Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, has announced her intention to introduce a bill that would require a new census counting only U.S. citizens, with the results determining the allocation of House seats. Additionally, the measure would mandate proof of American citizenship for voting in federal elections. Greene stated that she has discussed the proposal with former President Donald Trump, who expressed support for the idea.
The congresswoman framed the issue as a matter of national security, warning that Democrats would encourage non-citizens to vote and potentially allow a ‘world takeover’ of the country. The current census includes unauthorized immigrants, but Greene’s proposal would exclude them. This change could significantly reshape the political landscape by altering the number of House seats each state receives, with some states potentially gaining seats and others losing them.
The proposal has sparked legal challenges, with four states suing to block the inclusion of illegal migrants in the census count used for assigning congressional seats and Electoral College votes. The potential impact on the Electoral College, which determines the outcome of presidential elections, has further fueled the debate over the measure’s implications.
Greene’s proposal is not without historical precedent. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees equal protection under the law, currently includes a provision that excludes ‘Indians not taxed’ from the census count. However, the amendment does not explicitly address the inclusion or exclusion of non-citizens. If Greene’s bill passes, it could potentially override this provision, leading to a significant shift in the political representation of various states.
The measure has also raised questions about the integrity of the voting process. While the requirement for proof of citizenship could be seen as a way to prevent voter fraud, opponents argue that it could disproportionately affect minority and immigrant communities. The debate over the bill highlights the broader tensions between national security concerns and the rights of all citizens, regardless of their immigration status.
As the bill moves through the legislative process, it is expected to face strong opposition from Democrats and civil rights advocates, who view the proposal as an attempt to suppress the voting rights of certain demographic groups. The potential impact on the balance of power in Congress and the implications for the 2024 presidential election have further intensified the debate over the measure’s viability and its potential long-term effects on American democracy.