Senator Schmitt Warns of National Security Risks from Supreme Court Birthright Ruling

Senator Eric Schmitt, a Republican from Missouri, has expressed concerns about the Supreme Court’s recent decision on birthright citizenship, suggesting it poses national security risks. The court’s 6-3 decision has drawn criticism from several Republicans, and Schmitt specifically highlights potential threats from China.

In a conversation with Fox News Digital, Schmitt outlined a series of steps that could be taken by lawmakers and the administration to address these concerns. He stated, “I want to get this done because I really believe that the future of our country is on the line.” He referred to issues like Chinese generals sending their spouses to the U.S. to give birth, leading to citizenship. Schmitt described this practice as “insane.”

A recent interview with Schmitt emphasized a multifaceted approach, involving both legislative and constitutional paths. “The short-term is executive action, the medium-term is our legislative action that we could take, and then the long-term solution is the constitutional amendment,” Schmitt elaborated. He believes pursuing all these options would effectively counter the court’s decision.

The senator follows advice given by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who pointed out that Congress could enact new legislation under the Fourteenth Amendment to set exceptions for birthright citizenship. Kavanaugh noted, “Congress could — consistent with the Fourteenth Amendment — amend or otherwise enact new legislation establishing exceptions to birthright citizenship for children born to foreign citizens unlawfully or temporarily in the country.”

Schmitt’s proposed bill aims to amend the language of the 14th Amendment. The current interpretation “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” grants automatic citizenship to all U.S.-born children. According to Schmitt, changing the wording to “not subject to a foreign power” will restore the amendment to its original intent, preventing adversaries from easily obtaining citizenship.

However, legislative efforts face hurdles, notably the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold, necessitating bipartisan support. Schmitt referenced the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s 1993 Immigration Stabilization Act as an example, highlighting historical bipartisan efforts to address similar concerns.

Schmitt questioned whether Democrats would shift their stance from current lenient immigration policies under President Biden to one aligning with citizen sovereignty. This shift, he argues, would better reflect the views of the American populace.

Alex Miller, a writer for Fox News Digital, specializes in covering issues related to the U.S. Senate.