GOP Senator Warns Supreme Court Ruling Creates Citizenship Loophole

Senator Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., has raised alarms regarding the Supreme Court's recent 6-3 decision on birthright citizenship, arguing that it could compromise national security, especially concerning threats from China. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Schmitt outlined a comprehensive approach to address the implications of the ruling, which he believes leaves the U.S. vulnerable.

Schmitt stated, "I want to get this done because I really believe that the future of our country is on the line. We can't have Chinese generals sending their wives to this country to give birth and going back for 18 years and coming back and being citizens. It's insane."

To counter the ruling, Schmitt is advocating for both a constitutional amendment and legislative action. He believes that there are short-term, medium-term, and long-term solutions to the issue. The short-term solution would involve executive action, while the medium-term would focus on legislative measures. The long-term solution would be a constitutional amendment to clarify the 14th Amendment's language.

The Supreme Court's decision interpreted the phrase "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" to mean that all children born in the U.S. automatically receive citizenship. Schmitt's proposed legislation aims to modify this language to include "not subject to a foreign power," which he argues would restore the original intent of the 14th Amendment and prevent foreign adversaries from gaining citizenship for their children born in the U.S.

Schmitt referenced Justice Brett Kavanaugh's opinion in the court's decision, which suggested that Congress could enact new legislation to establish exceptions to birthright citizenship for children born to foreign citizens unlawfully or temporarily in the country. However, he acknowledged that passing such legislation would require overcoming the Senate's 60-vote filibuster threshold, necessitating bipartisan support.

He pointed out that there was a time when Democrats, including the late former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, supported similar legislation aimed at amending the 14th Amendment to prevent children of illegal immigrants from obtaining citizenship. Schmitt questioned whether Democrats would shift their stance in light of public sentiment regarding immigration and border security.

As the debate continues, Schmitt remains committed to pursuing legislative avenues to address what he sees as a critical national security issue.