House Speaker Johnson says Republicans will explore ways to limit birthright citizenship

House Speaker Mike Johnson told Fox News Sunday on July 5 that Republican lawmakers are "looking at all angles" to impose limits on birthright citizenship after the Supreme Court rejected President Donald Trump's executive order. Johnson said the House would move quickly, pursuing a legislative fix if possible or a constitutional amendment if needed.

Analysts note that the prospects for such action are slim. With narrow Republican margins in both chambers and a busy midterm election calendar, passing a controversial amendment—requiring two-thirds approval in both the House and Senate and ratification by three-quarters of the states—appears unlikely. Even a simpler bill, such as the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 introduced by Rep. Brian Babin and mirrored in the Senate by Sen. Lindsey Graham, stalled in committee last year and would still need Democratic support in the Senate.

President Trump has publicly urged Congress to end birthright citizenship, calling it "expensive and unfair" and promising his full support. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who joined the majority that struck down the president's order, wrote that while the order was unlawful, Congress retains the authority to enact new legislation creating exceptions to birthright citizenship, though no such law exists yet.

Some Republican members, including Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, have voiced opposition to the Supreme Court decision and called for action on the issue. However, with limited legislative time remaining before the August and October recesses and internal GOP disputes, any effort to change the 14th Amendment's citizenship provision is expected to face significant hurdles.

The debate may consume floor time ahead of the November elections, potentially affecting other legislative priorities.