# 119-hjres-146: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring Members of Congress to demonstrate competence in American civics.

119-hjres-146, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring Members of Congress to demonstrate competence in American civics., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38] (R-TX); status introduced (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hjres-146
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hjres-146
- Congress: 119
- Title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring Members of Congress to demonstrate competence in American civics.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-01-30
- Sponsor: Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38] (R-TX)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Congress
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**Civics competency test for Members of Congress.** This proposed constitutional amendment would require a free exam on the Constitution and the U.S. system of government and make passing it a condition to serve as a Representative or Senator. - Prospective candidates: A person would not be eligible to be a Representative or Senator unless they demonstrate competence under the exam in effect at the time of the election or appointment. - Elected or appointed people without prior certification: Each House must give anyone elected or appointed the chance to demonstrate competence after the election, either under the same exam or by another method allowed by law. - Congress's role and rules: Congress must set up the exam for each 10-year term tied to the census apportionment and publish the questions and answers in each House Journal, appoint officers to jointly administer the test free to takers, and issue certificates to those who pass. Congress may enforce the amendment by law and such enforcement laws would not require the President's approval.

## Provisions PRIA read

- Civics test for Members of Congress: mixed, high. 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 questi…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-471: Fix Our Forests Act
- 119-hr-1229: United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025
- 119-hr-9199: Permanent Trump Secure Border Act
- 119-hr-1897: ESA Amendments Act of 2025
- 119-hr-8443: End H–1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026
- 119-hr-9298: Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act

## Sources
- [119-hjres-146 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-joint-resolution/146)

## Related
- [119-hr-471: Fix Our Forests Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-471)
- [119-hr-1229: United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1229)
- [119-hr-9199: Permanent Trump Secure Border Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9199)
- [119-hr-1897: ESA Amendments Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1897)
- [119-hr-8443: End H–1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8443)
- [119-hr-9298: Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9298)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hjres-146 (as of 2026-04-21).