H.R.50 - Keeping Aid for Municipalities And Localities Accountable Act; KAMALA Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.50, also known as the KAMALA Act, seeks to restrict the use of Housing and Community Development Act grants. Specifically, it prohibits these funds from being used to assist individuals who are not U.S. nationals or lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
The bill amends sections 105 and 103 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. It also restricts grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes that provide housing or community development assistance to those not lawfully present.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 3, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Financial Services.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill, if enacted, would be to limit access to housing and community development assistance programs. This would impact non-citizens and entities that support them. States and localities would need to verify the immigration status of individuals receiving assistance to comply with the law.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially reduces the strain on public resources by limiting assistance to citizens and legal residents.
- May incentivize stricter enforcement of immigration laws at the state and local levels.
- Could free up funds for other community development projects benefiting citizens and legal residents.
- Aligns federal funding with the principle of prioritizing citizens and legal residents for public assistance.
- May reduce incentives for unlawful immigration by limiting access to public benefits.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Could lead to increased homelessness and instability among non-citizen populations.
- May create administrative burdens for states and localities to verify immigration status.
- Could negatively impact public health and safety if non-citizens are unable to access essential services.
- May face legal challenges based on equal protection and due process concerns.
- Could damage the reputation of the U.S. as a welcoming nation for immigrants.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality could be challenged under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which prohibits states from denying any person within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. However, the Supreme Court has recognized some distinctions between citizens and non-citizens in the context of public benefits.
Congress has broad authority over immigration matters under Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 of the Constitution, which grants it the power to establish a uniform rule of naturalization. This power could be argued to support the bill's restrictions on federal funds.
The bill does not appear to infringe upon any other specific constitutional rights or provisions.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).