Declaration of Independence Reaffirmation Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 9589

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-07-02: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-07-07T04:53:30Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose The legislation reaffirms and re-adopts the Declaration of Independence as an Organic Law of the United States. It marks the 250th anniversary of American independence by emphasizing the document's role as the charter of national sovereignty, natural rights, equal citizenship, and government by consent.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: "Declaration of Independence Reaffirmation Act of 2026."
• Findings: Congress lists ten historical and principled statements, including the 1776 adoption of the Declaration, its recognition among Organic Laws, the reenactment of the Northwest Ordinance, congressional authority over foundational principles, and the link between the Declaration and the Constitution.
• Reaffirmation: Section 3 explicitly reaffirms the Declaration as an Organic Law and enduring charter.
• Text: Section 4 reproduces the full text of the Declaration of Independence in commemoration of the anniversary.

Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces no substantive alterations to statutes or regulations. It formally re-adopts the Declaration as an Organic Law, building on its existing recognition among foundational U.S. laws, without creating new legal obligations or repealing prior provisions.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Minimal direct effects; primarily symbolic for legislative and historical reference.
• Citizens: Reinforces national principles of equality, unalienable rights, and consent-based government.
• International Relations: No provisions address foreign policy or treaties.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Congress and federal lawmakers.
• American citizens and the general public.
• Legal scholars, historians, and educators interpreting foundational documents.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The measure underscores the Declaration's status alongside the Constitution in establishing popular sovereignty and republican government. It highlights the document's role in defining "one people" with rights to self-governance, potentially influencing interpretive debates on natural rights and political order, though it carries no enforceable new authority.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Van Epps, Matt [R-TN-7]

Cosponsors (15)

Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2], Rep. Fuller, Clay [R-GA-14], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6], Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Luttrell, Morgan [R-TX-8]

Recent Actions

• 2026-07-02: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2026-07-02: Introduced in House
• 2026-07-02: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Declaration of Independence Reaffirmation Act of 2026 — issued 2026-07-02 — PDF (11 pages)