LaLota Reintroduces Bill to Hold Sanctuary Cities Accountable
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County), released the following statement after reintroducing his No Bailouts for Sanctuary Cities Act for the 119th Congress. This Rules package, voted on last week for the 119th Congress, included language to bring top priority bills to the floor, including this legislation. LaLota, a former member of the Committee on Homeland Security, originally introduced the bill in the 118th Congress where it passed the House after receiving votes from every House Republican and 12 House Democrats.
“Sanctuary cities have chosen to defy federal immigration law, creating their own crisis. It’s unacceptable for federal taxpayers to bail them out for these reckless and misguided policies,” said Rep. Nick LaLota. “My No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act ensures that federal dollars won’t subsidize the costs of prioritizing illegal immigration over the safety and well-being of law-abiding, tax-paying citizens. This bill, which earned bipartisan support from every House Republican and 12 House Democrats last Congress, sends a clear message: there are consequences for defying the rule of law.”
To read the full text of the bill, click HERE.
Background:
The No Bailouts for Sanctuary Cities Act takes aim at ending the federal government’s pattern of throwing money at the migrant crisis without addressing its root causes. This legislation prohibits federal funding for any jurisdiction with sanctuary city policies to aid or address the migrant crisis. This includes funding for food, shelter, healthcare services, legal services, and transportation costs.
Rep. LaLota’s bill passed the House in September 2024 with bipartisan support but stalled in the Democrat-controlled Senate. In the new Congress, House Republican leadership has prioritized this legislation by including it in the recently passed House Rules Package. This package sets the procedural and legislative framework for the House over the next two years and highlights 12 priority bills, including LaLota’s No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act, for expedited floor consideration.
Since December 2024, more than 210,000 migrants have passed through New York City, including over 58,000 with criminal records. The strain on resources is undeniable. According to a recent Siena College Poll, 82% of New Yorkers view the influx of migrants as a serious problem, with over 50% calling it a very serious problem. Even Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul have conceded, “We don’t have capacity.”
In August 2024, Rep. LaLota took action by leading a letter to Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams, opposing reports of plans to use locations across New York State to house unvetted and unlawful migrants. This effort underscores his commitment to holding sanctuary cities accountable and protecting taxpayer resources.