House OKs Capito proposal on aliens, female crime victims

Riders that Rep. Shelley Moore Capito proposed to a $53 billion justice, science and commerce spending bill to deal with illegal aliens and help women victimized by crime in rural settings has gained House approval.

One amendment provides more money to prosecute illegal aliens, the source of much controversy this year in Congress, while a second change she added to the bill guarantees the federal government doesn’t hire illegal immigrants.

An extra $10 million is provided for the Southwest Border Prosecutors Initiative.

Often, Capito explained, aliens and drug traffickers are caught along the border but the federal government decides against prosecution, leaving state and county officials to absorb the costs of pursuing such cases.

Capito, R-W.Va., said her intent is to provide local authorities with more money to support prosecutors, probation officers, courts and detention facilities.

Another $10 million would go to grants programs covering rural domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and child abuse under the Office on Violence Against Women within the Justice Department.

“To be safe in their communities, women first need to be safe in their homes,â€