H.Res. 892

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 892 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 892

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.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 19, 2025

Mr. Rose submitted the following resolution; which was 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

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

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.

Whereas section 213 of title II of division C of the Continuing Appropriations, 
Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans 
Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, and amendments made by such section, 
provide for financial awards to Members of the Senate under 
circumstances that experts have said defy typical legal concepts;
Whereas the 27th Amendment to the Constitution states: ``No law, varying the 
compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall 
take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have 
intervened.''; and
Whereas a credible argument exists that the financial provisions contained in 
such section 213 constitute a variation in compensation for Senators, 
potentially violating the requirements of the 27th Amendment: Now, 
therefore, be it
Resolved,

SECTION 1. CIVIL ACTION.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives is authorized to 
initiate or intervene in one or more civil actions in a Federal court 
of competent jurisdiction, on behalf of the House of Representatives, 
to argue that section 213 of title II of division C of the Continuing 
Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction 
and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, and the amendments made 
by such section, violate the 27th Amendment to the United States 
Constitution.

SEC. 2. NOTIFICATION.

The Speaker shall notify the House of Representatives of any 
decision to initiate or intervene in any civil action pursuant to this 
resolution.

SEC. 3. PROCESS FOR CIVIL ACTION.

(a) Representation by General Counsel.--The Office of the General 
Counsel of the House of Representatives, at the direction of the 
Speaker, shall represent the House in any civil action initiated, or in 
which the House intervenes, pursuant to this resolution, and may employ 
the services of outside counsel and other experts for this purpose.
(b) Statement of Costs of Outside Counsel and Experts.--Not later 
than 30 days after the last day of each calendar quarter in which the 
Office of General Counsel employed the services of outside counsel or 
other experts pursuant to subsection (a), the chair of the Committee on 
House Administration shall cause to be printed in the Congressional 
Record a statement setting forth the aggregate amounts expended by such 
Office for such services.

SEC. 4. REQUIREMENT TO INFORM.

The Speaker shall keep the House regularly informed about 
developments in any litigation initiated, or in which the House 
intervenes, pursuant to this resolution.

SEC. 5. DEMAND FOR REIMBURSEMENT.

In the event that section 213 of title II of division C of the 
Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military 
Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, is held to 
be unconstitutional in any ruling made in response to litigation 
initiated, or in which the House intervenes, pursuant to this 
resolution, the Speaker is authorized to--
(1) tally all costs incurred by the House of Representatives 
related to such litigation, including legal fees, expenses for outside 
counsel and other experts, and related administrative costs; and
(2) send a formal letter to the majority leader of the Senate 
demanding that the Senate reimburse the House of Representatives for 
all such litigation-related costs from funds allocated to the Senate, 
and cause that letter to be entered into the Congressional Record.
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