KAMALA Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 50
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T05:06:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Keeping Aid for Municipalities And Localities Accountable Act" (or "KAMALA Act"), aims to restrict the use of federal housing and community development grants to only U.S. nationals (citizens or those owing allegiance to the U.S.) and lawful permanent residents (green card holders). It seeks to ensure that these grants do not support individuals who are not lawfully present in the U.S., promoting accountability in how taxpayer funds are allocated for local housing and development programs.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Direct Assistance: Amends Section 105 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to bar the use of grants awarded under Section 106 (Community Development Block Grants, or CDBG) starting in fiscal year 2024 and beyond from assisting anyone who is neither a U.S. national nor a lawful permanent resident under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- Prohibition on Grants to Certain Entities: Amends Section 103 to prevent the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from awarding grants to states, units of general local government (e.g., cities or counties), or Indian tribes if they operate any housing or community development program that provides assistance to individuals who are not U.S. nationals or lawful permanent residents.
- Scope: Applies to activities funded under Title I of the 1974 Act, which includes broad community development efforts like housing rehabilitation, public facilities, and economic development.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new subsection (i) to Section 105, explicitly overriding other laws to limit CDBG fund usage based on immigration status for fiscal years 2024 onward—this is a direct restriction not previously in place for these grants.
- Adds a new subsection (b) to Section 103, restructuring it to include a "limitation" clause that conditions grant eligibility on recipients not aiding undocumented individuals in related programs. Previously, CDBG funds could be used more flexibly without such immigration-based restrictions, though some federal aid programs already have eligibility limits.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: HUD would need to enforce new compliance checks, potentially increasing administrative burdens for grant oversight and audits of local programs. States, local governments, and Indian tribes might lose funding if they continue assisting non-eligible individuals, leading to program adjustments or budget shortfalls.
- On Citizens: U.S. nationals and permanent residents could see more targeted allocation of federal funds toward their housing and community needs, potentially improving access to aid in underserved areas. However, local communities with high numbers of non-eligible residents might face reduced overall development resources.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic funding and immigration enforcement; it does not alter visa policies or foreign aid.
- Broader Effects: Could reduce support for mixed-status families or communities, indirectly affecting public health, education, and economic stability in areas with significant immigrant populations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Beneficiaries: U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents, who gain prioritized access to CDBG-funded programs.
- Excluded Groups: Individuals who are neither nationals nor permanent residents (e.g., undocumented immigrants, temporary visa holders, or asylum seekers without permanent status), who would be cut off from assistance.
- Government Entities: States, local governments, and Indian tribes as grant recipients; HUD as the administering agency.
- Other: Community organizations and nonprofits involved in housing programs, which may need to revise eligibility rules to maintain funding.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces immigration status as a criterion for federal benefits, aligning with existing laws like those under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, but expands restrictions to CDBG programs. Could lead to litigation over enforcement mechanisms or conflicts with state-level policies that provide broader aid.
- Constitutional: May raise questions under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment regarding differential treatment based on immigration status, though courts have generally upheld such distinctions for non-citizens. No direct challenge to federal spending powers is evident.
- Political: Highlights debates on immigration and fiscal accountability, potentially influencing how federal funds are viewed in partisan contexts; the bill's introduction by specific representatives signals a focus on restricting aid to undocumented populations amid broader immigration reform discussions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13]
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Keeping Aid for Municipalities And Localities Accountable Act — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (3 pages)