Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a proposed constitutional amendment that would bar naturalized U.S. citizens from serving in Congress, becoming federal judges, or holding Senate-confirmed roles. The move comes with immediate attention on the lawmakers and judges wh
A constitutional amendment proposed by Rep. Nancy Mace would draw a hard line around who can hold major federal power. On Wednesday. the South Carolina Republican—who is running for governor—said she introduced a “long overdue joint resolution” that would prohibit naturalized U.S. citizens from serving in Congress, serving as federal judges, or holding any Senate-confirmed roles.
Mace framed her proposal as a question of loyalty. In a post on X. she said the measure would apply “the very same standard the President and Vice President are already required to meet.” Her message made the stakes personal and pointed. zeroing in on people she described as being born outside the United States.
Mace posted pictures of three foreign-born Democrats: Representatives Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. Shri Thanedar of Michigan and Pramila Jayapal of Washington. In her words. “The people writing America’s laws. confirming America’s judges. and representing America on the world stage should have one loyalty: America. Not any other country.”.
She added, “For too long we have allowed foreign born members to hold seats in this government while making clear they are America last, not America first. We see it every day. This constitutional amendment will put an end to it.”
The question for lawmakers and voters now is not abstract. As of May, there are 26 House representatives and six senators who were born in foreign countries but are U.S. citizens, according to official documents. That group includes 23 Democrats and nine Republicans.
At the center of Mace’s proposal is a distinction between being U.S.-born and being naturalized. Her amendment, as she described it, would focus on the status of naturalized citizens—shifting what eligibility means for Congress, federal judgeships, and Senate-confirmed roles.
The sequence is straightforward: Mace’s proposal would change eligibility rules, and the list of foreign-born U.S. citizens already in federal office—spanning 26 House members and six senators—shows how many people would be forced to confront what those rules could mean in practice. For now, the story remains in motion, and it is developing.
Nancy Mace constitutional amendment naturalized citizens Congress eligibility federal judges Senate-confirmed roles Ilhan Omar Shri Thanedar Pramila Jayapal
So basically she wants to ban naturalized people? That seems… not very American.
I mean I get “loyalty” I guess but like, are they gonna check everyone’s passport history before every vote? This is gonna get messy fast. Also the article keeps saying born outside the US like that automatically means something. Weird.
This is about judges right? Like if she passes it then all those foreign born judges get kicked out, but what about Supreme Court already? Not saying I’m against it but the timing seems off. Idk why people act like naturalized = not loyal… seems like just politics again.
The headline made me think she’s trying to change who can be in Congress like immediately, but now it sounds like a constitutional amendment which takes forever. Meanwhile she’s posting pics of Omar and them… I’m like ok but loyalty is such a vague thing. Also doesn’t this contradict what the Constitution already says about citizenship? People are gonna be arguing about “America first” while saying nothing about actual policy.