Republican Representative Andrew Clyde of Georgia has introduced the Make Apportionment Great Again (MAGA) Act, a bill that would require states to use only citizen counts when determining how many seats each state receives in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2027 reapportionment. The proposal seeks to change the long‑standing practice of counting every person residing in a state, regardless of citizenship or legal status.
How the bill would work
The legislation would not call for a new census after the 2020 count. Instead, it would direct states to rely on existing records to calculate citizen populations for reapportionment. The bill also adds a new question to the 2030 census, asking respondents to identify whether they are a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national who is not a citizen, a lawfully residing alien, or an unlawfully residing alien.
Impact on states with large immigrant populations
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, immigrants – both citizens and non‑citizens – comprise roughly one‑fifth of the population in California, New Jersey, New York, and Florida. A 2024 report from the Center for Immigration Studies found that immigration contributed to a net increase of 14 House seats in Democratic‑leaning states, while Republican‑leaning states lost about 10 seats they otherwise would have held.
By counting only citizens, the MAGA Act could shift those seats back toward states with higher citizen‑to‑non‑citizen ratios, potentially reducing Democratic representation in the House.
Legal and constitutional considerations
The Constitution’s 14th Amendment directs that House seats be apportioned after “counting the whole number of persons in each State,” without specifying citizenship status. Critics argue that the MAGA Act would conflict with that language and could face challenges from pro‑immigrant groups and other organizations that have opposed similar GOP election‑related measures.
Political context
The proposal arrives amid ongoing partisan battles over redistricting and census methodology. Earlier this year, a video resurfaced showing Representative Yvette Clarke (D‑NY) suggesting that more immigrants should be placed in her district for redistricting purposes. Clarke’s remarks have been cited by GOP leaders as evidence that counting non‑citizens can be used to manipulate district boundaries.
While the bill has not yet been voted on, its introduction signals a continued push by House Republicans to reshape the apportionment process in a way they say better reflects the citizen electorate.
Next steps
If passed, the MAGA Act would likely trigger legal challenges that could ascend to the federal courts. The outcome of those cases would determine whether the Constitution’s apportionment language can be interpreted to allow a citizen‑only count.
For now, the legislation remains a proposal, and its fate will depend on further debate in the House and the response of the judiciary.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
