[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 50 (Tuesday, May 2, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S3896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BURNS:
  S. 2693. A bill to prevent congressional reapportionment distortions; 
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, over the last few months, we have discussed 
at length the problem of illegal immigration. What many may not realize 
is that illegal immigration affects our system of representation as 
well.
  After the 1990 Census, my State of Montana lost one of its two seats 
in the House of Representatives. Ten years later, our great State had 
grown to more than 900,000 residents, but still did not gain a seat.
  Meanwhile, we have an estimated 12 million illegal aliens in this 
country today, and all of them will be a factor to determine which 
States gain or lose a seat in the House of Representatives after the 
Census in 2010. This is because current policy tells us to count 
everyone in this country, illegal or not, when determining 
Congressional apportionment.
  If these trends continue, we will have millions more illegal aliens 
counted in the 2010 Census. The result will be more seats lost in 
States that have actually increased in population of law-abiding U.S. 
residents.
  Thankfully, my State of Montana cannot lose any more seats in the 
House of Representatives. We are down to our last one. Other States, 
however, will not be so fortunate.
  Law-abiding citizens should not have to lose representation because 
millions of illegal immigrants ignore our laws. That is why today, I am 
introducing the Fair and Accurate Representation Act. This bill will 
exclude the masses of illegal aliens in this country from being part of 
the Congressional apportionment process.
  If we act now, we can get started on reforming this process in time 
for the 2010 Census. The voting rights of law-abiding citizens should 
not be diluted by those who choose to enter this country illegally. I 
call upon my colleagues in the Senate to join me in correcting this 
process, so that those who lawfully reside in this country receive fair 
and accurate representation.
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