Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that certain individuals are natural born citizens.
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (21 Jul 2026): Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
What this bill does
H.J.Res. 204 is a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It would add a new article specifying that, notwithstanding Article III, no person who is not a "natural born citizen" may serve as a judge on the Supreme Court or on any inferior federal court. The provision would take effect six months after the amendment is ratified.
The amendment would primarily affect federal judges and judicial nominees. Under current law, Article III does not impose a natural-born-citizenship requirement on federal judges (unlike the separate requirement for the presidency). If adopted, this amendment would add such a requirement, meaning any current or future federal judge who is not a natural-born citizen would be affected once the six-month effective period passed. The bill text does not specify how existing judges who do not meet this requirement would be treated beyond that effective date.
The resolution was introduced on July 21, 2026, by Rep. Clay Fuller and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. As a proposed constitutional amendment, it would need to pass both the House and Senate by a two-thirds vote in each chamber, and then be ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states within seven years of submission to become part of the Constitution. At this stage, it has only been introduced and referred to committee; no further action has occurred.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
21 Jul 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Common questions
- What does H.J.Res. 204 do?
- H.J.Res. 204 is a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It would add a new article specifying that, notwithstanding Article III, no person who is not a "natural born citizen" may serve as a judge on the Supreme Court or on any inferior federal court. The provision would take effect six months after the amendment is ratified. The amendment would primarily affect federal judges and judicial nominees. Under current law, Article III does not impose a natural-born-citizenship requirement on federal judges (unlike the separate requirement for the presidency). If adopted, this amendment would add such a requirement, meaning any current or future federal judge who is not a natural-born citizen would be affected once the six-month effective period passed. The bill text does not specify how existing judges who do not meet this requirement would be treated beyond that effective date. The resolution was introduced on July 21, 2026, by Rep. Clay Fuller and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. As a proposed constitutional amendment, it would need to pass both the House and Senate by a two-thirds vote in each chamber, and then be ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states within seven years of submission to become part of the Constitution. At this stage, it has only been introduced and referred to committee; no further action has occurred.
- Has H.J.Res. 204 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.J.Res. 204. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.J.Res. 204?
- H.J.Res. 204 was sponsored by Rep. Fuller, Clay [R-GA-14] (R-GA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.J.Res. 204?
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (21 Jul 2026).
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