Congressional Civics Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill would require every Member of Congress to pass a civics test to prove they understand how the U.S. government works. The test would consist of 25 questions randomly picked from a list of 100 topics, including the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and major events like the Civil War and World War II.
• Even before a change to the Constitution is finalized, the bill would prevent any lawmaker from joining a committee unless they pass the test. This means they could not help write specific laws or oversee government agencies without first showing they know basic American history and government rules.
• To keep the process fair and open, the test questions and correct answers would be published for the public to see. Any American citizen would also be able to take the test for free online to see if they can pass the same exam required of their representatives.
• If a newly elected or appointed lawmaker cannot pass the test within two weeks of starting their job, their seat would be declared vacant. While individuals can only take the test three times per year normally, those elected to office would be given a specific opportunity to pass before losing their seat.
• The goal of this policy is to ensure that the people making the nation's laws have a solid grasp of the country's founding documents and the separation of powers. It addresses concerns that some leaders may not fully understand the system they are elected to lead.