Senate Republicans’ efforts to block non-citizens, including illegal immigrants, from being counted in the census for purposes of apportioning House seats and the Electoral College failed Friday after the bill received no support from a single Democrat. It was rejected late. .
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) moved to include a companion amendment in the $460 billion spending plan. It would require the Census Bureau to include a citizenship question in future censuses, after which it would be closed to non-Americans. Citizens are excluded from being counted for purposes of apportioning Congressional districts and the Electoral College.
The bill would also exclude legal immigrants with temporary visas and green cards from the census, a move that would prevent illegal immigrants from being counted among the millions of new arrivals at the southern border. This was done with a clear purpose. This is similar to the Trump administration’s effort to include a citizenship question in the 2020 census. President Trump’s efforts drew widespread criticism and condemnation from Democrats and left-wing immigration groups, who say the citizenship question is illegal and designed to help Republicans in future elections.
Sen Hagerty says Democrats are engaging in a ‘total power grab’ by condoning ‘genocide’ at the border
February 19, 2024: Senator Bill Hagerty tours the southern border in Eagle Pass, Texas. (Senate Republican Conference)
Hagerty told Fox News Digital last month that he believes Democrats in “sanctuary” cities and other areas want to expand their representation in the House and electorate through redistricting and accept the impact of the immigration surge. Ta.
“They are watching people leave the state. They are aware of the possibility of losing Congressional districts and electoral votes in the next census. They are considering the presence of illegal immigrants in making apportionment decisions. “I think most Americans are shocked to learn that we’re considering an increase in congressional districts and electoral votes,” Hagerty said.
“But if you look at the motivations for the crimes that are happening on our southern border, that’s it. That’s what Democrats are trying to do,” he said. “And it’s a total power grab. This is totally ironic, and in fact this is the simplest explanation of why they condone this carnage and mayhem. It’s about holding and gaining power. That’s why.”
Some people are conservative experts have warned Especially regarding the possibility of an immigration surge regarding House apportionments. The Heritage Foundation’s Lora Rees co-authored an essay with R. J. Howman, director of the National Immigration Enforcement Center, warning that illegal immigration is causing “distorted representation” in Congress.
White House calls on sanctuary cities to help fight ice amid uproar over illegal immigration crimes
Migrants cross the Rio Grande River at the U.S.-Mexico border on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. (Alejandro Segarra/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Reese and Howman wrote: “Prohibiting the inclusion of noncitizens in the census is critical to ensuring that Americans, the only citizens who can vote in American elections, choose our leaders.” ” and warned that the crisis was “distorting”. What kind of representation each state has in the House of Representatives and how many electoral votes each state receives in presidential elections. ”
However, Hagerty’s amendment failed when 51 Democrats and independents either voted against it or were absent. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) also voted against the bill. All other Republicans either voted in favor of the bill or were absent. The vote was 51-45 against it.
Support from most Republicans for the bill suggests it could pass in the Republican-controlled House.
Hagerty said in a statement that the Democratic opposition has “confirmed that they are using illegal aliens and sanctuary cities to increase their political power.”
7.2 million people will enter the US under Biden administration, more than the population of 36 states
The vote came at a time when immigration remains a hotly contested political issue. President Biden visited the southern border last week and in his State of the Union address Thursday renewed his appeal to Congress to pass bipartisan border legislation.
“Look, folks, we have a simple choice: fight to fix the border, or fix it. I’m ready to fix it. Send us a border bill now.” said Biden.
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The bill would increase staffing at the border and increase funding for cities and NGOs accepting migrants. Border entry would also be restricted, but conservatives say the 5,000-person-a-day limit would normalize already excessive levels of illegal immigration.
FOX News’ Thomas Catenacci contributed to this report.
