Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY-04) introduced a bill on Wednesday requiring candidates running for federal office to disclose whether they possess dual citizenship and to what countries their dual citizenship is held.
If this bill became level, candidates with dual citizenship status would publicly appear in a statement of candidacy when they seek federal office.
“Dual citizens elected to the United States Congress should renounce citizenship in all other countries,” said Massie. “At a minimum, they should disclose their citizenship in other countries and abstain from votes specifically benefitting those countries.
“If we are going to continue to allow Members of Congress to acquire and retain citizenship in other countries, they should at least be required to disclose to voters all countries of which they consider themselves to be citizens,” he added.
The Dual Loyalty Disclosure Act would make changes to the Federal Election Campaign Act, which “bans foreign nationals from making contributions either directly or through any person in connection with election to any political office.”
Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA-14), and Representative Clay Higgins (R-LA-03) are other co-sponsors of this bill.
Representative Tim Burhett (R-TN-02) introduced a similar bill last year, the Dual Citizenship Disclosure Act. However, the House did not pass this bill.
This bill would have required foreign national candidates who take public office “shall file with the appropriate congressional ethics committee a statement describing the Member’s status as a foreign national.”
If a foreign national failed to follow this procedure, the person could have faced a fine of up to $2,500.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at zschmidt1717@gmail.com. Follow Zachery on Twitter @zacheryschmidt2.
Photo “Thomas Massie” by Thomas Massie.
