Montana Congressman Matt Rosendale introduced his first piece of legislation in the U.S. House Friday. The bill aims to strip away a federal tax break from so-called sanctuary cities.
Rosendale’s “No Tax Breaks for Sanctuary Cities Act” would eliminate the tax free status of bonds issued by cities, counties and states that do not fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities to detain and deport undocumented immigrants.
Montana does not have any sanctuary jurisdictions.
Eighteen Republican House members cosponsored Rosendale’s bill, which was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Two House bills in 2019 sought to make sanctuary cities ineligible for federal financial assistance but did not make it out of committee.
Since taking office in January, Rosendale has cosponsored 24 pieces of legislation, including authorization to continue construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline and prohibiting the president or cabinet secretaries from issuing moratoria on oil and gas leasing without congressional approval.
He also cosponsored legislation to set term limits for members of Congress, limit every bill to one topic, require a balanced budget passed before the start of each fiscal year and limit abortion.