Republican proposes amendment to bar foreign-born officials

A Republican lawmaker has introduced a constitutional amendment that would bar foreign-born individuals from serving in Congress, the federal judiciary, and other high-level government positions, a proposal that has drawn sharp criticism from several of the colleagues it would directly affect. Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina announced the joint resolution, which would extend the existing constitutional requirement that presidents and vice presidents be natural-born citizens to members of the House and Senate, federal judges, and Senate-confirmed officers.

Mace argued the measure is necessary to ensure undivided loyalty to the United States among those holding significant power. She specifically named three Democratic colleagues in a social media post announcing the proposal: Representatives Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Shri Thanedar of Michigan, and Pramila Jayapal of Washington. All three were born outside the United States and later became naturalized citizens. Mace stated that these individuals, and others like them, demonstrate loyalty to other nations rather than to America.

When asked about the proposal, Omar dismissed it. She told a reporter, "Good luck to her,"...