E-Verify Amendments Added to House Appropriations Stimulus Bill

The House Appropriations Committee approved a stimulus bill on Thursday with two key amendments. Rep. Ken Calvert successfully added an amendment that would extend E-Verify for five years. Rep. Jack Kingston successfully added another amendment that would require any contractors awarded work through stimulus money to verify the employment eligibility of their workers through E-Verify.

The Appropriations Committee passed the stimulus plan by a 35-22 vote on Thursday.

In November, former President Bush signed a continuing resolution, extending E-Verify until March 6, 2009. But unless the worker verification tool administered by the Department of Homeland Security is extended, it will expire.

Rep. Calvert has already introduced H.R. 19 this year that calls for a mandatory use of E-Verify. Analysis of this bill can be found on the NumbersUSA Proposed Bills page.

Read Rep. Calvert’s press release

Read Rep. Kingston’s press release