Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States must recommit to defend and uphold the rights and protections guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution to ensure that our democracy works for all of us, not just a powerful few.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1038 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1038

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United 
 States must recommit to defend and uphold the rights and protections 
      guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States 
Constitution to ensure that our democracy works for all of us, not just 
                            a powerful few.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 4, 2026

      Ms. Tlaib (for herself, Mr. Costa, Ms. Craig, Mr. Evans of 
  Pennsylvania, Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Moulton, Ms. 
  Omar, Mrs. Ramirez, Ms. Stansbury, Ms. Pressley, and Mr. Cisneros) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                            on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United 
 States must recommit to defend and uphold the rights and protections 
      guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States 
Constitution to ensure that our democracy works for all of us, not just 
                            a powerful few.

Whereas Members of Congress swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution 
        of the United States;
Whereas the Fourteenth Amendment is the bedrock of our multiracial democracy, 
        establishing birthright citizenship, due process of law, and equal 
        protection under the law for all persons;
Whereas the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified in 1868 in the wake of the Civil 
        War, the defeat of the Confederacy, and the abolition of slavery;
Whereas the Fourteenth Amendment, alongside the other Reconstruction Amendments, 
        served as the United States ``Second Founding'', marking our country's 
        first effort at true, multiracial democracy;
Whereas generations of everyday people have fought to secure the full promise of 
        freedom and equality embodied in the Fourteenth Amendment, and that 
        struggle continues today;
Whereas we are living in a critical moment of danger for our country that 
        threatens our most fundamental rights and freedoms as Americans;
Whereas recent government actions and proposals, including efforts to undermine 
        birthright citizenship, restrict access to the ballot, and erode due 
        process protections for immigrants, threaten the constitutional 
        guarantees of the Fourteenth Amendment;
Whereas the erosion of constitutional protections endangers fundamental freedoms 
        for all people, regardless of race, background, belief, political 
        affiliation, or place of residence, including freedom of expression, 
        freedom from arbitrary detention, equal treatment under the law, and 
        fair governance; and
Whereas the preservation of constitutional democracy requires vigilance and 
        affirmative commitment by elected officials at every level of 
        government: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) Congress affirm the Fourteenth Amendment as a 
        cornerstone of American multiracial democracy and a guarantor 
        of birthright citizenship, due process, and equal protection 
        under the law;
            (2) every branch of the Federal Government must act to 
        defend and uphold the rights and protections guaranteed by the 
        Fourteenth Amendment;
            (3) Congress must reject and oppose any legislation, 
        executive action, or policy that seeks to dismantle, weaken, or 
        circumvent the guarantees of birthright citizenship, due 
        process, or equal protection;
            (4) Congress must preserve and protect birthright 
        citizenship for everyone born in the United States, as 
        guaranteed by the Constitution;
            (5) Congress pledges to work toward the full realization of 
        equal protection and due process for all;
            (6) Congress stands with individuals, communities, 
        organized workers, and civic groups working to ensure that 
        American democracy works for all people and not solely for the 
        benefit of a powerful, wealthy few; and
            (7) Congress calls upon elected officials at every level of 
        government to honor their constitutional obligations and to 
        actively defend the principles embodied in the Fourteenth 
        Amendment.
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