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H.Res.817 / 118th Congress

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the African Americans who duly won election to the House during the post-Civil War Reconstruction Era but were wrongly denied the right to take their seats should be recognized as former Members of the House.

Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 26, 2023

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that James Lewis, John Willis Menard, Pinckney B.S. Pinchback, and Josiah Thomas Walls (1) won election to the House during Reconstruction, (2) were wrongly denied the right to take their seats as Members, and (3) should be recognized as former Members.

The resolution also expresses the sense of the House that an oil on canvas honoring James Lewis, John Willis Menard, Pinckney B.S. Pinchback, and Josiah Thomas Walls should be displayed in the House connecting corridor (first floor).

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Carter, Troy [D-LA-2] · D–LA

Committees

  • Committee on House Administration
28 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

  2. Introduced in House

  3. 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: Jan 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.817 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.817 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.817 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.817 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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