Some Republicans in Congress are pushing for a citizenship question to be included in the census questionnaire, sparking controversy over the potential exclusion of noncitizens from the count that determines political power in the United States.
The GOP-led House is set to vote on the Equal Representation Act, which aims to eliminate noncitizens from the census tally used to allocate House seats and Electoral College votes to each state. While the bill is unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate and faces legal challenges due to constitutional requirements to count all individuals, it has raised concerns among redistricting experts, civil rights groups, and Democratic lawmakers.
Opponents argue that the proposal, previously considered fringe, has gained traction in the legislative process. Similar efforts were rejected in the past, including a Republican-sponsored language in an appropriations bill earlier this year.
The 14th Amendment mandates that congressional seats be distributed based on the total number of persons in each state, emphasizing the importance of an accurate census count. The Biden administration has criticized the GOP bill, citing increased costs, difficulty in obtaining accurate information, and potential violations of the Constitution.
Critics believe the citizenship question is a strategy to benefit Republicans by excluding noncitizens, while supporters argue it is necessary for obtaining accurate data. The debate reflects ongoing tensions over the role of citizenship in the census and its implications for political representation and federal funding distribution.