NEW: GOP Effort To Deport Migrant Fraudsters Passes The House

House Republicans pushed through a bill Wednesday aimed at booting illegal immigrants involved in welfare fraud, clearing the chamber over near-unified Democratic opposition.

Lawmakers voted 231-186 to pass the Deporting Fraudsters Act, with 186 Democrats voting no.

The legislation, introduced by Rep. David Taylor, R-Ohio, would update the Immigration and Nationality Act to make fraud a clear deportable offense. GOP lawmakers say it closes loopholes and ensures noncitizens who rip off taxpayer-funded programs lose access to immigration protections.

“If you admit to or you’re convicted of fraudulently receiving public benefits, you are out of here on the next plane and can never return,” Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., said Wednesday on the House floor.

RELATED: Feds Catch Red State Somalis Smuggling $130M To Minnesota

The bill now heads to the Senate, where it faces long odds. Most legislation needs 60 votes to advance, and Democrats are expected to block it.

The vote comes as Republicans ramp up scrutiny of alleged welfare abuse across the country.

In December, the House Oversight Committee opened an investigation into widespread fraud tied to Minnesota’s social services programs. Federal prosecutors say up to $9 billion in taxpayer funds may have been siphoned off through various schemes. Nearly 100 people have been charged, the vast majority of Somali descent.

Republicans have also pointed to reporting by independent journalist Nick Shirley, who has dug into alleged daycare fraud cases in Minnesota and California.

“We have already seen why action is needed,” Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., said Tuesday during a House GOP leadership news conference. “Independent journalist Nick Shirley helped expose a massive fraud scheme, showing how organized and widespread these scams can become even when oversight fails.”

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