H.R. 7431 — Congressional Civics Act of 2026

This section establishes, for each decennial census term (i.e., 10-year period aligned with the census under 13 U.S.C. 141), a 25-question examination that Members of Congress must pass as a condition for seating following election or appointment. The examination draws 5 questions randomly from each of 20 specified topics on American history, government, and civics (e.g., the Constitutional Convention, Bill of Rights, separation of powers, federalism); requires matching model answers for correctness; and sets a passing threshold approved by Congress. Failure to pass within two weeks of election or appointment creates a vacancy, with the examination administered online for free by the Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate (limited to 3 attempts per calendar year), published publicly, and tracked in a database of successful completers. Appropriate congressional committees must submit proposed questions, answers, passing score, and joint session rules by June 30 of the year preceding a census term (accepting Member submissions by March 31), with Congress approving the examination in joint session no earlier than two months after submission and no later than October 31.

This section requires each House of Congress, as an exercise of its rulemaking authority, to establish and administer during each census term (i.e., 10-year period beginning the calendar year of a decennial census under 13 U.S.C. 141) a 25-question examination—randomly drawn with 5 questions from each of 20 specified topics on U.S. history from the colonies through World War II, the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitution, Bill of Rights, amendments, civil rights and liberties, due process, elections, federalism, separation of powers, Congress, the President, and the federal judiciary—that Members must pass, per House rules, for assignment to committees or joint committees. It directs the Committee on House Administration and Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to receive Member-submitted questions by March 31, submit a report by June 30 of the year preceding a census term with proposed questions, model answers, and passing score, and requires each House to approve the exam by October 31 for administration by the Clerk or Secretary of the Senate, with publication in the House journal; the provision takes effect with the 120th Congress and terminates per section 2.