WATCH: Illinois congresswoman OK withholding federal tax funds to change state policy

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – An Illinois congresswoman says she’s OK with plans of withholding federal tax dollars from Illinois if it brings about policy change.

Illinois U.S. Rep. Mary Miller said she is very proud of a provision in recent federal law concerning who is eligible for food subsidies.

“If you are not an American citizen, you cannot be participating in [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] benefits, for one thing, or Medicaid for that, which J.B. Pritzker has rolled out the red carpet for that he is giving them every benefit that should be afforded only to American citizens,” Miller told The Center Square.

Democrats decry such policies and say the Trump administration is cutting benefits to give tax breaks to the wealthy.

Miller said she’s going to push for withholding more funds.

“I’ve got a bill that I’m sorry to say is going to cut federal funding for highways to any states that are issuing driver’s licenses to illegal aliens,” Miller said Wednesday.

Through the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, Illinois provides undocumented residents with a standard ID card, not a federally recognized REAL ID card.

Miller said there’s a reason why Republicans are using the power of the purse to change Democratic policies.

“They care about power and they care about money. But the money gives them the power to do, to implement their agenda. And what we’re saying is you have to get in line with this, particularly federal laws, or we are going to withhold said federal funding,” Miller said.

The Trump administration also aims to withhold federal tax funds from jurisdictions like Illinois that have cashless bail policies.