Raising concern about the constitutional reforms in Mexico.
H. Res. 454 is a nonbinding resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives that raises concerns about Mexico’s constitutional reforms enacted in 2024–2025. The measure highlights changes to Mexico’s judiciary (including proposals for popular elections of judges and justices, weakened judicial independence, and lowered qualification standards) and broader reforms affecting autonomous institutions, energy, telecommunications, education, and enforcement of antitrust and transparency laws. It notes additional actions such as a prohibition on genetically modified corn and possible future changes to the National Electoral Institute (INE). The resolution argues these reforms could undermine Mexico’s democratic institutions, separation of powers, transparency, and security, and potentially conflict with USMCA commitments and shared efforts to combat organized crime, fentanyl trafficking, and other bilateral priorities. As a House resolution, it expresses sentiment and policy posture rather than creating new law; it instructs the Executive Branch to consider these concerns in the context of U.S.-Mexico relations and trade policy, and it references the upcoming USMCA review in 2026 as a touchpoint for bilateral engagement.
Key Points
- 1The resolution expresses concern about reforms to Mexico’s judiciary, including proposals for directly electing federal judges and Supreme Court justices, removal of independent judicial oversight, and relaxed qualification standards.
- 2It notes broader constitutional changes that would eliminate autonomous institutions overseeing social policy, education, energy, hydrocarbons, telecommunications, and enforcement of antitrust and transparency laws.
- 3It acknowledges a separate policy change: a ban on genetically modified corn implemented in March 2025, and identifies 2025 as a period when changes to the size and powers of the National Electoral Institute (INE) will be considered.
- 4The text emphasizes that reforms, and the accompanying secondary legislation, could undermine democratic institutions, separation of powers, judicial independence, transparency, and security, and may weaken Mexico’s electoral system, the National Guard, and independent oversight bodies.
- 5The resolution links these reforms to potential clashes with United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) commitments, and argues they could hinder joint efforts to strengthen the rule of law and reduce organized crime, fentanyl trafficking, and other bilateral security concerns, while reaffirming the importance of a strong, respectful U.S.–Mexico relationship.