WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, this week joined Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and eight of their colleagues in introducing the Born in the USA Act, legislation aimed at blocking the implementation of President Trump’s unconstitutional Executive Order attempting to end automatic citizenship for children born in the United States. The Senators’ legislation would prevent any government funds from being used to carry out or enforce this directive, which blatantly violates the U.S. Constitution. Federal courts have temporarily blocked the order’s implementation, but the Trump Administration has appealed that ruling. 

“If you’re born here, you’re a citizen. Trump’s executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship relies on an absurd reading of the plain text of the Constitution and would upend over a century of settled judicial precedent. This is the behavior of a wannabe king—not the leader of the free world,” said Senator Welch. “We’ll continue to defend the Constitution and fight Trump’s unconstitutional executive orders in the Senate and in the courts.” 

“The U.S. Constitution is abundantly clear that if you are born in the United States, then you are a citizen,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m leading my Senate colleagues in introducing this bill to stop President Trump’s unconstitutional attempt to end automatic citizenship for those born here.” 

In addition to Sens. Welch and Rosen, the Born in the USA Act is cosponsored by Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.). 

“The Constitution is clear: if you are born in the United States, you are a citizen. President Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship is not only unconstitutional, but also attempts to unlawfully deprive American children of their citizenship,” said Senator Durbin. “That is why I am joining Senator Rosen to introduce the Born in the USA Act, to stop government funds from being used to implement this unlawful executive order.” 

“Birthright citizenship is not up for debate. Trump’s attempt to end it is not only unconstitutional, it’s un-American,” said Senator Schatz. “This bill makes it clear that we will not allow taxpayer dollars to be used to undermine a fundamental right that has defined our nation for generations.” 

“In America, we follow the language of the Constitution, not the edicts of pretend Kings,” said Senator Blumenthal. “Birthright citizenship is incontrovertible. President Trump’s order pretending to eliminate this Constitutional provision is simply disingenuous and dangerous.” 

“President Trump can’t change the Constitution with a swipe of his pen,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Any child born in the United States is a citizen of the United States, and we will hold this administration accountable for their attempt to deny that right.” 

“The Fourteenth Amendment is clear: all persons born in the United States are citizens from their time of birth,” said Senator Booker. “Any suggestion to the contrary undermines the principle of birthright citizenship that has been enshrined in the Constitution for more than 150 years. The President cannot nullify a constitutional amendment and single-handedly strip lawful citizens of their legal status. Congress must act to swiftly pass legislation to block President Trump from using any government funds to carry out his unconstitutional executive order to deny citizenship to children born in the United States.” 

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