WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Bill Hagerty and colleagues in the Senate to introduce the Equal Representation Act to prohibit non-U.S. citizens from being counted in the electoral college and Congressional district apportionment by requiring the Census Bureau to include a citizenship question on all future censuses. Senators Tim Sheehy, John Hoeven, Mike Lee, and James Lankford also cosponsored this legislation.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Illegal aliens shouldn’t be allowed to break the law and be rewarded with taxpayer-funded benefits, and states that shelter them shouldn’t gain increased influence in Washington as a result. Since illegal aliens are currently counted in the census, states like California receive disproportionate representation in the Electoral College and the House of Representatives. By restoring the census to its pre-2000 standard and including a citizenship question, this bill ensures that states like California don’t gain an unfair advantage over states like Florida, and that every citizen’s vote carries equal weight.”

Senator Bill Hagerty said, “It is unconscionable that illegal immigrants and non-citizens are counted toward congressional district apportionment and our electoral map for the presidency, which also heavily skews the seat count in the U.S. House of Representatives. While people continue to flee Democrat-run cities, desperate Democrats have back-filled the mass exodus with illegal immigrants so that they do not lose their seats in Congress or their electoral votes, hence artificially boosting their political power and in turn diluting the power of other Americans’ votes. I’m pleased to lead my colleagues in reintroducing this legislation that would require a citizenship question on the census and will ensure that only citizens are counted in congressional redistricting.”

Senator Katie Britt said, “Every ten years when the census is conducted, it's imperative that only U.S. citizens are included in the count to determine the apportionment of congressional seats and allocation of Electoral College votes. Counting illegal aliens for these critical purposes only rewards reckless jurisdictions for supporting open borders and sanctuary policies. The Equal Representation Act is a straightforward and commonsense measure to uphold fundamental fairness, and I'm proud to cosponsor it.”

Senator Ted Budd said, “For years, Democrat-run sanctuary cities and states have used millions of illegal aliens to grow their political influence. Their actions have stripped power away from American citizens who deserve to have their voices and votes equally accounted for. Illegal aliens have no place dictating the congressional seats or Electoral College votes a state receives.”

Senator Kevin Cramer said, “The Census is the foundation for representation in our political system, and any census that could include non-citizens in the apportionment count is really concerning to me, and it ought to be to all North Dakotans. Illegal immigrants and non-citizens cannot vote and should not be used as pawns as the Democrats redistrict in various states. Our Census has to count both Americans and non-Americans but should also distinguish between them.”

Senator Mike Crapo said, “Only U.S. citizens should be included in Census Bureau counts to apportion congressional and Electoral College representation. This vital reform would prevent states like California and New York from padding their population totals with those here illegally to tip the scales and boost their political power in Washington, D.C.”

Senator Steve Daines said, “The law is clear- illegal immigrants are not citizens of the United States and should not be counted as such. This bill is a commonsense measure to prohibit illegal immigrants from being counted in censuses, so that sanctuary cities can’t exploit the electoral college and taxpayer resources.” 

Senator Ron Johnson said, “The Biden Administration’s open border policies have created the worst border crisis in history. This bill ensures that congressional seats are apportioned based solely on U.S. citizens, protecting the integrity of our democratic system. Americans deserve to have their voices fully represented in Congress, not diluted by those who entered the country illegally.”

Senator Jim Justice said, “This is just commonsense. Absolutely no one who is in this country illegally should be counted when it comes to Congressional seats or Electoral College votes. Representation should be decided by American citizens-period. I am proud to support the Equal Representation Act to protect the integrity of our elections and to ensure every legal vote is counted equally.”

Senator Cynthia Lummis said, “Only American citizens should count toward the apportionment of congressional seats and Electoral College votes. Under current law, states harboring large illegal alien populations get extra representation and power at the expense of law-abiding states like Wyoming. This bill protects a fair electoral process and prevents Democrat-led states from ignoring federal immigration laws.”

Senator Roger Marshall said, “The Equal Representation Act stands for a simple proposition: Americans should decide American elections. States like California and New York should not be able to inflate their votes in the Electoral College—and in Congress—by counting non-citizens in the Census. I’m proud to support this bill to ensure that every vote in the Electoral College and Congress reflects the voices of American citizens only.”

Senator Pete Ricketts said, “Since 1820, the federal government has routinely utilized the Census to ask questions about citizenship status. This current policy rewards sanctuary cities and sanctuary states with outsized population because it’s counting people who came here illegally. Those people broke the law and must not be counted for representation. It’s fundamentally unfair to Nebraskans, or citizens in states who are following the law, to reward folks in states who are breaking the law. Only citizens can vote in elections and that’s the way it needs to remain.”

Senator Jim Risch said, “Democrats are undermining the rights of U.S. citizens by encouraging illegal immigrants to enter our country and skew congressional redistricting for political gain. The Equal Representation Act requires that the Census Bureau include a citizenship question ensuring American values and voices take priority.”

Senator Eric Schmitt said, “American elections should be determined by American citizens and American citizens alone. Voting is the foundation of our democracy, giving U.S. citizens a voice in shaping our future. I am proud to join this bill to protect Americans’ vote and keep our elections secure.”

Senator Tommy Tuberville said, “Illegal aliens have no right to congressional representation in this country, and they have no right to determine who our elected leaders are. The balance of power shouldn’t be weighed down by people who aren’t citizens of this country. Counting illegals in the Electoral College and congressional districts can completely alter the outcome of our elections. Thankfully, President Trump and his administration are deporting illegals in droves. I’m proud to join Senator Hagerty in reintroducing the Equal Representation Act so that ONLY Americans determine our elected leaders.”

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