IV 
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 guaran-
teed 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) sub-
mitted 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 power-
ful 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, 
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•HRES 1038 IH 
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 Re-
construction 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 immi-
grants, 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 resi-
dence, including freedom of expression, freedom from ar-
bitrary detention, equal treatment under the law, and fair 
governance; and 
Whereas the preservation of constitutional democracy re-
quires vigilance and affirmative commitment by elected 
officials at every level of government: Now, therefore, be 
it 
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•HRES 1038 IH 
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives that— 
(1) Congress affirm the Fourteenth Amendment 
as a cornerstone of American multiracial democracy 
and a guarantor of birthright citizenship, due proc-
ess, and equal protection under the law; 
(2) every branch of the Federal Government 
must act to defend and uphold the rights and pro-
tections guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment; 
(3) Congress must reject and oppose any legis-
lation, executive action, or policy that seeks to dis-
mantle, weaken, or circumvent the guarantees of 
birthright citizenship, due process, or equal protec-
tion; 
(4) Congress must preserve and protect birth-
right citizenship for everyone born in the United 
States, as guaranteed by the Constitution; 
(5) Congress pledges to work toward the full re-
alization of equal protection and due process for all; 
(6) Congress stands with individuals, commu-
nities, 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 
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•HRES 1038 IH 
(7) Congress calls upon elected officials at every 
level of government to honor their constitutional ob-
ligations and to actively defend the principles em-
bodied in the Fourteenth Amendment. 
Æ 
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