Eric Schmitt (R-MO)
Declaration of Independence Reaffirmation Act of 2026
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Held at the desk.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Awaiting House
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
The Declaration of Independence Reaffirmation Act of 2026 seeks to reaffirm the Declaration of Independence as an Organic Law of the United States. The bill identifies the Declaration as a charter for American sovereignty, natural rights, equal citizenship, and government by consent. It acknowledges that the Declaration and the Constitution together create a system where the people are sovereign and officials are their servants. The act also includes the full text of the Declaration of Independence to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Yes· 3 of 24
- Scored +3
Does this protect the right to vote?
Reaffirms the principle of government by the consent of the governed.
- Scored +2
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
Reaffirms that all men are created equal.
- Scored +2
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?
Reaffirms that all men are created equal.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this give the federal government more power?
Reaffirms that public officers are servants to the sovereign people.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Recognition of Natural Rights and Equality: The bill reaffirms that all men are created equal and possess unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (Section 2).
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Accountability of Officials: The bill establishes a political order where public officers are viewed as servants to the sovereign people (Section 2).
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Government by Consent: The bill reaffirms the principle that governments derive their just powers from the consent of those they govern (Section 2 and Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens for individuals or groups are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Reaffirms that all men are created equal. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Reaffirms that all men are created equal. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Reaffirms that all men are created equal. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — Reaffirms the principle of equal citizenship and natural rights. Would men be better off under this? — Reaffirms that all men are created equal. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Reaffirms that all men are created equal. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Reaffirms the principle of equal citizenship and natural rights. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Reaffirms that all men are created equal. Would women be better off under this? — Reaffirms that all men are created equal as a principle of equality. Would children be better off under this? — Broadly reaffirms unalienable rights for all people. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Reaffirms equal rights and citizenship regardless of status. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Reaffirms equal rights and citizenship regardless of status. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Broadly reaffirms unalienable rights for all people. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Reaffirms equal rights and citizenship regardless of status. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Broadly reaffirms unalienable rights for all people. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Broadly reaffirms unalienable rights for all people.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the right to vote? — Reaffirms the principle of government by the consent of the governed. Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — Supports the natural right to liberty and the ability to alter government. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — Reaffirms the foundational principle that all men are created equal. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Reaffirms the foundational principle that all men are created equal. Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion? — References rights endowed by a Creator and the pursuit of happiness.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Reaffirms the principle of natural rights and equal citizenship. Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — Reaffirms natural rights and liberty. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Emphasizes government by consent and accountability of officials. Does this give the federal government more power? — Reaffirms that public officers are servants to the sovereign people.
- 6/23/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 6/18/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2917-2920; text: CR S2918-2920)
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.