[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 54 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCING THE ``AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP AMENDMENT''

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                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2005

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the American Citizenship 
Amendment. Currently, any person born on American soil can claim 
American citizenship, regardless of the citizenship of that child's 
parents. This means that any alien who happens to give birth in the 
United States has just given birth to an American citizen, eligible for 
all the benefits and privileges afforded to citizens.
  Thus far the U.S. courts have asserted authority by interpreting the 
14th Amendment to include the concept of birthright citizenship. 
However it is up to the U.S. Congress--and not the U.S. Supreme Court--
to define American citizenship. That is why, I am introducing this 
Constitutional Amendment clarifying that the happenstance of birth on 
U.S. soil does not a U.S. citizen make.
  This proposed Constitutional amendment restores the concept of 
American citizenship to that of our Founders. This legislation simply 
states that no child born in the United States whose mother and father 
do not possess citizenship or owe permanent allegiance to the United 
States shall be a citizen of the United States. It is essential to the 
future of our constitutional republic that citizenship be something of 
value, something to be cherished. It cannot be viewed as merely an 
express train into the welfare state.

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