By Ruth Serven Smith | rserven@al.com, AL.COM

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt is defending a landmark bipartisan housing bill, after her fellow senator from Alabama, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, called it a “blank check” for “illegals.”

Britt worked on and voted for the legislation, which is still awaiting the president’s signature. 

Tuberville voted against it. 

The bill aims to make housing more affordable and available for Americans.

The package “appropriates zero dollars and maintains that illegal aliens are not eligible for HUD housing assistance,” Britt said Thursday.

The comment came after Tuberville claimed the bill will support “illegals.” 

His staff did not respond to a request for comment from AL.com asking him to explain what part of the package might benefit immigrants who are in the country illegally.

By law, immigrants here illegally cannot receive direct federal housing benefits, such as rental assistance.

Britt said the bill, known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, will help disabled veterans, rural families and other people who need access to housing.

“There is still more work to be done to ensure young families have the opportunity to own a home, but this bill makes meaningful changes to address our nation’s affordable housing crisis,” she said.

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Featured image: Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville (United States Congress and United States Senate Photographic Studio/Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)