A conservative commentator fumed at an outgoing Republican lawmaker Friday for taking up a new effort to strip constitutional rights from naturalized citizens.
Republican lawmakers at the state and federal level are pushing proposals to bar naturalized and dual citizens from holding various offices – from governor to federal judgeships, Cabinet positions or seats in Congress – and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) has specifically stated that some of her left-leaning colleagues were motivation for her joint resolution calling for a constitutional amendment on the issue.
"She's put forth a bill that would require members of Congress, federal judges and cabinet members to be natural-born citizens," said CNN's Audie Cornish. "I want to ask, when will I be American? I'm a naturalized citizen."
Conservative radio host Jason Rantz fielded her question on "CNN This Morning," and he had harsh words for Mace – who finished fifth in a South Carolina GOP gubernatorial primary in June.
"You should ask Nancy Mace that question," said Rantz. "She does not represent the mainstream of Republicans or Americans on this particular topic at all. This is being pursued by a small group of folks who are very loud, and to your point, a lot of the bills are already dead. So this is one of those issues that I think is a bad look when you're able to push it upon all Republicans. But all Republicans clearly do not hold this view."
Rantz conceded that perhaps Americans with dual citizenship should perhaps be barred from serving in some roles, but he again stated that naturalized citizens should enjoy full constitutional rights.
"You deserve rights, you deserve respect for agreeing with our culture, our values, our principles, and everything we stand for in this country, and this is a disgraceful bill by a disgraceful Nancy Mace, who's been rejected by Republicans," Rantz said. "Go away!"
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