South Asheville News

U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards has re-introduced the Equal Representation Act, aiming to address concerns over the influence of illegal immigrants on congressional representation in the United States. Co-leading this legislation is Congressman Warren Davidson.

The act seeks to counter what its proponents describe as consequences of the Biden administration's border policies, which they claim have increased the non-citizen population in the country. The 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are apportioned based on state populations, including illegal immigrants, which affects how many representatives each state receives.

A study by Pew Research using 2020 Census data indicated that Texas, Florida, and California might lose a congressional seat if unauthorized immigrants were excluded from apportionment counts, while Alabama, Minnesota, and Ohio could gain one.

The bill proposes adding a citizenship question to future censuses and excluding non-citizens from apportionment counts. It also mandates public reporting of data collected through this question.

"America will be paying the consequences of the previous administration’s open border policies for decades to come," said Edwards. "Mass illegal immigration has already diluted the voice of American citizens in the U.S. House and Electoral College."

Edwards initially introduced this bill during the 118th Congress where it passed with a narrow margin. Heritage Action has marked it as a key vote and continues to support it.

Davidson remarked, "The Equal Representation Act puts voting power back in the hands of the American people." He expressed pride in reintroducing this bill alongside Edwards and urged its passage by Congress.

Ryan Walker from Heritage Action commented on counting noncitizens: "Counting illegal aliens and other noncitizens in the U.S. Census cheats Americans out of fair and accurate representation." He commended Edwards for his efforts with this legislation.