Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress must urgently take all appropriate measures to guarantee civil rights and fair political representation to all Americans.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1384
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-24: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T08:06:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H. Res. 1384
Purpose
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress must urgently act to protect civil rights and ensure fair political representation for all Americans. It responds to recent Supreme Court decisions that have weakened voting protections, particularly for minority communities, and calls for legislative and structural reforms to restore voting rights and address perceived imbalances in the federal judiciary and Senate procedures.
Key Provisions
- Restoration of Voting Rights Act: Supports passage of legislation to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10101 note; Public Law 89-110), aiming to end racial discrimination in voting and elected representation and ensure all eligible Americans can vote.
- Senate Filibuster Reform: Under a future "prodemocracy governing moment," calls for elimination of the 60-vote threshold in the Senate.
- Supreme Court Structural Changes: Advocates for reforms including a binding code of ethics for Justices, term limits for Justices, and potential expansion of the Court's size.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The resolution does not enact new law but urges reversal of Supreme Court precedents such as Louisiana v. Callais (which limited Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act) and Shelby County v. Holder (which curtailed preclearance requirements). It promotes legislative overrides of these rulings and procedural changes to Senate rules and Court composition, which would require future congressional action rather than immediate implementation.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Could expand voting access and representation for Black, Latino, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, potentially affecting congressional district maps and minority electoral power, especially in Southern states.
- On Government Agencies and Branches: May influence House and Senate operations, federal election administration, and judicial oversight; reforms could alter checks and balances between Congress and the Supreme Court.
- On International Relations: No direct provisions address foreign policy, though the resolution references broader democratic principles that could indirectly shape U.S. global positioning on civil rights.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Members of Congress, particularly those involved in voting rights legislation.
- Minority voters and communities of color.
- The Supreme Court and its Justices.
- Political parties and state election officials responsible for redistricting.
- Advocacy groups focused on civil rights and election integrity.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Raises issues under the 15th Amendment regarding voting protections and separation of powers, as it seeks to limit judicial authority through structural Court changes.
- Politically, it highlights concerns over partisan gerrymandering, dark money in elections (referencing Citizens United), and public trust in institutions, while calling for removal of the Senate filibuster, which has historical ties to civil rights debates.
- The resolution frames these as responses to a "far-right" Court majority and prior rulings, emphasizing a mandate for Congress to act as the branch closest to public will.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (25)
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Mejia, Analilia [D-NJ-11], Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-24: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-06-24: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress must urgently take all appropriate measures to guarantee civil rights and fair political representation to all Americans. — issued 2026-06-24 — PDF (5 pages)