Daughters of the American Revolution Membership Integrity Act.

119th Congress Introduced by Robert Aderholt and 29 co-sponsors

The bill would codify DAR membership eligibility to limit it to women who meet the organization's genealogical and membership standards.

Introduced in House

Overview

HR 9701, titled the Daughters of the American Revolution Membership Integrity Act, proposes to modify the federal charter governing the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to clarify and restrict its membership eligibility. The bill would codify a requirement that only women who meet specific genealogical and membership qualifications set by the organization are eligible for DAR membership, and it provides definitions for “woman” and related terms.

Main purpose and intent

To amend Title 36, United States Code, by inserting a new provision (153101a) that defines and limits DAR membership eligibility.

Specifically, the bill aims to ensure that membership in the DAR is limited to individuals who are women and who satisfy the organization’s own genealogical and membership standards.

Key provisions and changes

New statutory eligibility standard (proposed §153101a):

(a) Membership Eligibility:
(1) Eligibility is limited to an individual who is a woman.
(2) The individual must satisfy the genealogical and membership qualifications established by the DAR.
(b) Definitions:
(1) “Woman” means an adult human female.
(2) “Female” means a person who naturally has, had, will have, or would have the reproductive system that produces, transports, and utilizes the large gamete (ova) for fertilization, with clarifications for congenital anomalies or disruptions.

Clerical amendment to the U.S. Code:

The table of sections for Chapter 1531 would be amended to insert a new entry for §153101a, titled “Membership.”

Who would be affected

The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) as the governing organization for this charter.

Prospective and current DAR members, as eligibility criteria would be restricted to women who meet the organization’s genealogical and membership requirements.

The bill does not appear to alter the internal governance or processes of the DAR beyond codifying eligibility in federal statute.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced in the House of Representatives on July 15, 2026.

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for consideration.

No Senate action is indicated in the provided text; action history covers only the initial House filing and referral.

The bill would take effect upon enactment, with the new eligibility rules applying to DAR membership thereafter (assuming successful passage and signature into law).

Potential impacts and considerations

Clarity and consistency: The bill would remove ambiguity by placing the DAR’s eligibility criteria into federal statute, ensuring that membership is limited to women who meet the organization’s genealogical criteria.

Definitions: The inclusion of a formal definition of “woman” and “female” is narrowly tailored to align with the bill’s intent and could be legally scrutinized for consistency with broader anti-discrimination or civil rights norms.

Operational effect on the DAR: The organization would need to ensure compliance with the statute and may need to adjust its internal membership processes to align with the federal definition and eligibility criteria.

Note: This summary reflects only the text and status provided. If the bill undergoes amendments, further committee reports, or floor actions, those changes could alter scope, definitions, or timing.