So where's your birth certificate, congressman?

From POLITICO's Kathryn McGarr:

Last week, POLITICO asked the 11 House Republicans co-sponsoring the so-called birther bill — requiring presidential candidates to prove they were born in the U.S.— for copies of their own birth certificates.

It is not, of course, a requirement for members of Congress to either produce a birth certificate or be natural-born citizens of the United States.

But we decided to ask anyway:

The bill’s original sponsor, Rep. Bill Posey of Florida, is out of the country but sent this e-mail: “I do not have a copy of my certificate handy, because there is no constitutional requirement for it.” He says he'd authorize us to get it from the Bureau of Vital Statistics, though, and will present a certified copy if he ever runs for president.

Some of the six Texans co-sponsoring the bill had an easier time of it, since the Houston Chronicle had already asked for their birth certificates.

But Texas Rep. Randy Neugebauer declined the chance to show his proof of birth. His staff sent a one-line e-mail response: “Congressman Neugebauer will not be submitting a copy of his birth certificate."

Reps. John Culberson of Texas and Bob Goodlatte of Virginia win the prize, for e-mailing digital versions of their certificates. Here's Goodlatte's, with an address redacted by us.

Reps. Kenny Marchant of Texas, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Dan Burton of Indiana faxed over copies.

Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert was in the Middle East, but his spokesperson said he’d be glad to provide it when he returns. Gohmert was “surprised” by the request, since there is no requirement for a member of Congress to have been born in the United States.

Rep. John Carter of Texas says he'll provide a letter of authorization for us to look at his original birth certificate in Austin, and the staff of John Campbell of California says they’re working on our request.

Texas Rep. Ted Poe's office hasn’t responded to the request.