House panel advances E-Verify mandate for contractors

A House committee advanced a mandate requiring all federal contractors to use the E-Verify system, voting 17-8 to order the amended bill reported out. The measure, introduced by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, eliminates exemptions for contracts under $150,000 or shorter than 120 days, aiming to ensure only legal workers staff government projects. E-Verify checks new hires' eligibility against federal records from the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration.[1][6]

The push builds on existing rules for some federal contractors and mirrors state trends, like Ohio's new law effective March 19 mandating the system for nonresidential builders on public works, with penalties up to $25,000 and potential debarment. Congress has seen similar efforts, including the Legal Workforce Act passed by the House Judiciary Committee in a 22-9 vote, which proposes a mandatory national system with safe harbors for good-faith users and a phase-in for small firms. Unions and businesses oppose expansions, citing immigrant labor reliance and added paperwork burdens.[2][4][5]

For Milwaukee residents, this matters as local construction firms bid on federal projects at sites like the Milwaukee River bridges or VA hospital upgrades. Stricter verification could raise labor costs in a tight market, slowing infrastructure work and homebuilding amid Wisconsin's 3.8% unemployment rate per Bureau of Labor Statistics data. It promises fairer competition for U.S. workers but risks project delays if contractors struggle with compliance.[1][13]

The bill now heads to the full House, where debate could intensify over fraud risks and economic impacts before any Senate matchup.