I have read a lot about the controversy around "Birthright Citizenship". Folks for and against it use quotes from the 1866 debates in Congress (House and Senate) to support their position. Seems you can find both sides in the debate.
Below are screenshots of the actual record of the debate in the Senate just before the vote to approve the language of the 14th Amendment. This document can be found HERE. The debate I am interested in starts on page 2890 of the document.
If you have read anything on the issue, as you read these 3 pages, you will recognize various quotes that have been used extensively to support positions regarding birthright citizenship.
In the middle of the first page you will see "Reconstruction". Senator Howard introduces the amendment and gives brief commentary. There you will find a famous/infamous quote I see used very often.
After Howard's comments, you will find Senator Cowan's comments. He unabashedly takes the side of limiting the scope of birthright citizenship. You will find several quotes from him that have made it into contemporary criticism of birthright citizenship.
After Cowan, you will find Senator Conness takes the wider view of birthright citizenship. He unabashedly takes the view that children born "of all parentage whatever" are citizens of the United States.
BOTTOMLINE: This is the official record of the debate. Best one read from the PRIMARY source rather than cherry-picked quotes to justifiy a particular point of view.
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