Contact Congress about S. 62: America First Act
Many non-citizens could lose access to federal help for health care, food, housing, school, disaster aid, and taxes. Agencies would have to check immigration status before giving some benefits.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
America First Act is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Latest action on S. 62: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects non-citizens who receive or seek federal help, including some people who are lawfully present now. It also affects mixed-status families, children in food and early education programs, health clinics, schools, housing providers, states, local governments, and nonprofits that use federal funds.
Why this matters: This bill matters because it would change who can get basic federal help in daily life. People could see changes in doctor visits, rent help, food support, school meals, college aid, disaster help, and tax refunds. Local agencies and nonprofits would also have to spend more time checking status and tracking how federal money is used.
Key provisions in S. 62
- The bill would make fewer non-citizens eligible for federal public benefits. It does this by narrowing the term “qualified alien” in the 1996 welfare law.
- States would have to check a person’s immigration status with the Department of Homeland Security before giving certain benefits. They could not pay benefits until the check is done, and the temporary review period would last no more than 30 days.
- Some children could lose Head Start, WIC, or free or reduced-price school meals. This would apply if the child is not a U.S. citizen or refugee and a parent is in a listed group, such as unlawful presence, asylum, parole, Temporary Protected Status, DACA-type deferred action, or withholding of removal.
- People with parole, asylum, Temporary Protected Status, DACA-type deferred action, or withholding of removal would not count as lawfully present for full Medicaid. They also could not receive Medicare entitlement.
- Those same groups could not get Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, lower out-of-pocket cost help, related subsidies, certain basic health programs, or exchange coverage.
How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 62
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about S. 62
- What is S. 62?
- Many non-citizens could lose access to federal help for health care, food, housing, school, disaster aid, and taxes. Agencies would have to check immigration status before giving some benefits.
- How do I support or oppose S. 62?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about S. 62?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain S. 62 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
