Rep. Nancy Mace Introduces Joint Resolution Requiring Representatives, Senators, Judges, Federal Officers To Be Natural Born Citizens

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 20, 2026) - Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced a long overdue joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to require Members of Congress, federal judges, and Senate-confirmed officers of the United States to be natural born citizens.

The President and Vice President are already required to be natural born citizens. This amendment extends the requirement to Representatives, Senators, federal judges at every level, and all Senate-confirmed officers, including Ambassadors and public Ministers.

"If you hold power in the American government, you should be a natural born American citizen," said Congresswoman Mace. "This is not complicated. The people writing America's laws, confirming America's judges, and representing America on the world stage should have one loyalty: America. Not Somalia. Not any other country. 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."

Several foreign born lawmakers currently holding power in this government have made clear their loyalties do not lie with the American people.

Ilhan Omar is a prime example of why this amendment is necessary. She allegedly committed marriage and immigration fraud to get her brother into this country, is tied to millions in a Somali fraud case in her own state, and has made comments publicly about how she is "Somalia first." She has spewed hate towards law enforcement officers keeping innocent Americans safe, did not know how many World Wars have been fought, and has stood on American soil and said the United States is turning into one of the worst countries in the world.

"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."

If ratified, the amendment would take effect as follows:

• Representatives: January 3rd of the first odd-numbered calendar year following ratification
• Senators: January 3rd of the first odd-numbered calendar year following ratification, and applies to sitting senators when the term they were elected to expires
• Federal Judges: Six months following ratification
• Ambassadors and Senate-confirmed Officers: Six months following ratification

The resolution must pass both chambers of Congress by a two-thirds vote and be ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures to become law.

SEE TEXT BELOW:

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