Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that any Representative or Senator be a natural born citizen.
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (23 Jul 2026): Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
What this bill does
H.J.Res. 206 proposes a constitutional amendment that would require members of Congress—both Representatives and Senators—to be "natural born" citizens of the United States. Currently, the Constitution requires only that Representatives and Senators be U.S. citizens for a set number of years (seven for the House, nine for the Senate); it does not require them to be citizens by birth. The amendment would add that stricter requirement. It includes a transition provision: any sitting member of Congress at the time of ratification who is not a natural born citizen could finish out their current term, but could not be reelected or otherwise serve afterward.
The change would primarily affect naturalized citizens who might otherwise seek or hold seats in the House or Senate, barring them from future service in Congress even if currently eligible under existing rules. It would not affect eligibility for other offices, such as the presidency, which already has a natural-born-citizen requirement.
As a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment, it requires approval by two-thirds of both the House and Senate, followed by ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years, rather than the President's signature. The bill was introduced on July 23, 2026, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where it currently awaits further action.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
23 Jul 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Common questions
- What does H.J.Res. 206 do?
- H.J.Res. 206 proposes a constitutional amendment that would require members of Congress—both Representatives and Senators—to be "natural born" citizens of the United States. Currently, the Constitution requires only that Representatives and Senators be U.S. citizens for a set number of years (seven for the House, nine for the Senate); it does not require them to be citizens by birth. The amendment would add that stricter requirement. It includes a transition provision: any sitting member of Congress at the time of ratification who is not a natural born citizen could finish out their current term, but could not be reelected or otherwise serve afterward. The change would primarily affect naturalized citizens who might otherwise seek or hold seats in the House or Senate, barring them from future service in Congress even if currently eligible under existing rules. It would not affect eligibility for other offices, such as the presidency, which already has a natural-born-citizen requirement. As a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment, it requires approval by two-thirds of both the House and Senate, followed by ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years, rather than the President's signature. The bill was introduced on July 23, 2026, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where it currently awaits further action.
- Has H.J.Res. 206 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.J.Res. 206. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.J.Res. 206?
- H.J.Res. 206 was sponsored by Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10] (R-PA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.J.Res. 206?
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (23 Jul 2026).
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