Tillis introduces bill to help U.S. citizens married to non-citizens

American citizens should not be denied federal COVID-19 funding assistance because they are married to a foreign national who is not presently a United States citizen, according to a new bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC).

The American Citizen Coronavirus Relief Act, S. 4071, which Sen. Tillis cosponsored on June 25 with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), would adjust identification number requirements for taxpayers filing joint returns so that they could receive Economic Impact Payments (EIPs), according to the text of the bill.

If enacted, S. 4071 would amend the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which currently prohibits U.S. citizens who jointly file taxes with a spouse who does not have a Social Security Number (SSN) from receiving a recovery rebate.

Specifically, S. 4071 would no longer require an SSN for spouses filing taxes jointly but would continue to require an SSN for EIP eligibility. This would allow a U.S. citizen to receive the same EIP as a single tax filer, according to a one-page bill summary provided by Sen. Tillis’ office.

“In March, I worked to pass the bipartisan CARES Act to provide economic stimulus payments to North Carolinians as we battle this pandemic,” Sen. Tillis said. “Every eligible citizen deserves this payment, and I am proud to introduce legislation with Senator Rubio to fix this oversight.”

The bill has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.