Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide that Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the number of persons in each State who are citizens of the United States.

House Joint Resolution

H.J.Res. 37

119th Congress

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide that Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the number of persons in each State who are citizens of the United States.

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 6, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Virginia Foxx

Representative

Republican

NC-5

Cosponsors

6

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Congress

Summary

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to base House of Representatives apportionment on U.S. citizen population rather than total population. Currently, congressional seats are divided among states based on total residents including non-citizens. This change would shift representation from states with large non-citizen populations to states with higher citizen percentages.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to base House of Representatives apportionment on U.S. citizen population rather than total population. Currently, congressional seats are divided among states based on total residents including non-citizens. This change would shift representation from states with large non-citizen populations to states with higher citizen percentages.

Last updated: 12/30/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

<p>This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to require that the seats in the House of Representatives be divided among the states based on their share of U.S. citizens rather than their share of the total U.S. population.</p>

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Proposes constitutional amendment on apportionment
Bases House seats on citizen population only
Excludes non-citizens from representation count
Would require ratification by 38 states
Changes 14th Amendment apportionment method
Would shift congressional seats between states

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This proposed constitutional amendment would fundamentally change how congressional representation is calculated. States with large immigrant populations, particularly California, Texas, New York, and Florida, would likely lose House seats, while states with smaller non-citizen populations would gain representation. The change reflects ongoing debates about immigration and representation. As a constitutional amendment, it requires two-thirds approval in both chambers and ratification by 38 states—a high bar for passage.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Congress

Related Subjects

Citizenship and naturalization

Congressional districts and representation

Constitution and constitutional amendments

House of Representatives

Political representation

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

37, 119th Congress (2025). "Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide that Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the number of persons in each State who are citizens of the United States.". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hjres-37