PA House Approves 'Sanctuary Cities' Bill
by Tony Romeo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- By a wide margin, the State House has sent the Senate legislation that would punish Philadelphia and other local governments in Pennsylvania that have declared themselves to be "sanctuary cities."
By a vote of 136 to 55, the House approved a bill that would penalize "sanctuary cities" that do not cooperate with federal authorities regarding what the measure calls "unauthorized aliens," and would make those municipalities liable for damages or injuries caused by those individuals.
Some Democrats, including Philadelphia's Brian Sims, argued vehemently against the bill.
"This is about attacking people in Philadelphia who we don't like," said Sims.
Butler County Republican Daryl Metcalfe argued in favor of the measure.
"Pennsylvanians want their interests protected over the interests of foreign nationals who are here illegally," said Metcalfe.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration with only a handful of days left on the schedule before the current two-year legislative session ends.
