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H.Res.686 / 111th Congress

Recommending that the United States Constitution be taught to high school students throughout the Nation in September of their senior year.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Official summary

Version 36 · Passed House amended · Sep 14, 2009

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) high school students should spend at least one week in September of their senior year learning about the U.S. Constitution, as knowledge of this country's founding document is critical to being an effective citizen; and (2) upon reaching voting age, high school seniors should demonstrate their understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship by engaging in civic learning activities on an issue of importance to them.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Grayson, Alan [D-FL-8] · D–FL

Committees

  • Education and Workforce Committee
222 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

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

  3. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H9447)

  4. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H9447)

  5. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 686.

  6. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9447-9449)

  7. Mr. Sablan moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

  8. Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

  9. Introduced in House

  10. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.686 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.Res.686 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.Res.686 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.Res.686 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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