H. Res. 315 is a commemorative resolution honoring the 159th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which was passed on April 9, 1866. This historic law was the first federal legislation to define citizenship and guarantee equal legal protection to all Americans regardless of race, and it was enacted to counter Southern states' attempts to restrict the rights of formerly enslaved Black citizens through discriminatory laws that prevented property ownership, contracts, and labor rights. The resolution recognizes that President Andrew Johnson initially vetoed the bill, but Congress successfully overrode his veto in both chambers, making it law despite his opposition. The measure acknowledges that this landmark act became the foundation for the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments and remains significant for establishing the principle of equal protection under law. As a House resolution, this bill has no funding or programmatic impact; it simply serves as an official recognition of the law's historical importance and advocates for continued support of equal rights for all Americans.
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