House Democrats unanimously voted in favor of continuing to include foreign nationals, including illegal aliens, when apportioning congressional districts in states. The Equal Representation Act, proposed by Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC), was supported by all Republicans and opposed by all Democrats. This bill would require the 2030 census to include a question certifying whether respondents are American citizens or foreign nationals. The Department of Commerce would then publicize the number of American citizens and foreign nationals in the United States. Additionally, the bill would ensure that congressional apportionment is based only on the number of American citizens in each state, excluding foreign nationals and illegal aliens. The goal of the bill is to prevent states with small foreign populations from being underrepresented compared to states with larger foreign populations. President Joe Biden has voiced his opposition to the bill, citing concerns about its compliance with the Fourteenth Amendment. Under Biden’s administration, the foreign-born population in the U.S. has reached a record high, with a growth of 6.4 million in the first three years of his presidency.
