A new proposal from Rep. Nancy Mace would dramatically expand who can hold power in the federal government by requiring many top officials to be natural-born citizens of the United States.
According to Fox News, the South Carolina Republican plans to introduce a constitutional amendment that would bar naturalized citizens from serving in Congress, sitting on the federal bench, or holding Senate-confirmed positions in the executive branch.
Under the Constitution, only natural-born citizens are currently prohibited from serving as president or vice president.
Mace’s proposal would apply that same standard across much of the federal government.
“If you hold power in the American government, you should be a natural-born American citizen,” Mace told Fox News Digital in a statement. “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.”
Mace, who is running for governor in South Carolina, singled out Rep. Ilhan Omar while defending the measure.
“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,” Mace said. “The American people deserve leaders who put America first. This amendment closes a gap in our Constitution long overdue for closing.”
Omar, who was born in Somalia and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2000, has faced increased scrutiny from Republicans in recent months over questions surrounding her immigration history.
Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that the Justice Department is investigating Omar for possible immigration fraud. Some Republicans have also called for her deportation if wrongdoing is uncovered.
The proposed amendment, however, would impact lawmakers from both parties — including several Republicans.
Among those who could become ineligible under the measure is Sen. Bernie Moreno, a Trump ally born in Colombia who became a U.S. citizen at age 18.
Republican Reps. Juan Ciscomani, Young Kim, and Victoria Spartz would also be affected because they immigrated to the United States before becoming citizens.
Democrats, including Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Ted Lieu, Robert Garcia, and Raja Krishnamoorthi would also fall under the restriction.
Former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas likewise would have been barred from Cabinet service under the proposal.
The amendment faces long odds in Congress. Constitutional amendments require approval from two-thirds of both the House and Senate before being ratified by three-fourths of the states.
Even so, the proposal is expected to intensify an already heated debate over immigration, national loyalty, and who should be allowed to serve in America’s highest offices.
