H.J.Res. 146 – Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring Membe…

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Updated January 31, 2026 at 9:24 AM UTC

This joint resolution proposes a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require anyone serving in the House or Senate to prove they understand the American system of government. The amendment would set up a civics exam that Congress must create every ten years after each census, and it would apply to all current and future members of Congress.

Key Provisions

Congress must develop a ten‑yearly examination testing knowledge of the Constitution and U.S. government, publish the questions and answers in the official journal, and administer the test free of charge, issuing certificates to those who pass.
No person may serve as a Representative or Senator unless they have demonstrated competence on the exam; however, anyone elected without having passed can be given a chance to take the exam later, either the same test or another approved method.
Congress is authorized to enforce the amendment with legislation that does not require the President’s approval.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

January 30, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 30, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

January 30, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 30, 2026

IA

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. J. RES. 146

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 30, 2026

Mr. Hunt submitted the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

JOINT RESOLUTION

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring Members of Congress to demonstrate competence in American civics.

That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures or conventions of three-fourths of the several States:

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1.

The Congress shall establish, for each term of ten years for which a census or enumeration is conducted for the apportionment of the Representatives in the Congress, an examination for the demonstration of competence, to a standard expected for a citizen of the United States, on the system of government under the Constitution of the United States, and each House of the Congress shall publish the questions and answers for the examination in the Journal of its proceedings and choose such Officers who shall from time to time jointly and regularly administer the examination, which shall be without any cost to any person who takes the examination, and provide to any such person who demonstrates competence under the examination such certificates necessary to prove such demonstration.

2.

No person shall be a Representative or Senator who shall not have demonstrated competence on the system of government under the Constitution of the United States under the examination in effect at the time of the election or appointment, but each House of Congress shall afford any person elected or appointed to be a Member of the House, without having demonstrated competence before the election or appointment, the opportunity to demonstrate such competence, whether under the same examination or by another means approved for such purpose by law.

3.

The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation, and such legislation shall not require the approval of the President before taking effect.

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