John Rose (R-TN)
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.
A Republican resolution with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
A House resolution is the House speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the House agrees to it, it is officially the House's word; it is not a law, so the Senate and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives to start or join civil legal actions in federal court. The goal is to argue that section 213 of the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, violates the 27th Amendment. This specific section involves financial awards for Senators that some argue vary their compensation. If the court finds the section unconstitutional, the Speaker can demand that the Senate reimburse the House for all related litigation costs.
Yes
- Scored +4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the printing of aggregate amounts expended for legal services in the Congressional Record.
- Scored +3
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The resolution seeks to prevent unauthorized compensation variations that could increase federal spending on Senate awards.
- Scored +2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The resolution empowers the Speaker of the House to initiate legal actions to check the financial authority of the Senate.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Constitutional Compliance: The resolution seeks to ensure that financial provisions for Senators do not violate the 27th Amendment, which prohibits changing compensation for Members of Congress without an intervening election. (Section 1)
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Financial Accountability: If the legal challenge is successful, the resolution provides a mechanism for the House of Representatives to recover its legal fees, expert costs, and administrative expenses from the Senate. (Section 5)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Costs to the House: The House of Representatives may incur costs for the Office of the General Counsel, outside counsel, and experts while pursuing this litigation. (Section 3)
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Financial Burden on the Senate: If a court rules the provision unconstitutional, the Senate may be required to reimburse the House for all litigation-related costs, including legal fees and administrative expenses. (Section 5)
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the printing of aggregate amounts expended for legal services in the Congressional Record. Does this give the federal government more power? — The resolution empowers the Speaker of the House to initiate legal actions to check the financial authority of the Senate.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The resolution seeks to prevent unauthorized compensation variations that could increase federal spending on Senate awards.
- 11/19/2025
- Submitted in House
- Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.