Andy Barr (R-KY)
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution to protect American citizenship.
A Republican resolution with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution to change how American citizenship is determined. It seeks to redefine who is considered "subject to the jurisdiction of the United States" for the purposes of the fourteenth amendment. Under this proposal, a person born in the United States would only be considered subject to that jurisdiction if they have specific parental requirements. Those requirements include having at least one parent who is a U.S. national, a lawful permanent resident living in the U.S., or an alien with lawful status performing active service in the military. Congress would also be granted the power to pass legislation to implement this article.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this tighten control of the border?
The bill tightens citizenship criteria which proponents argue enhances border and immigration control.
- Scored +5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands federal control over the definition of citizenship criteria.
- Scored +2
Would white Americans be better off under this?
The bill may benefit those already holding stable citizenship or legal status.
The opposite· 3 of 7
- Scored -8
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill significantly restricts the automatic citizenship of children born to many immigrant groups.
- Scored -7
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?
The bill restricts the path to citizenship for children of undocumented or non-permanent residents born on U.S. soil.
- Scored -6
Would children be better off under this?
The bill negatively impacts children born to non-permanent residents or non-nationals.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Clearer requirements for citizenship: By establishing specific parental criteria in Section 2, the bill provides a defined list of who qualifies as being subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
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Recognition of military service: The provision in Section 2, subsection (3) allows for the children of aliens with lawful status who are performing active service in the Armed Forces to be considered subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Changes to birthright citizenship criteria: According to Section 2, individuals born in the United States whose parents do not meet the specific criteria—such as being a national, a lawful permanent resident, or an active-duty service member—would no longer be considered subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
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Impact on those without specific parental status: Under Section 2, persons born in the United States to parents who do not fall into the three specified categories would be excluded from being considered subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would white Americans be better off under this? — The bill may benefit those already holding stable citizenship or legal status. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill significantly restricts the automatic citizenship of children born to many immigrant groups. Would children be better off under this? — The bill negatively impacts children born to non-permanent residents or non-nationals. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Changes to citizenship laws typically disproportionately affect the Hispanic community. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill could negatively affect low-income immigrant families' access to legal status for their children.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill tightens citizenship criteria which proponents argue enhances border and immigration control. Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill restricts the path to citizenship for children of undocumented or non-permanent residents born on U.S. soil. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The restriction of birthright citizenship may disproportionately impact minority communities and immigrant families.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal control over the definition of citizenship criteria. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Changing the constitutional definition of citizenship may impact the due process rights of those born under previous standards.
- 6/30/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.