HRES 1266

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 7, 2026

Mr. Raskin (for himself, Mr. Huffman, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Norton, Ms. Brownley, Ms. Randall, and Mr. Deluzio) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

RESOLUTION

Expressing support for the designation of May 4, 2026, as a “National Day of Reason” and recognizing the central importance of reason in the betterment of humanity.

Whereas the application of reason has been the essential precondition for humanity’s extraordinary scientific, medical, technological, and social progress since before the founding of the United States 250 years ago; Whereas reason provides the necessary framework for confronting the crises of today, including—

(1) for cultivating our common defense of the rule of law, the separation of church and state, strong democratic institutions, justice, and peace among nations;

(2) for providing an antidote to the fear and disinformation that have fed the rise of authoritarianism in the United States;

(3) for advancing civil liberties and human rights for all; and

(4) for confronting the civilizational emergency of climate change;

Whereas America’s Founders insisted upon the primacy of reason and knowledge in public life during the American Revolution 250 years ago, and drafted the Constitution to prevent official establishment of religion and to protect freedom of thought, conscience, speech, and inquiry in civil society; Whereas the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause, grounded in the principle of reason, protect the rights of people of all religious faiths and of none at all and ensure the United States remains a pluralistic democracy capable of withstanding theocratic threats to secular governance; Whereas James Madison, author of the First Amendment and fourth President of the United States, stated, “The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty”, and “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives”; Whereas Thomas Paine, an American Founding Father and luminary patriot of the Enlightenment and American Revolution, wrote that “the most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is Reason”; Whereas today some of our nation’s leaders would replace knowledge, facts and evidence with propaganda, disinformation and superstition; Whereas May 4, 2026, would be an appropriate date to designate as a “National Day of Reason”: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) supports the designation of a “National Day of Reason”; and

(2) encourages all persons in the United States to observe this day and uplift the central importance of reason, critical thought, the scientific method, and free inquiry to resolving social problems and promoting the welfare of humankind. <all>