Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime.
A Democratic resolution with 12 Democratic cosponsors · See all 12 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
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the United States Constitution. The goal is to completely prohibit the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime. The text points out that while the 13th Amendment previously barred slavery, it left an exception for criminal punishment. The new amendment states that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be imposed as a punishment for a crime. To become part of the Constitution, the amendment must be ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +9
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill specifically targets a loophole that has historically been used to disproportionately impact Black Americans.
- Scored +8
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill addresses historical inequities where the 13th Amendment exception was used to disproportionately affect Black Americans.
- Scored +7
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?
By prohibiting involuntary servitude as punishment, the bill alters the legal framework of criminal sentencing.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill restricts the ability of states to use involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Removal of a harmful exception: The joint resolution proposes adding an article to the Constitution stating that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be imposed as a punishment for a crime". This is a positive step because the text notes the existing exception in the 13th Amendment has historical roots in returning hundreds of thousands of Black Americans to slavery and undermines the country's moral credibility.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts identified: Based strictly on the provided text, there are no sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups. In fact, the text explicitly states it is not the intent of Congress to interfere with opportunities for incarcerated people to consent to work, to modify current employment protections in correctional institutions, or to interfere with a court's discretion to offer community service.
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.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill addresses historical inequities where the 13th Amendment exception was used to disproportionately affect Black Americans. Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — By prohibiting involuntary servitude as punishment, the bill alters the legal framework of criminal sentencing.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets a loophole that has historically been used to disproportionately impact Black Americans. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Protects individuals from potential labor exploitation within the justice system.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill enhances personal liberty by removing the exception that allowed for involuntary servitude for crimes. Does this give the federal government more power? — The amendment establishes a new federal constitutional standard that limits state authority in criminal sentencing. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill restricts the ability of states to use involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment.
- 9/15/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 12 Cosponsors added.
- 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.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts