Overview
- Rep. Nancy Mace introduced joint resolution H.J.Res.188 on Wednesday proposing a constitutional amendment to require members of Congress, federal judges and Senate‑confirmed officers to be natural‑born U.S. citizens.
- Mace singled out several naturalized lawmakers by name, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, and said the change is meant to ensure loyalty to the United States.
- The proposal prompted swift criticism from naturalized and other lawmakers who described it as xenophobic or racist and from civil‑rights groups that warned it targets immigrants of color.
- The resolution has no cosponsors and was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, and experts note that amending the Constitution would still require two‑thirds votes in both chambers plus ratification by three‑quarters of state legislatures.
- Coverage split along ideological lines with right‑leaning outlets stressing national‑security and loyalty arguments while left‑leaning outlets emphasized discrimination and political motives tied to Mace’s South Carolina gubernatorial campaign.