[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 196 (Monday, December 9, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CITIZENSHIP FOR CHILDREN OF MILITARY MEMBERS AND CIVIL SERVANTS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 3, 2019

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4803, 
the Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants 
Act.
  I applaud Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and House 
Judiciary Ranking Member Doug Collins (R-GA) for introducing this 
bipartisan legislation aimed to fix a problem in current citizenship 
laws.
  The current citizenship law implemented by this Administration in 
October, serves as a disadvantage to certain children who are born 
abroad and reside with a parent serving overseas in the military or as 
a federal government employee.
  Under current law, such children are required to establish U.S. 
residency in order to obtain citizenship, which can be difficult when a 
parent is stationed overseas.
  This small but important change is the necessary fix for U.S. armed 
forces and in federal government positions overseas.
  I am glad we could work together to introduce this bipartisan 
legislation that provides greater flexibility and support to those who 
have dedicated their careers to serving our nation.
  American citizens who are deployed members of our military or 
government officials working abroad should have confidence their 
children will receive U.S. citizenship.
  Military families are already making tremendous sacrifices to serve 
our country abroad and the children should not have to be penalized.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4803 because our 
military families should not have to deal with the bureaucracy of this 
Administration for their children to be United States citizens.

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