Tim Burchett: “My mama's prayers did. Mine don't get quite that close. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7109, the Equal…”

“My mama's prayers did. Mine don't get quite that close. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7109, the Equal Representation Act. This legislation will require U.S. citizens to include a question that asks if the person is a United States citizen. It is just a question. This bill passed through the House Oversight Committee on a straight party-line vote, 22-20. Not a single Democrat supported it. The Census informs how our government divides up congressional districts and electoral college votes. Mr. Speaker, it helps to ensure American voters have equal representation. That process should not factor in people who are not citizens or not eligible to vote. You can see why my Democratic colleagues would have a problem with this bill. Factoring illegal aliens into the process skews things in their favor. In fact, it wasn't very long ago that a Member from the minority party was on the news claiming that they wish more illegals would come to their district for the Census. If the Census does not include the citizenship question, States with more illegal aliens will get more congressional districts and more electoral college votes. We have a history of saying that elections are sacred and that free, fair, and secure elections are the cornerstone of this great Republic, Mr. Speaker. It is time to act like it and prioritize the dadgum representation of our people.…”