House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Slavery is still legal in the United States of America. 

 

Many believe the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution abolished slavery completely, but this belief is a mistake. Because of a loophole in the amendment’s text, slavery is still permissible “as a punishment for crime.” 

 

In 2022, voters in Oregon, Vermont, Tennessee, and Alabama approved ballot measures to remove similar provisions in their respective state constitutions. And now the United States Congress is considering a proposed constitutional amendment that states, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be imposed as a punishment for a crime.” 

 

We are introducing a resolution urging Congress to pass this proposed constitutional amendment and end legal slavery in our nation. No one should lose their humanity for another person’s profit. It is time to close this racist loophole in the United States Constitution. Please join us in this effort and help to end slavery once and for all.