A heated exchange reportedly broke out Tuesday during a House Oversight Committee markup when Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) confronted freshman Democrat Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) for interrupting him mid-sentence while he was speaking in support of legislation to add a citizenship question to the U.S. Census.
The committee was debating H.R. 151, the Equal Representation Act, which would require future censuses — starting in 2030 — to include a question about citizenship status. Biggs argued that the bill addresses a fundamental unfairness in congressional apportionment, pointing out that states with high numbers of illegal immigrants receive more seats in Congress and additional Electoral College votes.
“This bill corrects an inequity,” Biggs said. “Let me give you an example: How many people are in Congress from California that shouldn’t be here because you overcounted, including apportionment of illegal aliens? By some estimates, it’s as high as seven. My state has nine representatives. Will we lose some? My guess is we might lose—”
Frost abruptly cut him off, saying, “The Constitution is clear that we count persons, regardless of status.”
That’s when Biggs exploded.
“Okay, so from now on, when you are talking, I will interrupt you, okay? Is that fair?” Biggs shot back. “You were that rude. You didn’t even let me finish my comment.”
The Arizona Republican continued dressing down the 27-year-old Democrat.
“You had to make your point when you can raise your hand and say, ‘Hey, I’d like my five minutes.’ Now, while you’re doing your five minutes, should I just interrupt you all the time? No, I won’t,” Biggs said. “Because you know what? I have courtesy and respect — something you lack.”
California currently holds 52 House seats, 43 of which are controlled by Democrats. Illegal immigrant populations inflating representation has long been a concern for Republicans, who argue that blue states benefit disproportionately from noncitizen population counts — effectively giving Democrats extra political power at the expense of states that follow immigration laws.
Republicans have also highlighted past comments from Democrats openly admitting that migrant inflows can benefit them politically. During an Oct. 7, 2021 House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) said she wanted Haitian migrants in her district specifically to aid redistricting efforts.
“We have a diaspora that can absorb a significant number of these migrants,” Clarke said, adding, “I need more people in my district just for redistricting purposes.”
Biggs’ confrontation with Frost underscores the high stakes behind the Equal Representation Act. Adding a citizenship question would prevent illegal immigrants from being used to determine congressional seats and Electoral College votes — a change Republicans say is needed to restore fairness, accuracy, and integrity to the Census.
Democrats, however, insist that all residents — regardless of citizenship status — should be counted for political apportionment, even as they continue opposing any policy that would accurately measure how many noncitizens reside in the country.
The fiery committee exchange signals that the fight over who gets political representation in America — citizens or everyone physically present — is only just beginning.
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