Two Democratic lawmakers are pushing to expand access to healthcare, food assistance and other public benefits for legal immigrants.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington and Rep. Rob Menendez of New Jersey have introduced the LIFT the BAR Act, legislation aimed at removing federal restrictions that prevent many lawfully present immigrants from accessing public assistance programs.
Announcing the legislation on X, Jayapal said the bill would address what she described as unfair barriers that have existed for decades.
“I’m excited to share that @RepMenendez and I are introducing LIFT the BAR, legislation that would remove arbitrary barriers for lawfully present immigrants to be eligible for critical programs like healthcare and food assistance, which they pay into with their tax dollars,” she wrote.
The legislation targets restrictions stemming from welfare reforms enacted in 1996. Under current law, many legal permanent residents and other lawfully present immigrants must wait years before becoming eligible for certain federal assistance programs.
In a video posted alongside her announcement, Jayapal said the bill seeks to eliminate that waiting period and ensure immigrants who contribute to the country can access the same support systems available to many other residents.
READ: Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal says immigrant families are living in growing fear (May 19, 2026)
“I’m Pramila Jayapal and I’m so excited to be here with my colleague from New Jersey, Congressman Rob Menendez, who is co-leading this bill with me called Lift the Bar,” Jayapal said.
“And the reason that this is so important to us and we wanted to talk to you about it is because there was this weird provision put in way back in 1996 that said that even if you were a legal permanent resident, for five years you would not be eligible for any benefits.”
She said the policy has prevented many families from accessing healthcare and other essential services despite paying taxes and meeting the responsibilities expected of legal residents.
“And this has meant that people have not been able to get health benefits, children’s health benefits, all kinds of things that they should be able to get because they’re paying taxes, they’re doing all the things that we want people to do,” she said.
Jayapal also linked the proposal to broader concerns about healthcare affordability in the United States, arguing that recent Republican-backed policies have made it harder for many families to maintain coverage.
“On top of that, the Republicans just introduced their big bad betrayal bill, cut health care even more,” she said.
Menendez, who is co-leading the legislation, said the measure is rooted in fairness for immigrants who contribute to the nation’s economy and public systems.
“This bill is so critically important because immigrants pay into our tax system every single day. They should have access to the same benefits that so many of us do, so they have access to the health care systems that we do,” Menendez said.
“It’s about fairness and treating our neighbors with dignity and respect, something the congresswoman has been a leader on.”
READ: Rep. Pramila Jayapal introduces tax plan targeting ultra-wealthy (April 17, 2026)
He added, “I’m so thankful I get to join her on this bill.”
The proposal comes as lawmakers continue debating the future of Medicaid, Affordable Care Act subsidies and other programs that millions of Americans rely on for healthcare.
Jayapal said she believes the current political climate could create an opportunity for the legislation to gain support, citing rising healthcare costs and growing affordability concerns across the country.
“Well this is a moment where we actually think we can get it done because health care has collapsed for everyone across the country and more and more we are seeing people not be able to afford their health insurance premiums because Republicans wouldn’t extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, they slashed Medicaid,” she said.
She concluded by rejecting claims that immigrants are responsible for economic challenges facing American families and argued that legal immigrants should be fully included in the country’s support systems.
“Remember, it is not immigrants who are taking away your jobs and who are making your groceries and your gas unaffordable, it’s Republicans. So let’s give immigrants what they deserve and be able to bring them into our system. Let’s do it.”