A newly proposed bill, introduced by Representative Jim Jordan on July 30, 2025, seeks to mandate that all members of Congress be natural-born U.S. citizens, aligning their eligibility with the presidency’s constitutional requirement. The legislation aims to ensure lawmakers have deep-rooted ties to American values, citing concerns about foreign influence in government. Supporters argue it strengthens national loyalty, pointing to the Constitution’s requirement for presidents to be natural-born citizens under Article II, Section 1. A July Rasmussen poll shows 46% of Americans favor stricter eligibility rules, reflecting distrust in Washington’s current makeup.
Currently, the Constitution requires House members to be U.S. citizens for seven years and senators for nine, allowing foreign-born citizens like Senator Mazie Hirono, born in Japan, to serve. The bill would exclude such lawmakers, potentially affecting 18 foreign-born members of the 118th Congress, per Pew Research. Proponents, including Jordan, claim it ensures allegiance to U.S. interests, especially amid tensions over policies like mass deportations.
Critics, including Representative Ted Lieu, argue the bill discriminates against naturalized citizens, undermining the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause. They highlight contributions from immigrant lawmakers, like Representative Pramila Jayapal, who advocate for democracy. Legal scholars warn the bill could violate the Supreme Court’s 1995 ruling in Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton, which bars adding qualifications beyond the Constitution’s. Opponents also note the irony, given Trump’s own foreign-born appointees. The bill faces a tough path, requiring a constitutional amendment with two-thirds congressional approval and three-fourths of states.
