Cruz: Trump Has 'Constitutional Responsibility' To Put Citizenship Question on Census
The Supreme Court recently ruled against the Trump administration’s recent efforts to put a citizenship question on the 2020 long-form census.
Although Article 1, section 2 of the U.S. Constitution mandates Congress carry out the census in “such manner as they shall by Law direct,” the court ruled that asking a census respondent whether he or she is a citizen did not pass scrutiny.
If that sounds like complete nonsense to you, you are not alone.
Sen. Ted Cruz is frustrated about the court’s ruling and wasn’t afraid to be blunt about his feelings when he appeared Tuesday on “America’s News Room” on the Fox News Channel.
“This is just common sense,” Cruz said. “The Constitution gives to the federal government the responsibility to do a census every 10 years. That census needs to be an accurate count. It needs to count the people who are in this country and for virtually every census for over a century, it has included the question ‘Are you a citizen or not?'”
The debate surrounding the question has brought a firestorm of controversy. Detractors argue that even asking the question is racist and harms immigrants in America. However, advocates argue the question helps obtain a more accurate count and assists in addressing solutions related to the immigration crisis happening in America.
Regardless of the end purpose, Cruz said that it is better to know than not know.
“One of the problems as we are debating public policy it that a lot is unknown,” Cruz said. “For example, you can see you see the figure that are 11 to 12 million illegal aliens. You see that bandied around quite a bit. The truth of the matter is no one really knows whether that is 11 or 12 million, or 20 million, or a bigger number. So, it’s important that the census do an accurate count. And it’s basic common sense that you ask about citizenship.”
“So it’s important that the census do an accurate count. And it’s basic common sense that you ask about citizenship.” – @SenTedCruz pic.twitter.com/OS5CjaqRlH
— Shaun Hair (@Exec_Edtr_WJ) July 9, 2019
Cruz admitted he was frustrated with Chief Justice John Roberts’ opinion in the case.
“I will say Chief Justice Roberts’ opinion in that case was disappointing,” Cruz said. “The Chief Justice sided with the liberal justices.”
But the battle is not over. In fact, as Cruz pointed out, the court left room for the question to still be on the census. “But the Supreme Court majority says quite clearly, of course, you can ask this question. And that ain’t complicated,” he said.
The mainstream media would have us all believe that President Donald Trump is the first president to propose such an outlandish question, but that’s simple not true.
“As a legal matter, virtually every census for over a hundred years has asked the question,” Cruz pointed out. “Bill Clinton asked the question whether there was citizenship. Barack Obama asked the question whether there was citizenship.”
Cruz made it clear he is glad the Trump administration is moving forward with its efforts to get the question on the census.
“I am heartened that both the president and Attorney General Barr have indicated their intention to go forward as the clear authority of the president and the administration,” Cruz said.
“In fact, it’s a constitutional responsibility and they need to do it, and they need to do it accurately. They need to do it right. Part of doing it right is asking basic questions including ‘Are you a citizen?’”
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