June 06,2007

Baucus Comment on Hutchison Amendment

MEMORANDUM

To: Reporters and Editors

From: Carol Guthrie for Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.)

Re: Finance-related amendment to S. 1348, the Immigration Bill

Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) offered comment tonight on a Social Security-related amendment now included in the pending immigration bill. An amendment
offered by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex.) will prevent payment of Social Security benefits
based on credits earned by non-citizens while they worked illegally in the United States. The
Finance Committee has jurisdiction over the Social Security Administration.

“We expect every American citizen to pay their payroll taxes and earn their Social Security
benefits, and it’s not fair to let non-citizens earn the same benefits from work done
illegally,” Baucus said.

Despite his support for the Hutchison provision, Baucus has already announced his intention to
oppose the immigration bill as a whole. In announcing his opposition to the legislation this week,
Baucus said, “I cannot support a bill that provides amnesty for illegal immigrants. Anyone
who wants to live in this country must follow the proper process. They must go to the back of the line, learn English, take citizenship classes and pay back taxes. I don’t support the immigration bill before the Senate.”

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