Jeff Merkley (D-OR)

For Our Republic Act

S. 5238 · Senate bill Government Operations and Politics

A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors

Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

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

  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

The "For Our Republic Act" is a comprehensive bill designed to preserve the democratic republic from authoritarian overreach. It includes provisions to increase the independence of Inspectors General and requires more justification for federal workforce reductions. The bill mandates strict protections for noncitizen children, including prohibitions on family separation, new standards for their care, and specialized judicial oversight. Additionally, it seeks to restrict biometric surveillance and racial profiling by law enforcement. The legislation also establishes independent immigration courts, updates the Insurrection Act, and introduces rules to protect election integrity from AI-generated misinformation and voter intimidation.

Yes· 3 of 22

  • Scored +10

    Would children be better off under this?

    The bill provides comprehensive protections, specialized care, and legal rights specifically for unaccompanied children.

  • Scored +9

    Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?

    The bill greatly enhances due process for unaccompanied children through placement review hearings, judicial review, and legal representation.

  • Scored +8

    Would immigrants be better off under this?

    The bill provides robust legal assistance, due process, and family reunification protections for unaccompanied noncitizen children.

The opposite

  • Scored -5

    Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?

    The bill restricts the ability of the executive to deploy federal forces for domestic control, potentially reducing state-led surveillance/policing.

  • Scored -3

    Does this give the federal government more power?

    The bill curtails many forms of executive discretion and federal authority through transparency and oversight requirements.

  • Scored -2

    Does this tighten control of the border?

    The bill limits the detention time for children and restricts certain law enforcement practices at the border.