Ilhan Omar Responds to GOP Proposal Targeting Foreign-Born Lawmakers

Rep. Ilhan Omar appeared unfazed when asked about a new Republican proposal that would bar foreign-born lawmakers from serving in Congress.

Omar, a Minnesota Democrat who was born in Somalia and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2000, was asked about the measure and responded briefly.

“Good luck to her,” Omar said when asked about the proposal.

The resolution was introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, who is calling for a constitutional amendment requiring members of Congress, federal judges and Senate-confirmed officials to be natural-born U.S. citizens.

The proposal would apply the same natural-born citizen requirement currently used for presidents and vice presidents to other major federal offices.

Mace specifically named Omar, Rep. Shri Thanedar and Rep. Pramila Jayapal in a post announcing the measure. All three were born outside the United States and later became American citizens.

Mace argued that people holding power in the federal government should be natural-born citizens and questioned the loyalty of foreign-born lawmakers.

There are currently 26 foreign-born members of Congress, including 19 Democrats and seven Republicans.

Omar said she is not concerned that the proposal will become law.

Changing the Constitution would be extremely difficult. A constitutional amendment would require approval from two-thirds of both the House and Senate, followed by ratification from three-fourths of U.S. states.

So far, the proposal has not gained major public support from House Republican leadership or a large group of co-sponsors.

Omar was also asked about another Republican proposal, the “Disqualifying Dual Loyalty Act,” introduced by Rep. Randy Fine. That bill would prevent people with dual citizenship from serving in Congress unless they renounce foreign citizenship.

Fine argued that lawmakers should owe allegiance only to the United States if they are serving in Congress.

That bill has not advanced significantly since being referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

The proposals have sparked debate over citizenship, loyalty and representation in Congress. Supporters say high-ranking federal officials should have no divided allegiance, while critics argue the measures unfairly target naturalized Americans who are full U.S. citizens under the Constitution.

Nancy Mace defended her proposal to restrict foreign-born citizens from serving in Congress, specifically naming Ilhan Omar.

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