One Citizen, One Seat Act
Summary
The "One Citizen, One Seat Act" proposes to revise the 2020 decennial census data to count only United States citizens for the purpose of state population tabulations. This revised tabulation would then be used for various purposes, including the distribution of federal grants. States would be required to use this citizen-only count for all purposes for which they previously used the total population count.
Expected Effects
The immediate effect would be a recalculation of state populations based solely on citizenship. This could lead to shifts in congressional representation and the allocation of federal funds. States that do not comply with using the revised tabulation may risk losing federal grant eligibility.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially more accurate representation of citizens' interests in Congress.
- Could lead to a redistribution of federal funds to states with higher proportions of citizens.
- May incentivize states to encourage citizenship.
- Could provide a clearer picture of the citizen population for policy-making purposes.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could lead to underrepresentation of states with large non-citizen populations.
- May negatively impact federal funding for states with large non-citizen populations, affecting services for all residents.
- Raises concerns about equal protection and fairness in representation.
- Could be seen as discriminatory against non-citizens.
- May face legal challenges based on constitutional principles.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is questionable. Section 2 of Article 1 requires representatives to be chosen by the "People of the several States," which has historically been interpreted to include all residents, not just citizens. The Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause could also be invoked, as the bill potentially creates unequal representation based on citizenship status. The Supreme Court has addressed similar issues in Wesberry v. Sanders, emphasizing equal representation.
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).