Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, introduced legislation Tuesday that would require members of Congress to demonstrate proficiency in American civics as a condition of serving, under a proposal titled the "Congressional Civics Act of 2026."
The bill would implement a proposed constitutional amendment mandating that lawmakers pass a standardized civics examination covering U.S. history, constitutional structure, and the functioning of government before they can be seated in office.
Under the proposal, individuals elected or appointed to Congress who fail the exam would be barred from taking office until they pass, with prolonged failure resulting in a vacant seat.
The examination would consist of 25 questions drawn from a pool of 100 approved questions spanning topics such as the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, separation of powers, federalism, and major historical events including the American Revolution and the Civil War.
The test would be administered jointly by congressional officials and made publicly available online, allowing any U.S. citizen to take it on a voluntary basis.
Hunt said the proposal is rooted in the constitutional responsibilities of elected officials. "As leaders, we swear an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, an oath I take seriously," Hunt told Blaze News on Tuesday.
"We must ensure that those entrusted with the highest level of American leadership fully understand that oath," he added.
The legislation would take effect only if the accompanying constitutional amendment is ratified and includes interim provisions requiring lawmakers to pass the civics exam before receiving committee assignments.
Hunt, who is challenging incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Texas Republican primary, is polling in third place behind Cornyn and frontrunner Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to a recent University of Houston survey of GOP primary voters.
James Morley III ✉
James Morley III is a writer with more than two decades of experience in entertainment, travel, technology, and science and nature.
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