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πΊπΈ Proposal Would Change Who Can Serve in the U.S. Government
πΊπΈ Proposal Would Change Who Can Serve in the U.S. Government
Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a constitutional amendment in May 2026 that would require members of Congress, federal judges and Senate-confirmed federal officials to be natural-born U.S. citizens.
The Constitution currently applies that requirement to the president and vice president.
Members of Congress instead have different citizenship requirements: at least seven years for House members and nine years for senators.
Mace specifically cited Democratic lawmakers Ilhan Omar, Pramila Jayapal and Shri Thanedar, all of whom were born outside the United States. However, the proposal would not apply only to Democrats.
Congressional records show that several Republican lawmakers were also born abroad and later became U.S. citizens.
If ratified, the amendment would represent a significant change to the eligibility rules for federal office.
Changing the Constitution requires approval by two-thirds of both the House and Senate, followed by ratification by three-quarters of the states.
The proposal has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee and has not