Celebrating the country's history of church-state separation and recognizing the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

Bill Number

H.Res. 1415

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-07-02: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T08:06:28Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H. Res. 1415

Purpose

This resolution celebrates the history of separation between government and religion in the United States. It also marks the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding by highlighting the role of religious freedom in American principles.

Key Provisions

• The document includes numerous background statements that reference historical events, writings by figures like Thomas Paine, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson, and Supreme Court cases such as Everson v. Board of Education.
• It describes the First Amendment's clauses on religion and the prohibition on religious tests for public office under Article VI of the Constitution.
• The resolution concludes with four formal statements:
• Recognition of the 250th anniversary as a time to reflect on historical traditions.
• Continued support for principles allowing individuals to practice their own beliefs or none at all.
• Opposition to any efforts to impose religious views through government.
• Reaffirmation of a 250-year commitment to a secular Constitution protecting religious freedom, diversity, and self-government.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This resolution introduces no changes to existing law. It is a non-binding expression of congressional sentiment and does not amend statutes, the Constitution, or prior court rulings.

Potential Impacts

• On government agencies: It may encourage agencies to maintain practices that avoid endorsing specific religions, though no new requirements are created.
• On citizens: It symbolically reinforces the ability of individuals to hold diverse beliefs without government interference.
• On international relations: It positions the United States as a model for religious pluralism, potentially influencing perceptions abroad but without direct policy effects.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Members of Congress and federal officials, who are called upon to uphold constitutional principles.
• Religious and non-religious groups across the country, including those with historical ties to early American settlers and Indigenous communities.
• The general public, as the resolution addresses broad themes of freedom and government neutrality.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• The resolution restates core elements of the First Amendment and Article VI without altering their interpretation.
• It emphasizes a "wall of separation" concept from historical letters and decisions, which could influence public debate on government involvement in religious matters.
• Politically, it signals support for maintaining a neutral government stance on religion amid discussions of pluralism and avoiding theocratic influences.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]

Cosponsors (21)

Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

Recent Actions

• 2026-07-02: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
• 2026-07-02: Submitted in House
• 2026-07-02: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Celebrating the country’s history of church-state separation and recognizing the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. — issued 2026-07-02 — PDF (4 pages)