Natural-born citizenship amendment proposed for US Congress, federal judges, and Senate-confirmed officers

A Republican member of the US House of Representatives proposed a constitutional amendment on Wednesday. The measure required many senior officials to be natural-born US citizens. The proposal covered members of Congress, federal judges, and Senate-confirmed officers. It could affect more than a dozen lawmakers, including Ilhan Omar and Pramila Jayapal.

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The joint resolution came from Congresswoman Nancy Mace. The source text also described Mace as a representative from South Carolina. Under the proposal, the natural-born rule extended beyond the President and Vice President. It applied to Representatives, Senators, judges at every level, and Senate-confirmed posts.

Natural-born citizens amendment and who it covered

The proposal included Senate-confirmed roles such as Ambassadors and public Ministers. Mace argued the change aligned with rules for the top two elected offices. The stated aim was to apply one citizenship standard across key government positions. The amendment sought to change the US Constitution, not ordinary law.

There were 19 foreign-born members of Congress at the time cited. Some counted as natural-born citizens because at least one parent was a US citizen. The proposal could still affect more than a dozen sitting members. The source noted it also included a few Republicans among those potentially impacted.

Natural-born citizens proposal and Nancy Mace statements

"If you hold power in the American government, you should be a natural-born American citizen,\" Mace, a representative from South Carolina, said in a statement here. \"This is not complicated. The people writing Americas laws, confirming Americas judges, and representing America on the world stage should have one loyalty: America. Not Somalia. Not any other country,\" she said, in a reference to Omar, the Democrat from Minnesota known for her left-leaning views and often the target of conservatives.

\"For too long we have allowed foreign born members to hold seats in this government while making clear their loyalty is not here. We see it every day. This amendment puts an end to it,\" Mace said. Mace also alleged that some foreign-born officials did not place loyalty with Americans. The statement presented Ilhan Omar as the main example.

Natural-born citizens amendment and allegations about Ilhan Omar

Mace said Omar \"allegedly committed marriage and immigration fraud to get her brother into this country\". Mace also said Omar \"is tied to millions in a Somali fraud case in her own state\". Mace added that Omar \"has made comments publicly about how she is Somalia first.\" These claims were included as reasons for the amendment.

\"Ilhan Omar is just one of many foreign born members of this government who have made clear, time and again, their loyalty is not here,\" added Mace. \"The American people deserve leaders who put America first. This amendment closes a gap in our Constitution long overdue for closing,\" she said. The proposal stood as a step towards adding new eligibility rules for officeholders.

With inputs from PTI