[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONGRATULATING PRESIDENT ON IMPOSING PUBLIC CHARGE RULE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2019, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman) is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
  Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to address and congratulate 
President Trump on imposing the public charge rule with regard to 
public benefits.
  You know, around here, we get along on many different items 
bipartisan in nature, and I enjoy working with my Democratic 
colleagues. But one issue that I think is at the crux of the 
disagreement and dislike of President Trump is something I agree with 
him very strongly on, and I think all the American public ought to know 
about it, and that is something referred to as the public charge rule.
  Ever since the 1800s in this country, we have tried to make it a 
point that people who come here from other countries not come here and 
wind up on public benefits or welfare or what have you.
  Unfortunately, we weren't doing a very good job of enforcing this 
rule until President Trump stepped up and put a rule that went into 
effect last October, saying that if you are here as an immigrant, you 
are not eligible for food stamps; you are not eligible for low-income 
housing; you are not eligible for Medicaid; you are not eligible for 
other means-based benefits.
  President Trump, having a soft heart, continues to allow immigrants, 
immigrant children, to receive free and reduced lunch, Medicaid, and 
even are eligible for student loans.
  Nevertheless, I think it was a very good thing for President Trump to 
do. Our immigrants are the future of America.
  Right now, in America, our immigrants are far more likely than the 
native-born to take advantage of public benefits. A study shows that 63 
percent of noncitizens versus 35 percent of the native-born are on some 
form of public benefits. With regard to food assistance, 45 percent of 
the immigrants, compared to 21 percent of the native-born, are on 
public benefits.
  Well, anybody can go through a tough time. And I should point out 
that President Trump does not remove your ability to stay here, just to 
be on public benefits for a month. It has to be for a period of several 
months, and once you are on those benefits, we want you removed.
  The reason for that is, for the future of America, we want people who 
are self-reliant and paying taxes. We already take care of our native-
born who, to a huge degree, for whatever reason, have to rely on our 
fellow citizens.
  Right now, we are in a position in which a much higher percentage of 
people--63 percent of noncitizens versus 35 percent of native-born--are 
taking advantage of some benefits.
  If you look at food stamps, between 2004 and 2019, the total number 
of people on food stamps in this country went up 50 percent. That is a 
huge increase. It is particularly a huge increase if you take into 
account the economy in 2019 was about as strong as it is going to get.
  I, therefore, applaud President Trump for stepping up to the plate 
and trying to restrict immigration to people who can take care of 
themselves, all the while making sure that we are taking care of the 
children of people who are here.
  I also want to point out that people who are here illegally should 
not be eligible for those benefits. But, again and again, I hear people 
from my district, and I think from public comments made by people--like 
the Governor of California or the mayor of New York--that I don't 
believe local officials are at all times prohibiting people who are 
here illegally from getting benefits.

  In any event, particularly as long as we have birthright citizenship, 
I think the policy before Trump got here is misguided and, ultimately, 
will lead to a decline in the quality of life in America.
  I am, therefore, very glad that the Supreme Court allowed President 
Trump's rule to be upheld. But we have to caution America in that this 
is not a statutory thing. This is not something that has passed 
Congress.
  The only reason we are trying to hold down the number of people who 
are here who are not citizens from getting benefits is President Trump. 
It could easily be true that by this time next year, we will go back to 
the days in which a high number of noncitizens are taking advantage of 
public benefits.
  Like I said, I think for some people, the generosity of the public 
benefits will encourage people to adapt a lifestyle in which they are 
eligible for them, which is a real crime.
  In any event, I would like to say one more time--I don't always get 
invited over to the White House, in case President Trump is watching--
thank you, President Trump, at a time of trillion-dollar deficits, for 
stepping up to the plate and trying to improve the immigrants that we 
have coming in the country.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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