U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
SJR214: 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.
Status: In committee, September 15, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, September 15, 2026:
IIA 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. J. RES. 214 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 15, 2026 Mr. Merkley (for himself, Mr. Booker , Mr. Blumenthal , Ms. Duckworth , Ms. Hirono , Mr. Markey , Mr. Padilla , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Warnock , Ms. Warren , Mr. Welch , Mr. Wyden , and Mr. Durbin ) introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 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. Whereas the Constitution of the United States has prohibited slavery and involuntary servitude for many, but not all, people in the United States since December 6, 1865; Whereas the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which barred slavery and involuntary servitude, included an exception that allowed for slavery and involuntary servitude to continue as punishment for a crime; Whereas this exception resulted in hundreds of thousands of Black Americans being returned to slavery after implementation of the 13th Amendment; Whereas Congress finds the continued existence of slavery and involuntary servitude antithetical to the democratic values, norms, and mores of the United States and can undermine the moral credibility of our country on …
Sponsors
- Merkley, Jeff (D, SD-OR) · primary sponsor
- Booker, Cory (D)
- Blumenthal, Richard (D)
- Duckworth, Tammy (D)
- Hirono, Mazie (D)
- Markey, Edward (D)
- Padilla, Alex (D, SD-CA)
- Van Hollen, Chris (D)
- Warnock, Raphael (D)
- Warren, Elizabeth (D)
- Welch, Peter (D)
- Wyden, Ron (D, SD-OR)
Latest actions
- : Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- : Introduced in Senate
Subjects: Crime and Law Enforcement
Common questions
- What is SJR214?
- SJR214 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): 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.
- What is the status of SJR214?
- In committee as of September 15, 2026. Latest action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (September 15, 2026).
- Who sponsored SJR214?
- Merkley, Jeff (D, SD-OR), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SJR214?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-jre/214
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.