Bills · HJRES 146
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House Joint Res.HJRES 146Congress
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring Members of Congress to demonstrate competence in American civics.
INTRO JAN 30· LAST ACTION JAN 30
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it proposes a significant change to the fundamental qualifications for serving in the U.S. Congress, adding a new layer of scrutiny on lawmakers' civic knowledge. If this becomes law, it would mean that voters could expect their representatives to have a demonstrated understanding of the Constitution and the governmental system, potentially leading to more informed legislative decisions.
Without this bill, no such explicit civics competence requirement exists for Members of Congress beyond the basic age, citizenship, and residency qualifications. Passing it could reshape public trust in elected officials' foundational knowledge, while failing to pass it means the qualifications for serving in Congress would remain as they are, without a formal civic knowledge test.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes a constitutional amendment requiring Members of Congress to demonstrate competence in American civics.
This creates a new, mandatory qualification for serving in the U.S. House and Senate.
PROVISION 02
Congress must establish a civics examination every ten years, publish its questions and answers, and administer it free of charge.
This gives Congress the power to define the scope and content of the required civics knowledge.
PROVISION 03
No person can serve as a Representative or Senator without having demonstrated competence on the civics examination.
This is the core enforcement mechanism, barring individuals from holding office without passing the test.
PROVISION 04
Elected or appointed members who have not yet passed the exam will be given an opportunity to demonstrate competence afterward.
This provision offers a crucial grace period or alternative pathway for individuals already chosen by voters or appointed to office.
PROVISION 05
Congress can enforce this article with legislation that does not require the President's approval.
This grants Congress unique legislative authority over its own qualification standards, bypassing the executive branch.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Texas
YRS IN OFFICE
3
BILLS LED
17
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 30
Introduced in House
JAN 30
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Joint Resolution
NumberHJRES 146
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 30, 2026
Last actionJan 30, 2026
READER REACTIONS
OVERALL SENTIMENT
No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.
Discussion
Loading comments...
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 30, 2026
House Joint Res.HJRES 146Congress
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring Members of Congress to demonstrate competence in American civics.
INTRODUCED JAN 30, 2026· LAST ACTION JAN 30, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
