Washington D.C. – An amendment proposed by Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) seeking to establish cognitive guidelines for members of Congress was unanimously rejected by the House Appropriations Committee last month. The proposal aimed to direct the Office of Congressional Conduct to develop a standard for evaluating a member's ability to perform their duties "unimpeded by significant irreversible cognitive impairment."
Representative Gluesenkamp Perez, 37, introduced the amendment as part of the FY26 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act. She stated her intention was to strengthen House Ethics guidelines and restore public faith in Congress, noting a "profound erosion in trust in government." The amendment sought to address concerns about lawmakers' cognitive fitness, particularly given the increasing number of members aged 70 and older.
The rejection highlights the sensitivity of the issue within Congress. Gluesenkamp Perez noted that the conversation around cognitive standards is "uncomfortable" and that Congress is often reluctant to impose new internal rules. Despite the setback, the Washington Democrat has indicated her intent to continue advocating for reforms, potentially by reintroducing the measure in the future.
Gluesenkamp Perez, a relative newcomer to Congress and an auto shop owner, has emphasized the need for systemic transparency and accountability. She has pointed out the disparity between numerous rules governing minor ethical considerations, such as gifts, and the absence of clear criteria for addressing significant cognitive impairment among elected officials. Public sentiment, according to some reports, shows a significant appetite for such reforms.