REP LIEU SUPPORTS ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF PATHWAY TO LEGAL STATUS FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN RECONCILIATION BILL

WASHINGTON - Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement on the inclusion of investments in undocumented essential workers in the Judiciary Committee markup of the budget reconciliation bill.

"I'm pleased to vote in support of provisions creating an opportunity to obtain legal permanent resident status for essential workers during today's Judiciary Committee markup of the reconciliation bill. I introduced the Citizenship For Essential Workers Act with Rep. Castro and Senators Padilla and Warren in recognition of the invaluable role essential workers played in keeping our economy running during the pandemic. Workers in health care, meatpacking, agriculture, public transit and other industries were on the frontlines of the pandemic, often risking their lives in order to ensure communities had necessary goods and services. These workers contribute upwards of $79.7 billion in federal taxes and $41 billion in state and local taxes annually. Providing these workers with a way to legally remain in the United States is a smart investment in our country and our budget."

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