On the recordSeptember 6, 2017
This is an E-Verify amendment. It was offered in the previous segment of this appropriation bill as well. What it does, it just simply reinstates and clarifies Federal law, the requirement to use E-Verify in the forms of all Federal contracting. Under this T-HUD bill, that is what would apply. We have run into cases where there has been, let's say, concerns that the Federal agencies are not uniformly and consistently abiding by Federal law. This says that the funds will not be used for new hires, unless they are verified through the E-Verify program. The E-Verify program--we worked this now for quite a few years, brought to us by Ken Calvert of California--even though in its early days it hit a couple of bumps in the road, it has gotten better and better. We use it, I have used it, it is efficient, and it is not time- consuming at all. This reiterates Federal law. In fact, the Federal Acquisition Regulation Act of 2009 reinforces and requires that compliance be there for new hires, and to use E-Verify on all new hires affected by this appropriations bill. Mr. Chairman, I urge this adoption, and I reserve the balance of my time.
