Washington, DC- Congressman Tom Rice (R-SC) released the following statement after introducing the Fairness in Representation Amendment with Congressman Warren Davidson (R-OH). 

The Fair Representation Amendment would direct the Census Bureau to only use the number of U.S. citizens counted in the decennial census to apportion and draw congressional districts. Currently, all persons residing inside the U.S. are counted, including non-citizen residents and undocumented migrants.

“Not only does illegal immigration cost American jobs and suppress wages for the most vulnerable, but including undocumented immigrants in the Census provides an incentive for sanctuary cities and states to continue undermining federal immigration enforcement. We have welcomed immigrants for generations, but we must ensure those who wish to come to America do so in a legal manner because counting people living illegally in the United States is an attack on our democratic apportionment process that would quash American voices,” said Congressman Rice. “The intent of the census is for apportionment of Representatives in Congress, so we must ensure the count is accurate. The Fairness in Representation Amendment will protect the sanctity of our Constitution.”