National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act of 2008

NATIONAL HIGHWAY BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION AND INSPECTION ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - July 23, 2008)

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Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment to H.R. 3999, the National Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act of 2008. My amendment is very straightforward, simply stating that ``none of funds appropriated to H.R. 3999 may be used to employ workers in violation of section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act.''

The First Congressional District of Mississippi is currently staggering under the prevailing economic situation. On a daily basis, my constituents express their concerns of keeping their jobs despite the influx of foreign illegal labor into Mississippi. Portions of north Mississippi have unemployment rates that are nearly double the national average, a fact that motivated me personally come to Congress to stand up for the hardworking families of the First Congressional District.

I certainly support and am encouraged by the underlying legislation Chairman Oberstar brought to the House today, because north Mississippi desperately needs many of the infrastructure improvements included in H.R. 3999 in order to spur economic and community development. However, I am committed to ensuring that every Federal dollar that is allocated to the National Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act for employment purposes will specifically go towards employing hardworking American citizens who desperately need a consistent paycheck.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this straightforward amendment.

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