Preserving Our Constitution Act of 2026

In plain English

What this bill does

This bill would bar U.S. federal courts and other federal adjudicative bodies from recognizing or enforcing any foreign law, religious law, or custom that conflicts with the U.S. Constitution and U.S. laws. It specifically targets laws or practices involving things like discrimination, forced or plural marriages, cruel punishments, and female genital mutilation, and prevents courts from enforcing contracts or foreign rulings based on such laws. Failure to follow the rules would count as reversible error on appeal, though the bill creates no new lawsuits for damages or injunctions.

Who it affects

It would most directly affect federal judges and litigants in cases involving foreign or religious law, including parties to contracts that choose foreign law or forums, and people seeking to enforce foreign court decisions in the U.S.

Key points

• •Prohibits federal courts and agencies from recognizing or enforcing foreign or religious laws that conflict with the U.S. Constitution.
• •Defines 'foreign law' to include laws from outside the U.S. and any that don't protect equivalent rights, and lists specific banned practices (discrimination, forced/underage/plural marriages, certain punishments, FGM, etc.).
• •Blocks enforcement of contract clauses choosing such foreign law or forums, and of foreign court decisions based on such law.
• •Preserves enforcement of arbitration agreements under the Federal Arbitration Act unless doing so would violate constitutional rights.
• •Makes noncompliance reversible error on appeal but creates no new cause of action for damages or injunctions.

Plain-English summary generated by AI from the official record. Neutral by design; verify against the official text linked above.