(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) has reintroduced the Safeguarding Benefits for Americans Act. This legislation would strengthen social safety net programs and ensure their availability for U.S. citizens by preventing non-citizens from receiving federal welfare benefits, including Social Security and Medicare, by establishing strict verification measures, requiring benefit-administering entities to verify individuals through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Social Security Administration (SSA).
It is estimated that this legislation would save taxpayers $125 billion in the first year alone, doubling the estimated $60 billion in savings when the legislation was previously introduced. The sharp increase in projected savings reflects the long-term damage caused by the Biden administration’s open-border policies, which significantly expanded improper access to taxpayer-funded benefits.
This bill is cosponsored by Representatives Lauren Bobert (R-CO), Nancy Mace (R-SC), and Scott Perry (R-PA).
“Under the previous administration, President Biden pursued a reckless open-border agenda that resulted in 8.7 million illegal border crossings nationwide,” said Congressman Grothman.“The scale of illegal immigration exceeded the population of 36 states and overwhelmed Border Patrol, American cities, and local communities, while putting American citizens at risk.
“When I first introduced this legislation, it was estimated to save taxpayers about $60 billion. Today, after years of failed Biden-era border policies, that number has doubled to $125 billion, which shows how badly the system was mismanaged and how much this commonsense policy fix is needed.
“Now, under President Trump’s leadership, Congress has an opportunity to reverse that damage by protecting benefits for U.S. citizens, restoring integrity to our immigration system, and ensuring the safety net remains a hand up, not a handout.”
“The ‘Safeguarding Benefits for Americans Act’ would save over $125 billion in the first year by ending noncitizen access to welfare, according to our research. Representative Grothman’s bill provides a better long-term strategy to support immigrant self-sufficiency and protect taxpayers than any other alternative. It’s high time that the government build a big beautiful wall around the welfare state.” – Alex Nowrasteh Senior Vice President for Policy, Cato Institute
