Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Senate's current cloture and filibuster rules are contrary to the constitutional design of two co-equal majoritarian legislative bodies, are non-deliberative in practice, disenfranchise Members of the House of Representatives and their constituents, and disrupt the proper balance of powers between the two chambers of Congress, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1369
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-15: Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-16T20:49:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H. Res. 1369
Purpose
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Senate's current rules on cloture and the filibuster contradict the Constitution's design for two equal legislative chambers that both follow majority rule. It argues these rules hinder deliberation, reduce the House's influence, and upset the balance between the chambers. The resolution calls for the Senate to change its procedures to allow majority votes on legislation.
Key Provisions
- Section 1 outlines detailed findings on the filibuster:
- The Constitution's framers intended both the House and Senate to operate as majoritarian bodies, rejecting supermajority rules for regular laws except in six specific cases listed in the Constitution.
- The modern filibuster (post-1975 changes) allows a minority of 41 senators to block votes without debate or presence on the floor, unlike the original version that required ongoing discussion.
- This setup prevents House-passed bills from getting Senate consideration, effectively giving a minority veto.
- It cites historical sources like the Federalist Papers and Supreme Court cases (e.g., INS v. Chadha) to support that such rules undermine bicameralism and majority will.
- Section 2 adds findings that the filibuster subverts the Constitution's bicameral system and disenfranchises House members and voters. It states the sense of the House that the Senate should:
- Reform or end its cloture and filibuster rules to restore majority rule.
- Ensure House-passed bills get timely Senate floor votes decided by majority.
- Protect minority rights to debate and amend but prevent permanent blocks on majority action.
- Section 3 requires the House Clerk to send copies of the resolution to Senate leaders and all senators.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This non-binding resolution introduces no changes to law or Senate rules. It is an expression of opinion only and does not alter procedures, require Senate action, or modify the Constitution.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies and Congress: It could increase pressure on the Senate to adjust its rules, potentially speeding up legislation but risking more partisan gridlock or rushed bills. No direct effect on executive agencies.
- On citizens: It highlights how Senate rules may reduce the weight of votes from House districts, though no immediate change to voting rights occurs.
- On international relations: No noted effects, as the resolution focuses solely on domestic legislative processes.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Members of the House of Representatives and their constituents, whose passed legislation may be blocked.
- U.S. Senators and Senate leadership, who control internal rules.
- The broader public, through impacts on lawmaking efficiency and representation.
- No direct involvement for the executive branch or courts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The resolution raises constitutional questions by arguing the filibuster violates Article I's bicameral design, majority rule principles from the Federalist Papers, and equal chamber standing, potentially conflicting with Senate Rule XXII on cloture.
- It references Supreme Court precedents on legislative procedures and voting rights (e.g., Reynolds v. Sims) to claim the rules dilute House representation.
- Politically, it underscores tensions between chambers, with the House asserting its majoritarian role against Senate minority protections, though enforcement remains limited as a "sense of the House" measure.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-15: Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
- 2026-06-15: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Senate’s current cloture and filibuster rules are contrary to the constitutional design of two co-equal majoritarian legislative bodies, are non-deliberative in practice, disenfranchise Members of the House of Representatives and their constituents, and disrupt the proper balance of powers between the two chambers of Congress, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-06-15 — PDF (15 pages)