GOP senators have no backup plan if Supreme Court kills Trump’s birthright citizenship order
by Alex Swoyer · The Washington TimesRepublican senators apparently have no Plan B if the Supreme Court sides against President Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship this month.
“Seen, Heard & Whispered” uncovered that GOP senators are waiting to see how the justices rule.
But they have not had any conversations about how to tackle a loss if the Trump administration suffers a setback when the Supreme Court is expected to issue its decision.
“There’s nothing — legislation — going on,” said Sen. Rick Scott, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “There’s no conversation up here, there is none.”
The Florida Republican said he is unaware of a single discussion about what to do with the birthright immigration issue. He also said it would be a difficult subject to negotiate because Democrats are doggedly anti-Trump and some Republicans are angry.
The high court in April heard arguments over Mr. Trump’s attempt to roll back birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants and temporary migrants.
The justices appeared skeptical of the administration’s arguments, and the president has indicated he expects to lose the case.
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The issue is whether the 14th Amendment, which guarantees automatic citizenship to children born under the “jurisdiction” of the U.S., was intended to include babies of illegal immigrants and temporary visitors.
An 1898 Supreme Court ruling, a 1940 law, and more than a century’s legal scholarship and official practice have backed the idea that the 14th Amendment does cover them.
The justices are expected to issue a decision by the end of June.
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Alex Swoyer
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