Republicans adopt a symbolic measure against the vote of non-citizens

Republicans in the House on Wednesday adopted a symbolic resolution against the granting of voting rights to undocumented migrants.

The measure, basically a protest against a handful of cities that were looking to allowing undocumented voters to vote in some local elections, could give Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), majority leader in the House, some coverage with the intransigent immigration within his caucus .

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A few minutes before the vote on the resolution, the House adopted an expenditure program that will fund the Pentagon and the departments of Labor, Health and Education. However, the $ 852-billion spending measure does not include funding for President Donald Trump's border wall, an issue that Republican leaders do not intend to settle before the end of the mandate.

With the resignation of President Paul Ryan at the end of the year, McCarthy is positioning himself as a Republican leader, but he will face competition from Steve Scalise (R-La.) And Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) , majority. both maintain a more conservative profile.

"He has a potentially competitive race," said Matt Mackowiak, Texas-based Republican consultant. "He obviously tries to balance the competing power centers within the conference."

At a press conference Wednesday morning, McCarthy adopted a hawkish tone on immigration, mocking a "new move that is taking place in the country to allow illegals to vote during our elections, depriving Americans of their rights. "

He echoed this sentiment in his remarks to the House later in the day and called San Francisco and other cities for approving measures that would allow undocumented migrants to vote in some local elections.

"If you are a US citizen in one of these cities, your vote in local elections counts less now than before," he said. "You can thank your local politicians for that."

The resolution specifically refers to a law approved by San Francisco voters that allows undocumented voters to vote in school board elections. The resolution states that the participation of undocumented migrants diminishes the voting power of citizens.

Only citizens can vote in federal elections. After the 2016 presidential election, Trump claims, without proof, that he would have won the popular vote if it is for "millions of people who voted illegally".

Rep. Jerry Nadler (DN.Y.), a member of the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives, described the resolution as "a simple bald political coup concocted by the majority in an attempt to raise its political base before the mid-term elections. . "The measure passed with 279 in favor, 72 opposing and 69" present "voters – basically not taking sides.

The spending package drew less opposition, passing 361-61.

The president said Wednesday afternoon that he would sign the spending bill, thus avoiding the closure of the government he had threatened at the gates of the November elections. Trump last week called the bill "ridiculous" in a tweet, and speculated that Republicans might not be able to afford money for a border wall after midterms.

Rachael Bade contributed to this report.