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H.R.677 / 116th Congress

21st Century President Act

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Official summary

Version 53 · Passed House · Jul 10, 2019

21st Century President Act

This bill revises the definition of "immediate family" for purposes of a criminal offense involving a threat to kill, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm on a former President or a member of the immediate family of a former President.

Specifically, it replaces gender-specific references to a former President's "wife" and "widow" with gender-neutral terms "spouse" and "surviving spouse."

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2] · D–WI

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
  • Judiciary Committee
41 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

  2. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5332)

  4. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5332)

  5. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 677.

  6. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5332-5334)

  7. Ms. Bass moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  8. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 102.

  9. Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-139.

  10. Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-139.

  11. Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

  12. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  13. Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

  14. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  15. Introduced in House

  16. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.677 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.677 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.677 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.677 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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