by a bipartisan vote of 233-186.

"Loopholes in current law, like this housing assistance loophole for illegal immigrants, act as a magnet and invite people to enter our country illegally," Capito said.  "We should not be rewarding those who have come here illegally by awarding them taxpayer-funded services intended for law-abiding citizens."

A motion to recommit is a procedural move used at the last minute to amend legislation prior to it being voted on.   

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