Skip to content
Govbase
Govbase
Congress·In Committee·H.J.Res. 188

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that certain individuals are natural born citizens.

Rep. Mace Proposes Constitutional Amendment Requiring Members of Congress and Judges to be Natural Born Citizens

This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and is being reviewed by the House Committee on the Judiciary. It was recently introduced and has not yet been scheduled for a vote. The bill is not currently moving forward.

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law
Very unlikely to pass

Constitutional amendments are very hard to pass because they need huge majorities in Congress and the support of almost every state. This specific idea does not have the broad support needed to succeed.

Key Points

ImmigrationCivil Rights

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Naturalized citizens would be permanently barred from serving as members of Congress, federal judges, ambassadors, and any other Senate-confirmed position. While relatively few naturalized citizens currently hold or seek these roles, the amendment would create a formal, constitutional distinction between naturalized and natural born citizens that does not currently exist in most of these offices, sending a powerful signal about who is considered fully eligible to participate in government at the highest levels.

No person who is not a natural born citizen may be a Representative.
4
1
2
5
-4
ImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
May 20, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

May 20, 2026

Introduced in House

The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.

Votes

No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.

Related News

3 articles
Republican Nancy Mace introduces amendment to ban foreign-born citizens from serving in Congress
independent.co.uk logoThe Independent·22 days ago

Republican Nancy Mace introduces amendment to ban foreign-born citizens from serving in Congress

Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a joint resolution seeking to amend the U.S. Constitution to require federal judges, members of Congress, and all Senate-confirmed officials to be natural-born citizens. Mace specifically targeted Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar in her announcement, asserting that leaders should have loyalty solely to America. The proposal faces steep odds, requiring a two-thirds majority in both chambers and ratification by 38 states.

Center
Mace introduces constitutional amendment to require natural-born citizenship for Congress, federal judges
foxnews.com logoFox News·22 days ago

Mace introduces constitutional amendment to require natural-born citizenship for Congress, federal judges

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) plans to introduce a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment requiring members of Congress, federal judges and other Senate-confirmed appointees to be natural-born citizens. Mace told Fox News Digital that the amendment 'closes a gap in our Constitution' and ensures that those writing laws and representing the U.S. abroad have undivided loyalty to the country.

Right
Nancy Mace Introduces Resolution to Require Natural-Born Citizenship for High Office
redstate.com logoRedState·21 days ago

Nancy Mace Introduces Resolution to Require Natural-Born Citizenship for High Office

Republican Representative Nancy Mace has introduced a resolution to begin the process of amending the Constitution to require that anyone elected to the Senate or House, or appointed to high federal office, must be a natural-born citizen. Mace argued that the founders' original intent for the presidency should be expanded to include all those who hold significant power over American law and policy.

Right

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that certain individuals are natural born citizens.

Bill NumberHJRES 188
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.