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Civil Rights Commission Amendments Act of 1994

Public Law 103-419 · S. 2372 · 103rd Congress · began in the Senate

Signed by Bill Clinton (D) on Oct 25, 1994 · Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Sponsor: Sen. Paul Simon (D-IL)

Cosponsors: None

Passage votes

  • HouseUnanimous consent
  • SenateVoice vote
Data notes

The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Civil Rights Commission Amendments Act of 1994 - Amends the United States Commission on Civil Rights Act of 1983 to reauthorize the Commission. Renames such Act as the Civil Rights Commission Act of 1983.

Provides that: (1) the initial membership of the Commission shall be the members of the Commission on September 30, 1994, and thereafter vacancies shall continue to be appointed according to a specified formula; and (2) the term of each member in the initial membership shall expire on the date such term would have expired as of September 30, 1994.

Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson; (2) removal of members; and (3) a quorum.

Directs the Commission to: (1) investigate allegations in writing under oath or affirmation relating to deprivations because of color, race, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin, or as a result of any pattern or practice of fraud, of the right of U.S. citizens to vote and have votes counted; and (2) study and collect information relating to, make appraisals of Federal laws and policies regarding, serve as a national clearinghouse for information relating to, and prepare public service announcements and advertising campaigns to discourage, discrimination or denials of equal protection of the laws under the Constitution because of color, race, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin, or in the administration of justice.

Specifies that nothing in this or any other Act shall be construed as authorizing the Commission, its advisory committees, or any person under its supervision or control to: (1) inquire into or investigate any membership practices or internal operations of any fraternal organization, college or university fraternity or sorority, private club, or religious organization; or (2) study and collect, make appraisals of, or serve as a clearinghouse for information about Federal laws and policies regarding abortion.

Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) reports; (2) advisory committees; (3) hearings and ancillary matters; and (4) administrative provisions.

Authorizes appropriations.

Terminates such Act on September 30, 1996.

Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

Data notes

A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.

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Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 20 actions.

  1. Oct 25, 1994Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 103-419.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. Oct 18, 1994PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
  4. Oct 7, 1994Resolving differencesResolving differences · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  5. Resolving differencesResolving differences · On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendments Agreed to without objection.
  6. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Mr. Brooks asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendments.
  7. Oct 6, 1994Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to the House amendments with an amendment (SP 2629) by Voice Vote.
  8. Oct 3, 1994FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  9. FloorFloor · The title of the measure was amended to that of similar measure H.R. 4999. Agreed to without objection.
  10. FloorFloor · A similar measure H.R. 4999 was laid on the table without objection.
  11. FloorFloor · On passage Passed without objection.
  12. FloorFloor · The House struck all after the enacting clause and inserted in lieu thereof the provisions of a similar measure H.R. 4999. Agreed to without objection.
  13. FloorFloor · Considered by unanimous consent.
  14. FloorFloor · Mr. Brooks asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
  15. Sep 30, 1994FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
  16. FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
  17. Sep 28, 1994CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Judiciary Committee
  18. Aug 11, 1994CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Senate Judiciary Committee
  19. Aug 9, 1994CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
  20. IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the Senate
Data notes

Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.

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Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.