Representative Daniel Webster (R-Pembroke) and Representative James Lyons (R-Andover) held up an informal House session until 9 p.m. last night, according to a press release from Webster's staff. The standoff with House leadership revolves around an amendment Representative Lyons filed last week during the House debate on the pending supplemental budget bill.

The amendment would require the Patrick administration to provide a detailed breakdown by early next spring of spending on state benefits granted to illegal aliens. There has been much speculation during the past few years over the amount of money Massachusetts taxpayers are spending on benefits for those not in our country legally. If this amendment were adopted Massachusetts taxpayers would have this question answered.

The stalemate started around 11:30 a.m., when House leadership planned to concur on a Senate version of the supplemental budget that did not include Lyons' amendment. It continued until 9 p.m. when a voice vote was called for concurrence with the Senate. Webster and Lyons doubted the presence of a quorum which killed the vote. According to House rules, the House is not allowed to meet beyond the hour 9 p.m. without approval from a majority of the members. The House is scheduled to meet again in informal session today at 10 a.m. to further address this matter. If the presence of a quorum remains in doubt this matter cannot be resolved until a formal session occurs when a majority of the members would be present.

Representative Webster said, "I give Representative Lyons credit for insisting the House come back into session and debate his amendment before we take a vote on concurrence. This amendment is important because taxpayers deserve to know how being their money is being spent.” He further stated, "it is imperative we have a clear understanding of how much of the taxpayers money is being given away to illegal aliens.”