Authorizing the Speaker of the House of Representatives to initiate or intervene in civil actions on behalf of the House of Representatives regarding section 213 of title II of division C of the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026.

This resolution would allow the Speaker of the House to start or join federal lawsuits on behalf of the House arguing that section 213 of a 2026 funding law, which provides financial awards to Senators, violates the 27th Amendment. The 27th Amendment says a law changing pay for members of Congress cannot take effect until after the next House election. The House's General Counsel would represent the House and could hire outside lawyers and experts, with quarterly spending on them printed in the Congressional Record. The Speaker would have to notify and regularly update the House about the lawsuits. If a court rules section 213 unconstitutional, the Speaker could total the House's legal costs and send a letter asking the Senate to repay them from Senate funds.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• John W. Rose Republican sponsor
• 0 cosponsors