Equal Representation Act
Summary
The Equal Representation Act proposes significant changes to the US Census and the apportionment of congressional representatives. It mandates the inclusion of a citizenship question on the decennial census and requires the reporting of census statistics disaggregated by citizenship status. The bill's core aim is to modify the apportionment of Representatives, basing it on the number of US citizens rather than the total population.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would change how congressional districts are determined, potentially shifting political power between states. States with large non-citizen populations could lose representation in Congress. The inclusion of a citizenship question could also affect census response rates, particularly among immigrant communities.
Potential Benefits
- Could lead to a more accurate count of US citizens.
- May ensure that only citizens are represented in Congress.
- Potentially strengthens the principle of citizen-based representation.
- Could provide more detailed demographic data for policy-making.
- May address concerns about non-citizens influencing congressional apportionment.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could lead to an undercount of the total population, affecting federal funding for states and localities.
- May disproportionately impact states with large immigrant populations.
- Raises concerns about the accuracy and reliability of citizenship data collected through the census.
- Could face legal challenges based on equal protection and representation principles.
- May deter non-citizens from participating in the census, leading to skewed data.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is debatable. Article I, Section 2 states that Representatives shall be chosen by the "People of the several States." The Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause also raises questions about excluding non-citizens from the apportionment base. Proponents might argue for a stricter interpretation focusing on citizen representation, while opponents would emphasize the broader definition of "People" and equal protection concerns.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).