Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Mike Johnson (LA-04) and Congressman Troy Nehls (TX-22), along with 10 others, introduced a Resolution of Disapproval on President Biden’s newly announced “public charge” rule. The new rule would dramatically scale back the number of benefits immigrants can use that would be held against them when applying for permanent residency in the United States.

The Trump administration defined "public charge" as an immigrant who receives one or more designated public benefits for more than 12 months within a 36-month period. The former administration rightfully included Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or food stamps, housing vouchers, and Medicaid as benefits that would disqualify an immigrant from receiving a green card. 

“We have millions of our own American citizens without health insurance and receiving SNAP benefits, as well as hundreds of thousands sleeping on the streets at night. Instead of making it a priority to find our own citizens homes, meals, and health insurance, Joe Biden continues to exacerbate the issue,” said Congressman Nehls. “President Trump had it right. His rule protected states and American taxpayers from burdensome costs and promoted self-sufficiency among incoming foreign nationals. It’s time Biden starts putting Americans first.”

The new public charge rule is not set to go into effect until December 2022. The Resolution of Disapproval would prevent the rule from having any force or effect.

The resolution was cosponsored by Representatives Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04), Ralph Norman (R-SC-04), Tom Tiffany (R-WI-07), Randy Weber (R-TX-14), Tom McClintock (R-CA-04), Ken Buck (R-CO-04), Darrell Issa (R-CA-50), Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Brian Babin (R-TX-36), and Louie Gohmert (R-TX-01).