Lawmakers Urged to Tackle Birthright Citizenship Issue
WHO:
USA Today - Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, President Donald Trump, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vermont, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida.
Newsweek - Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, President Donald Trump.
WHAT:
USA Today - Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. stated that children born to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily in the United States satisfy the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment.
USA Today - A majority of justices found that birthright citizenship is constitutionally protected under the 14th Amendment.
USA Today - In a concurring opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted that Congress could establish exceptions to birthright citizenship for children born to people in the country illegally.
USA Today - Estimates of babies born to birth tourists in the U.S. range from 2,000 to 39,000 annually, with the government not tracking the figures.
USA Today - A group of 140 university professors argued that birth tourism accounts for an "infinitesimal proportion" of children born in the U.S.
USA Today - Speaker of the House Mike Johnson stated, "If there is a bill that can fix that, we’ll advance that immediately," regarding the legislative effort to address birthright citizenship.
USA Today - Johnson mentioned that he will attempt to pass the SAVE America Act through budget reconciliation, stating, "We’re going to try one more time on a budget reconciliation bill, and I think that will be the way to get it through the Senate, and finally to the president’s desk."
USA Today - Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled earlier this year that the SAVE America Act violated rules that prevent “extraneous” legislation from being included in the budget process under reconciliation.
USA Today - Mike Johnson stated that Congress should take legislative action to curtail birthright citizenship.
USA Today - The Supreme Court struck down an executive order from Trump regarding birthright citizenship.
USA Today - Johnson described "birthright tourism" as a practice that has "devalued" citizenship.
USA Today - Trump called for Congress to pass legislation following the Supreme Court's decision, asserting that "No long and unwieldy Constitutional Amendment is necessary!"
USA Today - A bill introduced by Graham and Babin acknowledges the right of birthright citizenship but narrows the definition of persons "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States.
USA Today - Estimates of babies born to birth tourists in the U.S. range from 2,000 to 39,000 annually.
USA Today - A group of 140 university professors argued that birth tourism accounts for an "infinitesimal proportion" of children born in the U.S.
USA Today - Johnson mentioned plans to pass the SAVE America Act through budget reconciliation.
USA Today - The SAVE America Act is described as a Trump-backed election reform bill.
USA Today - The House was put to recess due to a procedural motion led by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.
WHERE:
USA Today - The statements were made during a Fox News interview.
WHEN:
USA Today - The interview with Mike Johnson took place on July 5, 2026.
USA Today - The legislation to ban birthright citizenship was introduced last year.
WHY:
USA Today - Johnson claimed that the current immigration system is being abused by "birthright tourism" and described it as "a threat to the rule of law and national security."
USA Today - Johnson claimed that the current immigration system is being abused and that it poses a "threat to the rule of law and national security."
HOW:
USA Today - Johnson indicated that Republicans are "looking at all angles" to address the issue of birthright citizenship, but did not specify which legislation would be pursued.
USA Today - Johnson indicated that Republicans are "looking at all angles" to address the issue of birthright citizenship.
(UPDATED July 6, 2026 16:05 UTC)
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. stated that children born to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily in the United States satisfy the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment, with a majority of justices agreeing that birthright citizenship is constitutionally protected. In a concurring opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh mentioned that Congress could create exceptions for children born to individuals in the country illegally, while estimates suggest that between 2,000 and 39,000 babies are born to birth tourists in the U.S. each year, although the government does not track these figures. Meanwhile, House Speaker Johnson noted that Republicans are exploring various options to address the issue of birthright citizenship, though he did not specify any particular legislation that would be pursued.
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(UPDATED July 6, 2026 14:11 UTC)
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson announced plans to advance legislation addressing birthright citizenship, stating, "If there is a bill that can fix that, we’ll advance that immediately." He aims to pass the SAVE America Act through budget reconciliation, expressing optimism that this approach will successfully navigate the Senate and reach the president's desk. Johnson criticized the current immigration system, labeling "birthright tourism" as a threat to the rule of law and national security.
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(UPDATED July 6, 2026 06:26 UTC)
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and President Trump recently discussed the need for legislative action to address birthright citizenship during a Fox News interview. Johnson criticized "birthright tourism," claiming it undermines the value of citizenship, while Trump urged Congress to act swiftly, stating that no lengthy constitutional amendment is required. Additionally, a bill introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz, along with Representative Brian Babin, aims to redefine who qualifies for birthright citizenship, as Johnson emphasized that Republicans are exploring all options to tackle this issue.