Biden's key budget process may be halted by Mike Lee's efforts to end welfare for illegals.

Republicans are seeking to exclude illegal immigrants from receiving welfare and other benefits after being paroled into the US, and they plan to pass this measure through the budget reconciliation process, thereby avoiding the Senate's 60-vote legislative filibuster.

On Wednesday, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) will present the "America First Act," which modifies the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act's requirements to explicitly exclude individuals in the country unlawfully, including those granted asylum, paroled, or being withheld from deportation.

Individuals who do not meet certain eligibility requirements would not be able to receive welfare benefits, including participation in programs such as SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, CHIP, or certain housing benefits.

Reps. Chip Roy and Jodey Arrington, both from Texas, are also introducing the bill in the House of Representatives.

The legislative filibuster has led to the demise of many bills in the Senate, as it can prevent measures from passing with less than 60 votes on a cloture motion.

With a simple majority, a policy passed through budget reconciliation can be advanced by Republicans in the new Congress to prioritize President-elect Donald Trump's key initiatives.

The senator from Utah is currently negotiating to include the legislation in the upcoming budget reconciliation package, where it would serve as a "pay-for" for other items, such as border security.

The CBO's July report on the "Effects of the Immigration Surge on the Federal Budget and the Economy" was highlighted by Lee's office. According to the report, the immigration surge adds $0.3 trillion to outlays for federal mandatory programs and net spending for interest on the debt over the 2024–2034 period.

The Republican bill would further exclude these specified non-citizens from receiving various educational, healthcare, and housing benefits, disaster aid, or tax credits.

Planet Chronicle Digital did not receive a comment from the White House before the publication deadline.