Full Breakdown
Rep. Nancy Mace Proposes Constitutional Amendment to Bar Naturalized Citizens from Federal Office
5/21/2026, 8:49:10 AM
Proposed Amendment and Immediate Reaction
On Wednesday, May 20 2026, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced a joint resolution to amend the Constitution, requiring natural-born citizenship for members of the House, Senate, federal judges, and all Senate-confirmed officers. In an X post, Mace wrote that “the people writing America’s laws…should have one loyalty: America, not any other country.” She highlighted three Democratic lawmakers—Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Shri Thanedar (D-MI) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)—as naturalized officials she says lack that loyalty.
Constitutional Requirement Background
The Constitution already requires the President and Vice President to be natural-born citizens. No comparable requirement exists for members of Congress, federal judges, or other Senate-confirmed officers. Mace’s amendment would extend that clause to these offices, creating a uniform citizenship standard.
Naturalized Officeholders in Congress
Twenty-six House members are naturalized citizens—19 Democrats and 7 Republicans. In the Senate, six members—four Democrats and two Republicans—were also born abroad. The amendment would therefore affect a bipartisan group of elected officials.
Official Statements & Responses
Mace presented the amendment as a correction, saying it would end “foreign-born members…who are America last, not America first.” Rep. Jayapal called the resolution “racist legislation that denies the history of a country shaped by immigrants” and “narrow-minded, xenophobic.” Rep. Thanedar said that rising gas prices, unaffordable healthcare, and soaring housing costs illustrate the priorities he believes Mace should address instead of targeting naturalized members. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthy, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, the Asian Pacific American and Democratic Women’s caucuses described the amendment as morally wrong, hateful, and a targeted attack on progressive people.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics argue that the amendment is rooted in bigotry and would disenfranchise naturalized citizens who have been elected by their constituents. They note that the proposal disproportionately targets three Democratic lawmakers while ignoring the broader bipartisan presence of naturalized officials. The language used by Mace, such as “loyalty is not to America,” has been described as xenophobic and contrary to the nation’s immigrant heritage.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is the very same standard the President and Vice President are already required to meet.” — Nancy Mace, Representative (R-SC)
- “racist legislation that denies the very history of a country that has been proudly shaped by immigrants.” — Pramila Jayapal, Representative (D-WA)
- “Gas prices have skyrocketed, people can’t afford healthcare, and housing is through the roof,” — Shri Thanedar, Representative (D-MI)
- “We must stand shoulder-to-shoulder against the bigotry and hate behind it,” — Raja Krishnamoorthy, Congressman (R-CA)
What’s Next
Amending the Constitution requires a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate followed by ratification from three-fourths of state legislatures. Given the bipartisan composition of naturalized members and the strong opposition from Democratic leaders, the resolution faces significant procedural hurdles and is unlikely to advance without substantial legislative support.
