Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring Members of Congress to demonstrate competence in American civics.
- Bill Number
- H.J.Res. 146
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-31T09:18:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require individuals elected or appointed to Congress to show basic knowledge of how the U.S. government works under the Constitution.
Key Provisions
- Congress must create a civics examination every 10 years, aligned with the census used for apportioning House seats.
- The exam must test understanding of the constitutional system of government at a level expected for an average U.S. citizen.
- Each chamber of Congress must publish the exam questions and answers in its official journal and designate officers to administer the test at no cost to participants.
- Certificates are issued to those who pass.
- No person may serve as a Representative or Senator without passing the exam in effect at the time of their election or appointment, though each chamber may allow a post-election opportunity to demonstrate competence, either through the standard exam or another method approved by law.
- Congress may pass laws to enforce the amendment, and such laws would take effect without needing presidential approval.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The proposal would add a new eligibility requirement for serving in Congress, similar to existing constitutional rules on age and citizenship, but focused on demonstrated civics knowledge. It creates an ongoing congressional duty to maintain and update the examination every decade. The enforcement clause explicitly removes the need for presidential approval of related legislation, which differs from standard lawmaking procedures.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Congress would need to establish and manage the exam process, including publication and administration, potentially requiring new administrative roles or resources.
- On citizens: Candidates for Congress would face an additional qualification step, and voters might see changes in who qualifies to run; the public could access exam materials through congressional journals.
- On international relations: No direct effects are outlined in the resolution.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Current and prospective Members of Congress and their staff.
- State legislatures or conventions, which would need to ratify the amendment for it to take effect.
- U.S. citizens interested in running for federal office.
- The general public, through access to published exam materials.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
This would represent a constitutional change requiring approval by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states. The provision allowing enforcement legislation to bypass presidential approval raises questions about separation of powers. The amendment would alter eligibility rules for Congress without changing the core structure of the legislative branch.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-01-30: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring Members of Congress to demonstrate competence in American civics. — issued 2026-01-30 — PDF (3 pages)