House Judiciary Committee Continues Markup of National E-Verify Bill

The House Judiciary Committee will continue its markup today of Chairman Lamar Smith’s Legal Workforce Act, H.R.2885. The bill would require 100% of businesses to begin using E-Verify within two years as well as create several triggers that would help identify illegal aliens using fraudulent documents and/or already holding a job in the workforce.

The Committee began its markup last Thursday but only got through opening statements. Chairman Lamar Smith presented the bill with an argument that it is an easy and free way to free up jobs currently held by illegal aliens for unemployed Americans. He also said that the bill ensures that future jobs go to U.S. citizens or legal immigrants.

Immigration Subcommittee Chairman Elton Gallegly also offered his support for the bill and is among the list of 37 cosponsors. Republicans Steve King and Dan Lungren also provided opening statements.

Ranking Member John Conyers led the opposition by saying that the bill should be part of a more comprehensive approach to immigration reform, while Immigration Subcommittee Ranking Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren argued that the bill would result in lost jobs. Democrats Shelia Jackson-Lee and Linda Sanchez also provided opening statements, showing their opposition of the bill.

The Committee is expected to consider approximately 40 amendments to the legislation, but a final committee vote is expected at some point late Wednesday. 

Please call your Rep. if he/she is a Member of the House Judiciary Committee and urge clean passage of the Legal Workforce Act. The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121. A list of Judiciary Members and their direct office phone numbers is below.

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Rep. Adams, Sandy (GOP)
(202-225-2706)

Rep. Chabot, Steve (GOP)
(202-2225-3012)

Rep. Chaffetz, Jason (GOP)
(202-225-7751)

Rep. Coble, Howard (GOP)
(202-225-3065)

Rep. Forbes, Randy (GOP)

(202-225-6365)

Rep. Franks, Trent (GOP)
(202-225-4576)

Rep. Gohmert, Louie (GOP)
(202-225-3035)

Rep. Goodlatte, Robert (GOP)
(202-225-5431)

Rep. Gowdy, Trey (GOP)

(202-225-6030)

Rep. Griffin, Tim (GOP)
(202-225-2506)

Rep. Issa, Darrell (GOP)
(202-225-3906)

Rep. Jordan, Jim (GOP)
(202-225-2676)

Rep. King, Steve (GOP)
(202-225-4426)

Rep. Lungren, Dan (GOP)
(202-225-5716)

Rep. Marino, Tom (GOP)
(202-225-3731)

Rep. Pence, Mike (GOP)
(202-225-3021)

Rep. Poe, Ted (GOP)
(202-225-6565)

Rep. Quayle, Ben (GOP)
(202-225-3361)

Rep. Ross, Dennis (GOP)
(202-225-1252)

Rep. Sensenbrenner, James (GOP)
(202-225-5101)