House Speaker Says Birthright Citizenship Needs Congressional Fix After Court Ruling

The speaker praised a dissent by Justice Clarence Thomas that argued the original intent of the amendment was to enhance citizenship. The speaker told Fox News Sunday that the practice of birthright tourism threatens the rule of law and national security.

The Supreme Court recently declined to rule on an executive order that would have limited birthright citizenship to children born to at least one citizen parent or to parents with lawful status. The majority opinion stated that changing the policy would require a constitutional amendment.

President Trump accepted the ruling and posted on Truth Social that Congress should begin work immediately on ending birthright citizenship, adding that he would give the effort complete support.

The speaker said Congress would advance legislation quickly if a bill can address the issue, but noted that a constitutional amendment would require a longer process. The speaker paraphrased Thomas as writing that the Citizenship Clause added to the dignity of American citizenship and that recent interpretations have devalued it.

One senator stated last week that the amendment process is purposefully difficult and that two-thirds approval in both chambers of Congress plus ratification by three-quarters of the states would be needed.