4 Freshmen Co-Sponsor Birthright Citizenship Act (West, Womack, Ross & McKinley)
Reps. Allen West (R-Fla.), David McKinley (R-W.Va.), Dennis Ross (R-Fla.), and Steve Womack (R-Ark.) have cosponsored the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2011 introduced by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa). All four Members are serving their first term in Congress and were identified as "True Reformers" during their campaigns. The bill currently has 45 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. West represents Florida's 22nd Congressional District and defeated the incumbent Ron Klein who had a career grade of a C-.
Rep. Womack represents Arkansas' 3rd Congressional District and replaced "True Reformer" John Boozman who vacated the seat to run and win the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Blanche Lincoln.
Rep. McKinley represents West Virgnia's 1st Congressional District and replaced the retiring Alan Mollohan. Mollohan had a career F grade.
Rep. Ross represents Florida's 12th Congressional District and replaced the retiring Adam Putnam. Putnam had a career C+ grade.
For the full list of cosponsors, visit the Thomas section of the Library of Congress' website.