Nancy Mace pushes ban on foreign-born lawmakers, targets Ilhan Omar and Pramila Jayapal

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Nancy Mace sparked backlash on Wednesday, May 20, after unveiling a proposal that would ban naturalized US citizens from serving in Congress and other high-ranking federal government positions.

The South Carolina Republican singled out Democratic lawmakers Ilhan Omar, Pramila Jayapal, and Shri Thanedar while arguing that people born outside the United States should not hold positions of major political power.

Nancy Mace says foreign-born lawmakers should not serve in Congress

Mace’s proposal would amend the US Constitution to prevent foreign-born American citizens from serving in the House or Senate, becoming federal judges, or holding Senate-confirmed government positions.

“Ilhan Omar. Shri Thanedar. Pramila Jayapal. All born in foreign countries, none were citizens by birth. All sitting in the United States Congress,” Mace wrote on X. “All making clear every single day their loyalty is not to America.” 

While introducing the legislation, Mace repeatedly argued that lawmakers serving in top federal positions should only include people born as US citizens.

“The people writing America’s laws, confirming America’s judges, and representing America on the world stage should have one loyalty: America. Not any other country,” Mace said.

“For too long we have allowed foreign born members to hold seats in this government while making clear they are America last, not America first,” she continued. “We see it every day.”

“This constitutional amendment will put an end to it,” Mace added.

Her proposal faces steep political hurdles. Constitutional amendments require approval by two-thirds of both chambers of Congress before being ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures.

Currently, 26 members of the House, including both Democrats and Republicans, were born outside the United States. Six senators were also born abroad.

Pramila Jayapal calls Nancy Mace proposal ‘racist legislation’

The proposal quickly drew angry reactions from the lawmakers Mace mentioned directly.

Jayapal, who was born in India and became a US citizen in 2000, strongly criticized the legislation and accused Mace of distracting from real economic problems Americans are facing.

“Instead of working to help the American people, as so many cannot keep the lights on, keep food on the table, or pay their rent, Nancy Mace is instead introducing racist legislation that denies the very history of a country that has been proudly shaped by immigrants,” Jayapal said in a statement.

She also argued that the proposal insulted voters who elected naturalized citizens into office.

“This is also insulting to the hundreds of thousands of constituents who elected naturalized citizens into office,” Jayapal added.

The congresswoman continued by pointing toward America’s immigrant roots while defending foreign-born lawmakers.

“With the exception of Native Americans, every person in this country, including Nancy Mace, is descended from immigrants,” she said.

“And America is made stronger by the people from across the world with diverse talents who come here to live and work.”

Jayapal also urged other lawmakers, including Republicans who became US citizens after being born abroad, to publicly condemn the amendment.

Shri Thanedar mocks Nancy Mace over amendment proposal

Thanedar, who was also born in India and became a US citizen in 1988, responded very differently.

Instead of issuing a formal statement, Thanedar mocked Mace in a social media post and launched a personal attack against the congresswoman.

“I’m introducing a resolution to ban congressmembers who make their staff vote for them as the ‘Hottest’ Woman in Congress from holding office,” Thanedar wrote on X.

“Get your drinking problem fixed before coming for those of us who worked hard to come here and contribute,” he added.

Meanwhile, Omar, who was born in Somalia and became a naturalized US citizen in 2000, did not publicly respond to the comments.