Image Credit:
Canva
On Thursday, California Democrats in the State Assembly were set to advance a vote on two bills aimed at “Trump-proofing” the state. But the bills, backed by Governor Gavin Newsom, were pulled from consideration after Assemblymember Carl DeMaio and other Republicans threatened hostile amendments on the floor — successfully delaying a vote.
DeMaio, who also serves as chairman of Reform California, says that this is a major win for Republicans.
“California Democrats were so rattled by my amendments to bar funding for illegal immigrant criminals and politicians who protect them that they cancelled their vote on their reckless $50m Trump Proof bill today,” explained DeMaio. “This is what happens when the GOP fights in California on a winning issue!”
The measures in question that DeMaio is referring to aim to provide $25 million for defending illegal immigrants from deportation and $25 million for the California Attorney General’s Office to sue the Trump Administration over policy differences.
DeMaio and other Republicans in the Assembly have pointed out that the bill on illegal immigration does not prohibit funds from aiding illegal immigrant felons. Newsom’s office and Democrat lawmakers have stated that the funding is not intended to protect felons from deportation, but Newsom’s own Department of Finance could not guarantee this was the case when pressed in a hearing earlier this week.
Worse, DeMaio points to a recent letter sent to state and local officials by an attorney with the America First Legal Foundation that explains “federal law imposes serious consequences for obstructing the execution of federal immigration law.” The letter also warns that California politicians could face criminal prosecution for “concealing, harboring or shielding aliens” and could face “potential personal financial liability” under civil RICO lawsuits.
That’s why DeMaio planned to introduce two amendments “to prohibit any funds from being spent to defend criminal illegal aliens from deportation or defend state politicians who interfere with federal law enforcement.”
The latter would make it clear that no state taxpayer funds could be used to hire lawyers to defend state and local elected officials who face legal consequences for supporting sanctuary policies.
The amendments forced Newsom and Democrats to reconsider and huddle for nearly forty-five minutes, then ultimately pull the bills from the floor.
“Now, Newsom and the Democrat supermajority have to circle back on how they can win the debate of giving illegal immigrants money — a tall order after we exposed how terrible these bills would be for the state of California and rightfully concerned Californians,” explained DeMaio.
DeMaio says the battle is not over and he fully expects the bills to be reintroduced — but likely watered down.
“Republicans may be in the minority — but we can be a viable opposition if we band together and fight and win like this!” he concluded.
