Memphis Standard

NASHVILLE, TENN. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) have introduced the Equal Representation Act, a piece of legislation aimed at ensuring that only legal citizens are considered in determining Congressional districts and the Electoral College map for presidential elections. The current practice of counting illegal immigrants for representation purposes has been criticized for incentivizing open borders and increasing the political power of states and voters that support it.

Senator Blackburn expressed her concerns about the situation, stating, "Blue states may be losing citizens over their liberal policies, but they’re making up for it by welcoming illegal immigrants. Democrats have admitted the quiet part out loud as they continue to justify their open border policies: they just need a higher head count to help them acquire more seats in Congress and more dollars from the federal government. This is wrong and un-American. Only U.S. citizens should be counted for purposes of congressional and Electoral College apportionment."

Senator Hagerty echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need to address the issue. He stated, "It is unconscionable that illegal immigrants and non-citizens are counted toward congressional district apportionment and our electoral map. While people continue to flee Democrat-run cities, desperate Democrats are back-filling the mass exodus with illegal immigrants so that they do not lose their seats in Congress or their electoral votes for the presidency, hence artificially boosting their political power and in turn diluting the power of other Americans' votes. I’m pleased to introduce this legislation that would require a citizenship question on the census and will ensure that only citizens are counted in congressional redistricting."

The legislation, known as the Equal Representation Act, aims to rectify this situation. It proposes three key measures. First, it requires the Census Bureau to include a citizenship question on future census forms, enabling a better understanding of the U.S. population and distinguishing between citizens and non-citizens for apportionment purposes. Second, it prohibits non-citizens from being counted in the determination of congressional district and Electoral College apportionment. Finally, it mandates that the Census Bureau publicly report certain demographic data.

The need for this legislation is underscored by recent events. A video emerged showing a Democrat Congresswoman openly advocating for increased illegal immigration to her New York congressional district, stating that she "needs more people in her district for redistricting purposes." This revelation highlights the potential manipulation of the system and the urgency to address the matter.

The current practice of counting illegal immigrants for congressional district apportionment and Electoral College votes has significant consequences. For example, states like California, with a large population of illegal alien residents, are granted several additional congressional seats and Electoral College votes, which exceeds the number justified by their citizen population. This disparity grants a Californian's vote more power relative to an individual in a state with less population boost from illegal immigration. Consequently, this creates a perverse incentive that encourages illegal immigration and resettlement while distorting the political power balance.

The Equal Representation Act has garnered support from several co-sponsors, including U.S. Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and J.D. Vance (R-Ohio).

The Equal Representation Act aims to address a significant issue in the determination of congressional districts and Electoral College votes. By ensuring that only legal citizens are counted, the legislation seeks to restore integrity and fairness to the process while discouraging illegal immigration and preventing the dilution of Americans' votes.