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HR 494

Commending Elijah Aistrop.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jed Arnold

Non-binding House resolution condemns political violence and urges civil, bipartisan discourse; a symbolic statement with no new enforcement powers or changes to law.

Bill text as passed House (HR494ER)
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Bill Summary · HR 494

Summary — H.R. 494: "Condemns Political Violence" (Resolution)

Main purpose and intent

H.R. 494 is a non‑binding House resolution that formally condemns political violence and urges citizens and political actors to engage in civil, respectful, and bipartisan political discourse. The resolution cites a series of recent violent incidents described in the text as evidence of the harms of politically motivated violence and expresses the legislative body’s denunciation of such acts.

Key provisions

  • Condemns political violence in all forms.
  • Encourages the people of Illinois and the United States (per language in the resolution) to pursue civil, respectful, bipartisan political discussion and behavior.
  • Lists and memorializes a number of specific, named incidents and attacks (see next section) as part of the factual background motivating the resolution.
  • Directs no new enforcement powers, expenditures, or changes to statutory criminal law — it is a declarative/resolutionary statement rather than enabling legislation.

Incidents and background cited (as included in the resolution text)

The resolution’s preamble lists multiple incidents the sponsors say illustrate political violence, including (verbatim as cited in the text):
- June 8, 2022 — attempted attack on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh
- October 28, 2022 — attack on Paul Pelosi
- July 13, 2024 — attempted assassination at a political rally in Pennsylvania targeting then‑President Donald Trump
- December 4, 2024 — assassination of a corporate CEO (UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, as cited)
- April 13, 2025 — arson at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence
- May 21, 2025 — assassination of embassy staff members (described as related to Israel/Gaza)
- June 14, 2025 — attack in Minnesota resulting in the death of a state legislative leader (Melissa Hortman)
- June 19, 2025 — road‑rage attack on U.S. Representative Max Miller and family
- Attacks on ICE facilities and other listed politically motivated violent acts
- September 10, 2025 — the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk (as cited)
- Increased threats against Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
(Note: these incidents are reported in the resolution’s text as the factual basis for the condemnation.)

Who is affected

  • The resolution is symbolic: it addresses the general public, political leaders, and communities affected by political violence.
  • No direct legal or regulatory changes — therefore it imposes no new obligations or penalties on individuals or agencies.

Legislative and procedural status (as provided)

  • Introduced: January 16, 2025
  • Referred to: House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (1/16/2025)
  • Placed on Congratulatory & Memorial Resolutions Calendar and laid before the House; recorded as adopted on May 23, 2025 and reported enrolled.
  • Multiple co‑sponsors were added in October 2025; the bill record also shows referral to the Rules Committee on October 14, 2025.
  • Primary sponsor(s) and many co‑sponsors are listed (notably Gerald E. Connolly among others and a large number of state representatives/co‑sponsors listed in the supplied record).

Notes and document inconsistencies

  • The supplied version content appears to combine multiple, distinct texts: (1) an amendment excerpt referencing the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014, (2) a Georgia House resolution honoring a high‑school athlete, and (3) the Illinois (state) House resolution condemning political violence. The authoritative text of H.R. 494 for the U.S. House should be verified in the official Congressional record.
  • Because this measure is a resolution, its immediate effect is declaratory and symbolic rather than regulatory or fiscal.

If you want, I can:
- Pull the official enrolled text from the Congressional Record (or state legislative journal) to confirm precise language, or
- Produce a short briefing memo comparing this resolution to prior congressional/resolutionary condemnations of political violence.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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