Equal Representation Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, it is always good to see Ranking Member Raskin with a good, healthy head of hair. God does listen to our prayers. We are glad he is with us and healthy.

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Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, my mama's prayers did. Mine don't get quite that close.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7109, the Equal Representation Act. This legislation will require U.S. citizens to include a question that asks if the person is a United States citizen. It is just a question.

This bill passed through the House Oversight Committee on a straight party-line vote, 22-20. Not a single Democrat supported it.

The Census informs how our government divides up congressional districts and electoral college votes. Mr. Speaker, it helps to ensure American voters have equal representation. That process should not factor in people who are not citizens or not eligible to vote.

You can see why my Democratic colleagues would have a problem with this bill. Factoring illegal aliens into the process skews things in their favor. In fact, it wasn't very long ago that a Member from the minority party was on the news claiming that they wish more illegals would come to their district for the Census.

If the Census does not include the citizenship question, States with more illegal aliens will get more congressional districts and more electoral college votes.

We have a history of saying that elections are sacred and that free, fair, and secure elections are the cornerstone of this great Republic, Mr. Speaker. It is time to act like it and prioritize the dadgum representation of our people.

Americans are sick and tired of this administration weaponizing different parts of our government, and they don't want to see something like the Census being used against them when it is so hard to get American citizens to even take the Census.

Leaders in States like California and New York are taking pride in harboring illegal aliens. In fact, the people of California have offered free healthcare to their illegals, and New York has kicked combat veterans out of housing to house illegals.

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Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, States should not be rewarded with more congressional seats or electoral college votes, which would end up distorting the will of the American people.

I thank my colleagues, Congressman Warren Davidson and Congressman Chuck Edwards, for introducing this legislation. I am proud to support it.

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