U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
HJR216: 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.
Status: In committee, September 15, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, September 15, 2026:
IA 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. J. RES. 216 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 15, 2026 Ms. Williams of Georgia (for herself, Mr. Amo , Ms. Barragán , Mrs. Beatty , Mr. Bera , Mr. Beyer , Mr. Bishop , Mr. Carter of Louisiana , Mr. Casar , Ms. Chu , Mr. Cleaver , Mrs. Watson Coleman , Ms. Clarke of New York , Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania , Ms. DelBene , Ms. DeGette , Mr. Deluzio , Mr. DeSaulnier , Ms. Dexter , Mr. Frost , Mr. García of Illinois , Mr. Horsford , Mr. Huffman , Mr. Jackson of Illinois , Mr. Johnson of Georgia , Ms. Kamlager-Dove , Ms. Kelly of Illinois , Mr. Krishnamoorthi , Ms. Lee of Nevada , Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania , Mr. Lynch , Ms. Velázquez , Ms. McClellan , Ms. Moore of Wisconsin , Mr. Moulton , Ms. Norton , Ms. Omar , Mr. Panetta , Mr. Peters , Ms. Pingree , Ms. Pressley , Mr. Quigley , Mrs. Ramirez , Ms. Wilson of Florida , Ms. Scanlon , Ms. Schakowsky , Ms. Sewell , Ms. Simon , Ms. Stansbury , Mr. Takano , Ms. Tlaib , Mrs. Trahan , Ms. Underwood , Mr. Lieu , and Ms. Wasserman Schultz ) submitted the following joint resolution; which was referred to …
Sponsors
- Nikema Williams (D, HD-005) · primary sponsor
- Gabe Amo (D, HD-RI-1)
- Nanette Barragan (D)
- Joyce Beatty (D, HD-003)
- Ami Bera (D)
- Don Beyer (D, HD-008)
- Sanford Bishop (D, HD-002)
- Troy Carter (D, HD-LA-2)
- Greg Casar (D, 35)
- Judy Chu (D, HD-CA-28)
- Emanuel Cleaver (D, HD-005)
- Bonnie Watson Coleman (D, HD-012)
Latest actions
- : Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- : Introduced in House
Subjects: Crime and Law Enforcement
Common questions
- What is HJR216?
- HJR216 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): 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.
- What is the status of HJR216?
- In committee as of September 15, 2026. Latest action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (September 15, 2026).
- Who sponsored HJR216?
- Nikema Williams (D, HD-005), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HJR216?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-jres/216
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.