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In reply to the discussion: Now that it has nothing to do with current politics... [View all]Agnosticsherbet
(11,619 posts)7. This was actually suggested by Republicans...
Back when Arnold Schwartzenegger was the apple of Republican eyes, Republcans suggested laws that would define natural born as someone who had been a citizen for 20, 25, or 30 years.
http://www.legalzoom.com/us-law/immigration/arnold-schwarzenegger-president
The fight to change that, however, has already begun. Several legislators have proposed constitutional amendments, but ratifying them will be no easy task.
Amending the Constitution requires, first of all, that a bill be introduced in Congress. Senator Orin Hatch has introduced a bill that would allow immigrants who have been citizens for 20 years or more to run for president. In the House, Representative Rohrbacker proposed a similar bill, as did Representatives Sherman and Conyers. Additionally, Representatives Snyder, Frank, and Issa proposed an amendment that requires 35 years of citizenship for a naturalized citizen to run for president.
Any one of these proposed amendments could be adopted, but only after it passes both the House and the Senate by a two-thirds majority vote. After that, the bill would go to the state legislatures. If three-fourths (38) of the states vote to adopt the amendment, it would then become part of our Constitution.
Amending the Constitution requires, first of all, that a bill be introduced in Congress. Senator Orin Hatch has introduced a bill that would allow immigrants who have been citizens for 20 years or more to run for president. In the House, Representative Rohrbacker proposed a similar bill, as did Representatives Sherman and Conyers. Additionally, Representatives Snyder, Frank, and Issa proposed an amendment that requires 35 years of citizenship for a naturalized citizen to run for president.
Any one of these proposed amendments could be adopted, but only after it passes both the House and the Senate by a two-thirds majority vote. After that, the bill would go to the state legislatures. If three-fourths (38) of the states vote to adopt the amendment, it would then become part of our Constitution.
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Great idea though it will never happen. Way too much nativism in the US to expect that naturalized
pampango
Nov 2012
#11
Well, in point of fact, no, they are not. That's why we have a special term for the former.
WinkyDink
Nov 2012
#36
Except for the fact that my arguments aren't silly and don't deserve to be treated as such
Ken Burch
Nov 2012
#57
Thanks for answering. I would agree with you except for the fact that being a territory
Egalitarian Thug
Nov 2012
#39
I think Puerto Rican statehood, if it ever becomes a real issue, should be put to popular vote here.
cherokeeprogressive
Nov 2012
#46
Puerto Ricans are already US citizens. Why should they not become a state if they so desire? It's
pampango
Nov 2012
#21
As soon as we address the other 10,000 things that are more important. n/t
Egalitarian Thug
Nov 2012
#16
That is the problem with all of these suggestions to amend the Constitution...
Agnosticsherbet
Nov 2012
#25
It is because we are a large group of individuals, each with his or her own set issues.
Agnosticsherbet
Nov 2012
#28
Or simply with a requirement that you live in the country say, at least fifteen years first.
Ken Burch
Nov 2012
#50
where someone was born has just as little to do with loyalty as religion does
liberal_at_heart
Nov 2012
#47