OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Senate has postponed a vote on a proposed 2011-2013 transportation budget, after a Republican lawmaker introduced an amendment aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from obtaining driver’s licenses.
The Senate on Tuesday began discussing the $8.9 billion budget approved by the House last month. Lawmakers had planned to vote on an amendment that combines various aspects of the House and Senate budget proposals into one compromise plan.
But the floor session was cut short after Sen. Don Benton introduced his own amendment to require the state to verify the citizenship of driver’s license applicants if they fail to provide a valid social security number.
Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown says the Vancouver Republican’s amendment is outside the scope of the transportation budget and has called for a ruling from the Senate president. That decision is expected Wednesday.
