3 More True Reform Freshmen Co-Sponsor Birthright Citizenship Bill (Harris, Nugent, and Nunnelee)
Reps. Andy Harris (R-Md.), Richard Nugent (R-Fla.), and Alan Nunnelee (R-Miss.) have cosponsored the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2011 introduced by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa). All three Members are serving their first term in Congress and were identified as True Reformers during the mid-term elections. The bill currently has 63 cosponsors and amends current U.S. code to require at least one parent to be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident for a new born to receive automatic citizenship.
The Fourteenth Amendment extends citizenship to all persons born in the U.S. and "subject to the jurisdiction"; it also grants Congress the power to enforce and define the provisions of the amendment.
Since the Civil Rights Act of 1866, Congress has defined Birthright Citizenship through appropriate legislation, which for decades has granted citizenship to newborns with both parents illegal aliens, foreign tourists or temporary foreign workers and students. The Fourteenth Amendment gives Congress the right to define birthright citizenship differently.
The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2011 would add to the existing federal code a provision that requires at least one parent of a new born to be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident in order for the new born to receive automatic citizenship.
The United States is one of two industrialized nations (Canada) to offer Birthright Citizenship.Rep. Harris represents Maryland's 1st Congressional District and was identified as a "True Reformer" during the mid-term elections. Rep. Harris defeated incumbent Frank Kratovil.
Rep. Nugent represents Florida's 5th Congressional District and was identified as a "True Reformer" during the mid-term elections. He replaced Ginny Brown-Waite who retired at the end of the last Congress.
Rep. Nunnelee represents Mississippi's 1st Congressional District. He was identified as a "True Reformer" during the mid-term elections and defeated Travis Childers.
For the full list of cosponsors, visit the Thomas section of the Library of Congress' website.