A proposal to amend Brazil's Constitution so expatriates could elect their own representatives to their national congress is making headway in Brazil to the delight of a local Brazilian group.

The nine-member group led by Framingham businessman Pablo Maia, Pro-Citizenship United, received the news of the bill's approval by Brazil's Senate two weeks ago with high hopes.

'We need someone in congress who can take care of Brazilians who live abroad,' said Maia, who started the organization April last year. 'There is nobody who is representing the interests of Brazilians who live outside Brazil.'