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

Civics test for Members of Congress

This bill would add a constitutional amendment requiring a civics exam for those who would be Representatives or Senators. Every ten-year term tied to the census, Congress would set an exam on the U.S. Constitution and government at a citizen-level standard. Each House would publish the exam questions and answers, appoint officers to jointly give the exam for free, and issue certificates to people who pass. No person would be a Representative or Senator unless they had demonstrated competence under the exam in effect at the time of election or appointment, though each House would let newly elected or appointed people try to demonstrate competence after election. The amendment would let Congress pass enforcement laws that would take effect without the President's approval.