Equal Representation Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I rise today to oppose H.R. 7109. It is a bill that threatens equal and fair representation of immigrant communities.

This bill requires a citizenship question on the U.S. Census, which directly undermines the Constitution's mandate for a fair and accurate count of all residents.

This requirement would deprive tens of millions of immigrants their rightful access to representation and resources, even though they pay taxes and contribute to our economy.

A citizenship question would have a chilling effect on participation in the Census. Its accuracy would be destroyed.

The Census count affects where the Federal Government appropriates funds and resources to our communities.

Republicans are effectively saying: If you are not a citizen in this country, you don't count. Even legal permanent residents, you don't count. This is absurd.

Let me be clear. Immigrants are the backbone of this economy. They work the fields, they build our cities, and they contribute tirelessly to the fabric of our society.

They pay over half a trillion dollars in taxes, including taxes for Social Security and Medicare, even though undocumented immigrants can't receive benefits.

Despite their invaluable contributions, Republicans want to deny immigrant communities access to even more vital services and resources that they help fund through their hard-earned tax dollars.

As Representatives of the people, it is our duty to ensure that all members of our communities are treated with dignity and respect.

Every individual, regardless of their immigration status, should have the opportunity to thrive, but H.R. 7109 does the opposite.

A citizenship question on the Census threatens to further marginalize immigrant communities. An undercount of the immigrant population would not only result in an unfair distribution of resources, but it will also undermine the very foundation of our democracy--that is fair representation from our government.

I urge our colleagues to reject this extreme Republican bill and instead focus on policies that uplift and empower all members of our society.

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