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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. John Galloway |
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Galloway’s E-Verify plan passes the House
HARRISBURG, June 29 – After a six-year quest, state Rep. John Galloway, D-Bucks, had his E-Verify proposal pass the state House of Representatives on Friday, and the Senate is expected to vote on it before they break for the summer.
Before the vote, Galloway amended his proposal into S.B. 637, a bill that would impact all contractors bidding on any job which requires prevailing wages. Under the amended bill, the contractor and all subcontractors on every public works project, including any state, county, municipal or school project, would be required to verify employability through the federal government’s online E-Verify system.
"This is definitely a jobs bill," Galloway said. "It keeps contractors competing on equal ground and it prevents illegal workers from taking good, family-supporting jobs from local workers."
E-Verify is a free online system by which employers can quickly determine if potential employees are eligible to work in the United States. The E-Verify system is based on Social Security numbers and can provide a very fast online proof of employability.
"For me this issue has always been about jobs. This bill would ensure that not one dime, not one penny of taxpayer dollars, will go to people who cheat and use and abuse illegal workers for profit," Galloway said. "How can we expect citizens to play by the rules, when as a government, we don’t require it of ourselves?"
The bill has been sent back to the Senate for consideration. Galloway said the chamber is expected to pass it and send it to the governor before the summer recess.
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