Top Legislation - View All
Also tagged in: Administrative remedies, Campaign funds, Campaign management, Conflict of interests, Congress, Congressional elections, Corruption in politics, Elections, Executive departments, Federal Election Commission, Fines (Penalties), Fund raising, Government employees, Government employees' political activities, Government ethics, Law, Politics and government, Presidential elections, Presidents, Public corruption, State and local government, State officials
Latest Action: 01/05/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E3) Bill TextTo amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit certain State election administration officials from actively participating in electoral campaigns. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Federal Election Integrity Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to make it unlawful for a chief state election administration official to take active part in political management or in a political campaign with respect to any election for federal office over which the official has supervisory authority.
Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Bill TextProposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States regarding the right to vote. 2/13/2007--Introduced. Constitutional Amendment - Provides that all U.S. citizens who are eighteen years of age or older shall have the right to vote in any public election held in the jurisdiction in which the citizen resides. Allows the United States or any state to establish regulations narrowly tailored to produce efficient and honest elections. Requires each state to: (1) administer public elections in the state in accordance with election performance standards established by the Congress; and (2) provide any eligible voter the opportunity to register and vote on the day of any public election. Requires Congress to reconsider election performance standards at least once every four years to determine if higher standards should be established to reflect improvements in methods and practices regarding election administration.
Also tagged in: Administration of justice, Armed forces, Arms sales, Assassination, Bombings, Civil liberties, Communications, Constitutions, Counterterrorism, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Defense policy, Democracy, Detention of persons, Elections, Foreign aid, Foreign leaders, Foreign policy, Freedom of the press, Human rights, International affairs, Law, Loyalty oaths, Military assistance, Military regimes, Officer personnel, Opposition (Political science), Pakistan, Parliamentary government, Political prisoners, Politics and government, Rule of law, South Asia, Supreme Court justices, Terrorism, Trade, Weapons systems
Latest Action: 11/08/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S14201-14202) Bill TextA resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the declaration of a state of emergency in Pakistan. 11/8/2007--Introduced. Expresses the sense of the Senate: (1) condemning the decision by President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan to declare a state of emergency in Pakistan and calling on President Musharraf to revoke the state of emergency; (2) calling upon President Musharraf to honor his commitment to relinquish his position as Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan and allow free parliamentary elections in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan; (3) that the U.S. government should provide assistance to facilitate such elections; (4) calling upon the government of Pakistan to conduct a full investigation into the attempted assassination of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto; and (5) that U.S. military assistance to Pakistan should be subjected to careful review, and that assistance for certain weapons systems not directly related to the fight against Al Qaeda [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Administrative procedure, Administrative remedies, Advice and consent of the Senate, Authorization, Budgets, Campaign funds, Civil liberties, Collection of accounts, Confidential communications, Congress, Congressional elections, Congressional investigations, Congressional reporting requirements, Criminal justice, Directories, Election candidates, Election fraud, Elections, Evidence (Law), Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Federal budgets, Federal Election Commission, Federal employees, Federal officials, Fines (Penalties), Freedom of association, Freedom of speech, Government attorneys, Government employees, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Governmental investigations, Grievance procedures, Independent regulatory commissions, Injunctions, Inspectors general, Judicial review, Law, Law enforcement, Legislation, Liability (Law), Limitation of actions, Presidential appointments, Presidential elections, Presidents, Public records, Right of privacy, Sentences (Criminal procedure), Subpoena, Transfer of employees
Latest Action: 01/11/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. Bill TextTo amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to replace the Federal Election Commission with the Federal Election Administration, and for other purposes. 1/11/2007--Introduced. Federal Election Administration Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to replace the Federal Election Commission with the Federal Election Administration (FEA) as an independent establishment to enforce federal campaign finance laws.Requires enforcement proceedings for violations of campaign finance laws to be conducted before administrative law judges. Allows any final determination made by an administrative law judge to be appealed to the FEA for final agency action, subject to judicial review. Authorizes the FEA to impose civil penalties, issue cease-and-desist orders, and report apparent criminal violations to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Allows the FEA to conduct audits and field examinations of campaign committees. Prescribes criminal penalties [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Absentee voting, Ballots, Budgets, Congress, Congressional elections, Elections, Grants-in-aid, Identification devices, Photography, Presidential elections, Presidents, User charges, Voting
Latest Action: 01/16/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. Bill TextTo amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require each individual who desires to vote in an election for Federal office to provide the appropriate election official with a government-issued photo identification, and for other purposes. 1/16/2007--Introduced. Federal Election Integrity Act of 2007 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit the appropriate state or local election official from providing a federal election ballot to an individual who desires to vote in person unless the individual presents to the official: (1) a government-issued, current, and valid photo identification (ID); or (2) for regularly scheduled federal general elections held in November 2010 and subsequent years, a government-issued, current, and valid photo ID for which the individual was required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship as a condition for issuance of the ID. Requires an individual who does not present such an ID to be permitted to cast a provisional ballot in [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Absentee voting, Aged, Armed forces, Congress, Congressional districts, Congressional elections, Congressional reporting requirements, Defense policy, Disabled, District of Columbia, Elections, Electoral college, Maryland, Members of Congress, Political representation, Politics and government, Presidential elections, Presidents, Soldier voting, State and local government, State laws, State-local relations, Voter registration, Voting of the disabled, Voting of the elderly, Voting rights
Latest Action: 03/19/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia. Bill TextTo restore the Federal electoral rights of the residents of the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. 1/16/2007--Introduced. District of Columbia Voting Rights Restoration Act of 2007 - Restores the right of District of Columbia residents to participate as Maryland residents in congressional elections and presidential elections. Repeals provisions of: (1) the District of Columbia Delegate Act that establishes the office of District of Columbia Delegate to the House of Representatives; and (2) the District of Columbia Statehood Constitution Convention Initiative of 1979 that provides for electing a Senator and Representative for the District.
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Administrative procedure, Broadcasting, Civil rights, Civil rights enforcement, Communications, Congress, Congressional elections, Congressional reporting requirements, Conspiracy, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Department of Justice, Election fraud, Elections, Executive departments, Government information, Government publicity, Governmental investigations, Law, Political parties, Presidential elections, Presidents, Primaries, Prosecution, Public service advertising, Runoff elections, Sentences (Criminal procedure), Sentencing guidelines, Telecommunication, U.S. Sentencing Commission, Voter registration, Voting rights
Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-191. Additional views filed. Bill TextA bill to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections. 10/4/2007--Reported to Senate amended. (There is 1 other summary) Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Revised Statutes and federal criminal law to prohibit any person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, from knowingly deceiving any other person regarding: (1) the time, place, or manner of conducting any federal election; or (2) the qualifications for or restrictions on voter eligibility for any such election. Makes intent to prevent another person from exercising the right to vote, or from voting for the candidate of such other person's choice, an essential element of the offense. Prescribes a criminal penalty for such deceptive acts.Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and, if appropriate, amend the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of any offense under [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Administrative procedure, Administrative remedies, Advice and consent of the Senate, Authorization, Budgets, Campaign funds, Civil liberties, Collection of accounts, Confidential communications, Congress, Congressional elections, Congressional investigations, Congressional reporting requirements, Criminal justice, Directories, Election candidates, Election fraud, Elections, Evidence (Law), Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Federal budgets, Federal Election Commission, Federal employees, Federal officials, Fines (Penalties), Freedom of association, Freedom of speech, Government attorneys, Government employees, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Governmental investigations, Grievance procedures, Independent regulatory commissions, Injunctions, Inspectors general, Judicial review, Law, Law enforcement, Legislation, Liability (Law), Limitation of actions, Presidential appointments, Presidential elections, Presidents, Public records, Right of privacy, Sentences (Criminal procedure), Subpoena, Transfer of employees
Latest Action: 02/01/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1529) Bill TextA bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to replace the Federal Election Commission with Federal Election Administration, and for other purposes. 2/1/2007--Introduced. Federal Election Administration Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to replace the Federal Election Commission with the Federal Election Administration (FEA) as an independent establishment to enforce federal campaign finance laws.Requires enforcement proceedings for violations of campaign finance laws to be conducted before administrative law judges. Allows any final determination made by an administrative law judge to be appealed to the FEA for final agency action, subject to judicial review. Authorizes the FEA to impose civil penalties, issue cease-and-desist orders, and report apparent criminal violations to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Allows the FEA to conduct audits and field examinations of campaign committees. Prescribes criminal penalties [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Absentee voting, Administrative fees, Administrative procedure, Administrative remedies, Armed forces, Authorization, Ballots, Blind, Budgets, Business, Business records, Civil liberties, Communications, Competitive bidding, Computer software, Computers, Conflict of interests, Congress, Congressional elections, Corporation directors, Corruption in politics, Defense policy, Department of Justice, Directories, Disabled, Election Assistance Commission, Election fraud, Elections, Evidence (Law), Executive departments, Federal Election Commission, Fines (Penalties), Freedom of information, Fund raising, Government employees, Government employees' political activities, Government ethics, Government information, Government paperwork, Government procurement, Government publicity, Governmental investigations, Grants-in-aid, Illiteracy, Independent regulatory commissions, Internet, Laboratories, Language and languages, Law, Licenses, Political action committees, Politics and government, Presidential elections, Presidents, Public contracts, Public corruption, Right of privacy, Runoff elections, Science policy, Security measures, Soldier voting, Special elections, Standards, State and local government, State officials, State politics and government, Technology, Telecommunication, Voter registration, Voting, Voting machines, Voting of the disabled, Voting rights, Wireless communication
Latest Action: 02/13/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1903-1904) Bill TextA bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require a voter-verified permanent paper ballot under title III of such Act, and for other purposes. 2/13/2007--Introduced. Vote Integrity and Verification Act of 2007 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) with respect to: (1) ballot verification and mandatory paper record audit capacity; and (2) accessibility and ballot verification of results for individuals with disabilities.Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to study, test, and develop best practices to enhance the accessibility of ballot verification mechanisms for individuals with disabilities, voters whose primary language is not English, and voters with difficulties in literacy.Requires laboratories to meet standards prohibiting conflicts of interest as a condition of accreditation for the testing of voting system hardware and software.Outlines additional voting system requirements and prohibitions.[...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Congress, Congressional elections, Election Assistance Commission, Elections, Executive departments, Independent regulatory commissions, Law, Presidential elections, Presidents, Voter registration, Voting machines
Latest Action: 01/31/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. Bill TextTo amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to direct the Election Assistance Commission to develop and adopt guidelines for electronic poll books in the same manner as the Commission develops and adopts voluntary voting system guidelines under the Act, and for other purposes. 1/31/2007--Introduced. E-Poll Book Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to direct the Election Assistance Commission to develop and adopt guidelines for electronic poll books in the same manner as the Commission develops and adopts voluntary voting system guidelines. Provides that, for certification and testing purposes, electronic poll books shall be treated as part of the hardware and software of a voting system, without regard to whether or not the electronic poll book operates by integration with a voting system or independently.
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Latest Legislation - View All
Also tagged in: Africa (Sub-Saharan), Armed forces, Arms control, Arms sales, Church and social problems, Civil liberties, Commemorations, Congressional tributes, Criminal justice, Defense policy, Democracy, Diplomacy, Diplomats, Elections, Embargo, Foreign aid, Foreign policy, Human rights, International affairs, International agencies, International relief, Labor, Labor unions, Law, Opposition (Political science), Peace negotiations, Police, Police-community relations, Political parties, Political violence, Politics and government, Religion, Rule of law, Runoff elections, Sanctions (International law), Torture, Trade, United Nations, Weapons systems, Zimbabwe
Latest Action: 06/19/2008 - Considered as unfinished business. Bill TextCondemning postelection violence in Zimbabwe and calling for a peaceful resolution to the current political crisis. 6/19/2008--Passed House amended. (There is 1 other summary) Condemns the campaign of violence and harassment in Zimbabwe conducted by the ruling party and its supporters in the police and military against members of the opposition and other civilians. Calls on the government of Zimbabwe to create an environment conducive to a peaceful transition of power. Encourages the political parties to commit to forming a government that reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people and promotes national unity. Urges the international community, under the leadership of the United Nations, the African Union (AU), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), to deploy monitors to ensure that the presidential runoff election reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people. Commends: (1) the people of Zimbabwe for their [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Africa (Sub-Saharan), Armed forces, Arms sales, Civil liberties, Democracy, Detention of persons, Economic assistance, Elections, Embargo, Foreign aid, Foreign leaders, Foreign policy, Human rights, International affairs, International cooperation, Parliamentary government, Political parties, Political persecution, Political violence, Politics and government, Regionalism (International organization), Sanctions (International law), Trade, United Nations, Weapons systems, Zimbabwe
Latest Action: 04/29/2008 - Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. Bill TextA resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the political situation in Zimbabwe. 4/29/2008--Passed Senate without amendment. (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Expresses the sense of the Senate: (1) supporting the people of Zimbabwe; (2) that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission should immediately release the legitimate results of the presidential election and ratify the previously announced results of the parliamentary elections; (3) that President Robert Mugabe should accept the will of the people of Zimbabwe in order to effect a timely and peaceful transition to democratic rule; (4) that the U.S. government and the international community should impose targeted sanctions against individuals in the government of Zimbabwe and state security services and militias who are responsible for human rights abuses [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Ballots, Budgets, Congress, Congressional elections, Elections, Government information, Government paperwork, Grants-in-aid, Presidential elections, Presidents, Voting machines
Latest Action: 07/15/2008 - Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6536-6541; text of measure as reported in House: CR H6536) Bill TextTo direct the Election Assistance Commission to establish a program to make grants to participating States and units of local government which will administer the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2008 for carrying out a program to make backup paper ballots available in the case of the failure of a voting system or voting equipment in the election or some other emergency situation, and for other purposes. 5/15/2008--Reported to House without amendment. (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Directs the Election Assistance Commission to make a grant to each participating state and unit of local government for carrying out a program to make backup paper ballots available in the case of the failure of a voting system or voting equipment or some other emergency situation in the administration of the regularly [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administration of justice, Assassination, Bombings, Civil liberties, Commemorations, Communications, Congressional tributes, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Democracy, Elections, Foreign aid, Foreign leaders, Foreign policy, Freedom of speech, Freedom of the press, Human rights, International affairs, Law, Military assistance, Opposition (Political science), Pakistan, Political prisoners, Political violence, Politics and government, President and foreign policy, Presidents, Sanctions (International law), Security measures, South Asia
Latest Action: 02/07/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S795-796) Bill TextA resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the assassination of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto, and the political crisis in Pakistan. 2/7/2008--Introduced. Conveys the condolences of the people of the United States to the people of Pakistan on the tragic loss of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Condemns the December 2007 murder of Benazir Bhutto and the slaughter of at least 165 other Pakistani citizens in this attack and the prior attempt on Benazir Bhutto's life. Calls upon the government of Pakistan to: (1) bring the perpetrators to justice and to support an independent inquiry into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto; (2) ensure that free elections are held on February 18, 2008, as scheduled; (3) end the harassment of judges, opposition party activists, and lawyers; and (4) end restrictions on the media and freedom of speech. Calls upon the President to: (1) review U.S. aid to Pakistan to ensure that all assistance [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Civil rights, Elections, Fines (Penalties), Government information, Government paperwork, Law, State and local government, State laws, Voter registration, Voting, Voting rights
Latest Action: 02/04/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Bill TextTo amend title 18, United States Code, to prevent the election practice known as caging, and for other purposes. 1/17/2008--Introduced. Caging Prohibition Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit state or local election officials from preventing an individual from registering or voting in any election for federal office, or from permitting a formal challenge under state law to an individual's registration status or eligibility to vote, if the basis for such decision is evidence consisting of: (1) a voter caging document or voter caging list; (2) an unverified match list; (3) an error or omission on voter application or registration documents that is not material to an individual's eligibility to vote; or (4) any other evidence so designated by the Election Assistance Commission. Defines "voter caging document" as: (1) a nonforwardable document that is returned to the sender or a third party as undelivered or undeliverable despite an attempt [...] show full description
Latest Action: 11/09/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. Bill TextTo amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to clarify the treatment of provisional ballots cast in elections for Federal office, and for other purposes. 11/9/2007--Introduced. Provisional Ballot Fairness in Counting Act of 2007 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to revise requirements for the treatment of provisional ballots in federal elections. Prohibits any election recount until all provisional votes have been counted. Requires the chief state election official, in determining whether to count a provisional vote, to review not only official registered voter lists but also any information an individual voter submitted during the registration process. Requires a provisional ballot in a federal election to be treated as a voter registration application if it is rejected on the ground that the individual is not registered to vote in the election.
Also tagged in: Administration of justice, Armed forces, Arms sales, Assassination, Bombings, Civil liberties, Communications, Constitutions, Counterterrorism, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Defense policy, Democracy, Detention of persons, Elections, Foreign aid, Foreign leaders, Foreign policy, Freedom of the press, Human rights, International affairs, Law, Loyalty oaths, Military assistance, Military regimes, Officer personnel, Opposition (Political science), Pakistan, Parliamentary government, Political prisoners, Politics and government, Rule of law, South Asia, Supreme Court justices, Terrorism, Trade, Weapons systems
Latest Action: 11/08/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S14201-14202) Bill TextA resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the declaration of a state of emergency in Pakistan. 11/8/2007--Introduced. Expresses the sense of the Senate: (1) condemning the decision by President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan to declare a state of emergency in Pakistan and calling on President Musharraf to revoke the state of emergency; (2) calling upon President Musharraf to honor his commitment to relinquish his position as Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan and allow free parliamentary elections in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan; (3) that the U.S. government should provide assistance to facilitate such elections; (4) calling upon the government of Pakistan to conduct a full investigation into the attempted assassination of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto; and (5) that U.S. military assistance to Pakistan should be subjected to careful review, and that assistance for certain weapons systems not directly related to the fight against Al Qaeda [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Civil rights, Elections, Fines (Penalties), Government information, Government paperwork, Law, State and local government, State laws, Voter registration, Voting, Voting rights
Latest Action: 02/27/2008 - Committee on Rules and Administration. Hearings held. Bill TextA bill to prevent voter caging. 11/5/2007--Introduced. Caging Prohibition Act of 2007 - Prohibits state or local election officials from preventing an individual from registering or voting in any election for federal office, or permitting a formal challenge under state law to an individual's registration status or eligibility to vote in a federal election, if the sole basis for such decision or challenge is evidence consisting of: (1) a voter caging document or voter caging list; (2) an unverified match list; or (3) any other evidence so designated for purposes of this Act by the Federal Election Commission.Defines "voter caging document" as: (1) any nonforwardable document that is sent to an individual at the address at which such individual is registered (or seeking to become registered) as a voter in a federal election, and that is returned to the sender or to a third party as undelivered or undeliverable; and (2) any document (other than a notice warning [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Ballots, Civil rights, Civil rights enforcement, Communications, Computer software, Conflict of interests, Congress, Congressional elections, Disabled, Election Assistance Commission, Elections, English language, Executive departments, Grants-in-aid, Illiteracy, Laboratories, Politics and government, Presidential elections, Presidents, Public contracts, Research and development, Research grants, Science policy, Standards, Technology, Test facilities, Voting, Voting machines, Voting of the disabled, Voting rights
Latest Action: 11/01/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13694-13695) Bill TextA bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require a voter-verified permanent paper ballot under title III of such Act, and for other purposes. 11/1/2007--Introduced. Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2007 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) with respect to: (1) ballot verification and mandatory paper record audit capacity; and (2) accessibility and ballot verification of results for individuals with disabilities.Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to study, test, and develop best practices to enhance the accessibility of ballot verification mechanisms for individuals with disabilities, voters whose primary language is not English, and voters with difficulties in literacy.Requires laboratories to meet standards prohibiting conflicts of interest as a condition of accreditation for the testing of voting system hardware and software.Outlines additional voting system requirements [...] show full description
Latest Action: 10/31/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. Bill TextTo prohibit election officials from requiring an individual to provide a photo identification as a condition for voting in an election for Federal office. 10/31/2007--Introduced. Voter Access Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit an election official from requiring an individual to provide a photo identification as a condition for receiving or casting a ballot in any election for federal office.
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