By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – A bill to make it a felony crime for illegal immigrants to attempt to vote touched off a heated debate in a House committee.
House Majority Leader Representative Ken Guin of Carbon Hill accused the bill's Republican sponsor of using the issue for publicity purposes.
The sponsor, Representative Micky Hammon of Decatur, says illegal immigration is an issue that needs to be publicized.
It was a heated debate at Wednesday's meeting of the House Constitution and Elections Committee. Hammon at one point accused Guin of trying to "cross examine me." Guin is a lawyer.
The bill was approved by the committee on a seven to three vote and now goes to the full House for debate.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)