Representative Nancy Mace Proposes Amendment on Naturalized Citizens’ Eligibility for Congress

Proposed Amendment by Representative Nancy Mace

Representative Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, has introduced a constitutional amendment aimed at preventing naturalized U.S. citizens from serving as members of Congress, federal judges, or holding Senate-confirmed roles. In a post on X, Mace explained that the amendment sets the same standard already required for the President and Vice President, who must be natural-born citizens.

Current Constitutional Requirements

Under the current U.S. Constitution, the President and Vice President must be natural-born citizens, whereas members of Congress only need to be U.S. citizens. As of May, the House includes 26 representatives born abroad but who are U.S. citizens, and the Senate has six such members. Among them are 23 Democrats and nine Republicans, according to official records.

Mace’s Criticism of Foreign-Born Lawmakers

Mace particularly pointed to Representatives Ilhan Omar, Shri Thanedar, and Pramila Jayapal, who are foreign-born but serve in the U.S. Congress. She criticized these members by saying that their loyalty does not lie with America. According to Mace, foreign-born individuals in government are putting other countries before the U.S., which she sees as a problem needing resolution through her proposed amendment.

Opposition Views

Pramila Jayapal criticized the amendment, calling it narrow-minded and xenophobic. Jayapal urged other members of Congress, including naturalized Republican colleagues, to oppose the proposal. Shri Thanader also voiced disagreement with Mace’s approach, questioning her priorities and dismissing any issues she pointed out.

Profiles of Foreign-Born U.S. Legislators

The list of Senators born abroad includes:

• Michael Bennet (D‑CO) — India
• Ted Cruz (R‑TX) — Canada
• Tammy Duckworth (D‑IL) — Thailand
• Mazie Hirono (D‑HI) — Japan
• Bernie Moreno (R‑OH) — Colombia
• Chris Van Hollen (D‑MD) — Pakistan

Representatives born abroad include:

• Becca Balint (D‑VT) — Germany
• Don Beyer (D‑VA) — Free Territory of Trieste
• Salud Carbajal (D‑CA) — Mexico
• Sean Casten (D‑IL) — Ireland
• Juan Ciscomani (R‑AZ) — Mexico
• Andrew Clyde (R‑GA) — Canada
• Dan Crenshaw (R‑TX) — Scotland
• Sharice Davids (D‑KS) — Germany
• Diana DeGette (D‑CO) — Japan
• Adriano Espaillat (D‑NY) — Dominican Republic
• Jesús “Chuy” García (D‑IL) — Mexico
• Robert Garcia (D‑CA) — Peru
• Carlos A. Giménez (R‑FL) — Cuba
• Jim Himes (D‑CT) — Peru
• Pramila Jayapal (D‑WA) — India
• Young Kim (R‑CA) — South Korea
• Raja Krishnamoorthi (D‑IL) — India
• Ted Lieu (D‑CA) — Taiwan
• Ilhan Omar (D‑MN) — Somalia
• David Rouzer (R‑NC) — Germany
• Raul Ruiz (D‑CA) — Mexico
• Victoria Spartz (R‑IN) — Ukraine
• Marilyn Strickland (D‑WA) — South Korea
• Shri Thanedar (D‑MI) — India
• Norma Torres (D‑CA) — Guatemala
• Eugene Simon Vindman (D‑VA) — Ukraine