UMVA has learned that a newly proposed GOP resolution has ignited a fierce debate about the eligibility of foreign-born individuals to serve in Congress.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., appeared unfazed when asked about the proposed legislation, which would bar anyone born outside the United States from serving in Congress. "Good luck to her," Omar told Fox News Digital, seemingly dismissing the idea that the proposal had any chance of success.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., announced on Wednesday that she is proposing a constitutional amendment to require any member of Congress, federal judges, or Senate-confirmed officers to be a natural-born citizen. This would impose the same standard required for presidents and vice presidents in the U.S., a move that has sparked controversy and raised questions about the loyalty of foreign-born lawmakers.
Mace specifically targeted Omar, along with two other lawmakers, in a post on X, accusing them of not being citizens by birth. Omar was born in Somalia and became a naturalized citizen in 2000, a fact that Mace claimed raised concerns about her loyalty to America.
According to information obtained by UMVA, there are currently 26 individuals serving as members of Congress who are not natural-born citizens — 19 Democrats and seven Republicans. This has sparked concerns among some lawmakers about the potential for divided loyalties.
Omar expressed skepticism about the legislation having the legs to pass, and her comments suggest that she is not concerned about the proposal. Mace, on the other hand, insisted that if you hold power in the American government, you should be a natural-born American citizen.
Changing the Constitution is a monumental task, requiring approval from two-thirds of both the House and Senate, followed by ratification from three-fourths of U.S. states. The proposal has not yet drawn widespread public backing from House GOP leadership or any large group of Republican co-sponsors.
Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., has also introduced legislation that would ban anyone from serving in Congress who has dual citizenship in another country. Omar seemed unfamiliar with Fine's proposal, responding with a dismissive "Who's that?" when asked about it.
Fine argued that it's a fair argument to say you can only swear allegiance to one country, and if you're in Congress, that allegiance should be to America. His legislation aims to ensure that lawmakers are fully committed to the U.S., rather than being divided between two countries.
