Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., has proposed an amendment to toughen the controls designed to prevent illegal immigrants from getting jobs with companies doing business with the federal government.

He said the amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations Act would require any business contracting with the federal government to use E-Verify in order to receive federal money.

E-Verify is designed to let businesses check immigration records to determine whether the people they are hiring are in the country legally.

Heller said the amendment would ensure that taxpayer money doesn't go to employ illegal aliens.