This week, the 14th Amendment, which grants automatic citizenship to anyone born in the United States, has been the topic du jour for Republicans. A number of them, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, would like to hold hearings to discuss the amendment's legitimacy. That prompted Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to deliver a rousing rejoinder on Tuesday. Quoting Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson, Reid said Republicans have "either taken leave of their senses or their principles."

Today, Lindsey Graham appeared on Fox News to fire back:

Have I taken leave of my senses by looking at a law that rewards people who break our own laws, that incentivizes the next wave of illegal immigration? Am I being unfair to say that we're gonna grant citizenship on our terms, not yours? Am I being unfair to say that we don't want laws in place that will require the third wave of illegal immigrants to be dealt with?

Most Americans find it odd that if you break our law, come to one of our hospitals, have a child, and that child becomes a citizen and we pay for the hospital pay, you turn around and leave, that that's not a really logical way to grant citizenship. Most Americans are offended that you could buy a visa, come over here, have your baby in America, turn around and leave, and you get citizenship through that process. I don't think that makes sense. Most countries don't do it.

Want to add to this story? Let us know in comments or send an email to the author at jhudson at theatlantic dot com. You can share ideas for stories on the Open Wire.
John Hudson