Preserving Our Constitution Act of 2026

Bill Number: H.R. 9567
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-06-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Updated: 2026-07-06T13:38:29Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation aims to safeguard individual rights and liberties protected by the U.S. Constitution by preventing U.S. courts and other federal bodies from applying or enforcing foreign or religious laws that conflict with constitutional guarantees.

Key Provisions

Prohibition on incompatible laws: Federal entities, including courts and administrative bodies, may not recognize or enforce any foreign law, religious law, custom, or practice that conflicts with the Constitution or related U.S. laws.
Specific incompatible practices: These include unequal treatment based on gender, race, or religion; bans on changing religious beliefs; limits on speech or assembly; plural or forced marriages; violence against women and children; cruel punishments like stoning or amputation; and female genital mutilation.
Restrictions on application:
Courts cannot enforce contracts that choose incompatible foreign laws or foreign forums.
Foreign court decisions based on such laws cannot be recognized.
Cases cannot be dismissed if an alternative foreign forum would deny constitutional protections like due process.
Enforcement rules: Violations count as reversible errors on appeal, but the law creates no new lawsuits for damages or injunctions.
Severability and arbitration: Invalid parts do not affect the rest of the law; arbitration agreements remain enforceable unless they violate constitutional rights.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces explicit nationwide rules barring the use of certain foreign laws in U.S. proceedings, building on but formalizing the principle that U.S. public policy limits foreign law application. It adds detailed definitions and prohibitions not previously codified in a single federal statute, particularly targeting religious or customary laws in contract, family, and civil cases.

Potential Impacts

Government agencies: Federal courts, judges, and administrative bodies must review cases involving foreign elements for compliance, potentially increasing scrutiny in international disputes.
Citizens: Individuals gain stronger protections against foreign legal influences in matters like contracts, marriages, or custody, especially where rights to equality or freedom of belief are at stake.
International relations: Handling of cases with foreign parties or laws may become more restrictive, possibly complicating cross-border agreements or enforcement of judgments from certain countries.

Main Stakeholders Affected

U.S. citizens and residents involved in international contracts or family matters.
Federal courts and administrative agencies.
Parties from countries with legal systems differing from U.S. constitutional standards.
Businesses and individuals engaging in arbitration or foreign-related disputes.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The bill reinforces the Constitution's supremacy clause by treating it as the overriding standard for all adjudications. It raises questions about due process in international cases and may affect how U.S. courts balance comity with foreign nations against domestic rights protections. Politically, it emphasizes preserving U.S. legal traditions against external influences.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

Cosponsors (6)

Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2], Rep. Fuller, Clay [R-GA-14], Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10], Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]

Recent Actions

2026-06-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
2026-06-30: Introduced in House
2026-06-30: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Preserving Our Constitution Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-30 — PDF (7 pages)