[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 639 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 639

Establishing an annual Senate academic civics competition for secondary 
                            school students.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 11, 2026

 Mr. Kim submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                 Committee on Rules and Administration

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Establishing an annual Senate academic civics competition for secondary 
                            school students.

    Resolved,

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

    The Senate finds the following:
            (1) According to the 2022 National Assessment of 
        Educational Progress civics and United States history 
        assessments, the average civics score for students in grade 8 
        was 2 points lower compared to the average civics score in 
        2018, the first time the civics score dropped since the 
        assessment was first administered in 1998.
            (2) According to the 2023 Annenberg Civics Knowledge 
        Survey, a nationally represented survey, 1 in 6 adults in the 
        United States could not name any of the 3 branches of 
        government.
            (3) The decline in civics education contributes to civic 
        disengagement, evident in lower voter turnout among young 
        people and reduced participation in community life.
            (4) The spread of misinformation and disinformation has 
        further highlighted the urgent need for students to gain civic 
        reasoning and media literacy skills.
            (5) The success of the Congressional Art Competition and 
        the Congressional App Challenge demonstrates that Congress can 
        play a unique role in elevating student talent and achievement.
            (6) With the 250th anniversary of the founding of the 
        United States approaching next year, the Senate has an 
        opportunity to renew America's commitment to civic education 
        and democratic participation.

SEC. 2. ANNUAL SENATE CIVICS COMPETITION.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section--
            (1) the term ``Committee'' means the Committee on Rules and 
        Administration of the Senate; and
            (2) the term ``secondary school'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
    (b) Competition Established.--The Committee shall establish and 
carry out an annual academic competition in the field of civics for 
secondary school students.
    (c) Authorities.--The Committee may--
            (1) partner with relevant public or nonprofit 
        organizations, such as iCivics or the National Constitution 
        Center, to assist with the design of judging rubrics and to 
        offer support with the competition described in subsection (b); 
        and
            (2) accept donations from private entities to offset costs 
        associated with the competition described in subsection (b).
    (d) Regulations.--The Committee shall promulgate regulations 
necessary to carry out this section.
                                 <all>