CivicIndex

Federal Policy

Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Civil rights legislation addresses voting rights, employment and housing discrimination, marriage equality, and equal protection across race, gender, religion, age, and disability. Federal action here tends to come in waves tied to specific Supreme Court decisions or contested state laws.

Committees with jurisdiction

  • Senate Committee on the Judiciary
  • House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
  • House Committee on the Judiciary
  • Oversight and Intelligence
  • Oversight and Investigations

Members who specialize in this area

Leadership

Committee members

180 more members on jurisdictional committees not shown.

Recent bills in this area

  • HRES. 1322 — Condemning racist rhetoric targeting Indian and Chinese Americans, reaffirming that immigrants from all backgrounds are vital to the United States, and calling on all elected officials to refrain from language that promotes racial or ethnic division.

    Sponsor:
    Raja Krishnamoorthi · Democratic · IL
    Latest action:
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  • S. 4576 — Jewish American Security Act

    Latest action:
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

  • SRES. 738 — A resolution recognizing the significance of Jewish American Heritage Month and calling on elected officials and civil society leaders to counter antisemitism.

    Latest action:
    Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2351; text: CR S2379-2380)

  • HR. 8858 — Protecting American Voters’ Rights Act

    Sponsor:
    Seth Moulton · Democratic · MA
    Latest action:
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  • HRES. 1251 — Calling on elected officials and civil society leaders to counter antisemitism and educate the public on the contributions of the Jewish-American community.

    Sponsor:
    Debbie Wasserman Schultz · Democratic · FL
    Latest action:
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  • HRES. 1239 — Condemning antisemitic hate-filled rhetoric and content disseminated by prominent online personalities, and urging social media platforms and public leaders to denounce and address such conduct.

    Sponsor:
    Josh Gottheimer · Democratic · NJ
    Latest action:
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.

  • HR. 8620 — CARES Hotline Act

    Sponsor:
    Robert Menendez · Democratic · NJ
    Latest action:
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

  • HRES. 1219 — Expressing support for the month of April as "Sikh History Month".

    Sponsor:
    Brian K. Fitzpatrick · Republican · PA
    Latest action:
    Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Frequently asked

Which committees handle civil rights legislation?

The Senate and House Judiciary committees have primary jurisdiction. Specific issues sometimes route through other committees — voting rights through Rules and Administration, housing discrimination through Banking or Financial Services.