House to Vote on Resolution Condemning Cities That Allow Illegal Alien Voting
By RJ Hauman | September 21, 2018
Next week the House will vote on a nonbinding resolution introduced by Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) that admonishes U.S. cities for allowing illegal aliens to vote in local elections. Similar to the resolution passed by the House in July expressing support for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), this measure has no force in law.
The text of the resolution (H.Res.1071) says:
Recognizing that allowing illegal immigrants the right to vote devalues the franchise and diminishes the voting power of United States citizens.
Whereas voting is fundamental to a functioning democracy;
Whereas the Constitution prohibits discrimination in voting based on race, sex, poll taxes, and age;
Whereas it is of paramount importance that the United States maintains the legitimacy of its elections and protects them from interference, including interference from foreign threats and illegal voting;
Whereas the city of San Francisco, California, is allowing non-citizens, including illegal immigrants, to register to vote in school board elections; and
Whereas Federal law prohibits non-citizens from voting in elections for Federal office: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of Representatives recognizes that allowing illegal immigrants the right to vote devalues the franchise and diminishes the voting power of United States citizens.
In an exclusive interview with Breitbart News, McCarthy said efforts to give illegal aliens voting rights hurt American citizens and legal immigrants:
“Naturalized American citizens often describe casting their first ballot as one of the proudest moments of their lives. The act is a reminder that they have become Americans, with all the rights and responsibilities of Americans. Unfortunately, a handful of cities like Chicago, Cambridge, and most recently San Francisco allow illegal immigrants to vote in local elections. These radical policies weaken the voting power of law-abiding Americans, including naturalized citizens. Today I introduced a resolution stating that allowing illegal immigrants to vote devalues the franchise and diminishes the voting power of American citizens. I hope my colleagues will stand with me in protecting the right to vote for every American citizen of legal age, and rejecting all outside or foreign interference in our elections.”
What is the point in doing this? It is simple. Democrats will likely oppose the resolution en masse, so it may help draw a clear contrast with Republicans ahead of the midterms. However, that will likely be a tough sell to voters, considering that House Republicans refuse to fund the border wall and have accomplished very little on immigration in the 115th Congress.