Top Legislation - View All
Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. Bill TextTo change the date for regularly scheduled Federal elections and establish polling place hours. 6/11/2008--Introduced. Weekend Voting Act - Amends the Revised Statutes with respect to the time of election to establish the first Saturday and Sunday after the first Friday in November, in every even numbered year, as the days for the election, in each state and territory, of Delegates to, or Members of, Congress.Amends federal law with respect to presidential elections and vacancies to establish the first Saturday and Sunday after the first Friday in November, in every fourth year, as the days for the election of the President and Vice President of the United States. Amends such federal laws to establish the same polling place hours in the United States for both congressional and presidential elections, namely from 10:00 a.m. EST on Saturday till 6:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, with polls allowed to close between the hours of 10:00 p.m. local time on Saturday and 6:00 [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Airports, Alcoholic beverages, College sports, Courthouses, Criminal justice, Education, Educational facilities, Elections, Federal preemption, Firearms, Firearms control, Food, Higher education, Interstate relations, Law, Licenses, Local laws, Prisons, Public meetings, Sports, State and local government, State laws, Transportation
Latest Action: 01/25/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Bill TextA bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a national standard in accordance with which nonresidents of a State may carry concealed firearms in the State. 1/25/2007--Introduced. Amends the federal criminal code to authorize a nonresident of a state to carry concealed firearms (other than a machinegun or destructive device) in that state if such nonresident has a valid permit to carry firearms in any state and is not prohibited from carrying a firearm under federal law, subject to restrictions imposed by the state issuing the permit or under this Act.
Also tagged in: Accounting, Actions and defenses, Campaign funds, Congress, Congressional elections, Constitution, Constitutional law, Election candidates, Elections, Finance, Fund raising, Government information, Government paperwork, Injunctions, Judicial review, Law, Members of Congress, Parties to actions, Political action committees, Political advertising, Political parties, Politics and government, Presidential elections, Presidents, Voter registration
Latest Action: 01/11/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. Bill TextTo amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to clarify when organizations described in section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 must register as political committees, and for other purposes. 1/11/2007--Introduced. 527 Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to subject to its requirements as a political committee any applicable 527 organization. Excludes from the meaning of 527 organization for these purposes any committee, club, association, or other group of persons organized to influence: (1) the selection, nomination, election, appointment, or confirmation of one or more candidates to non-federal or non-elected office; or (2) any state or local ballot measure. Denies exception from treatment as an applicable 527 organization to any such a committee, club, association, or other groups of persons which makes disbursements aggregating more than $1,000 for: (1) a public communication that promotes, supports, attacks,[...] show full description
Also tagged in: Absentee voting, Ballots, Budgets, Congress, Congressional elections, Election administration, Elections, Grants-in-aid, Identification devices, Photography, Presidential elections, Presidents, User charges
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: Accounting, Actions and defenses, Campaign funds, Congress, Congressional elections, Constitution, Constitutional law, Election candidates, Elections, Finance, Fund raising, Government information, Government paperwork, Injunctions, Judicial review, Law, Members of Congress, Parties to actions, Political action committees, Political advertising, Political parties, Politics and government, Presidential elections, Presidents, Voter registration
Latest Action: 01/31/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1440-1441) Bill TextA bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to clarify when organizations described in section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 must register as political committees, and for other purposes. 1/31/2007--Introduced. 527 Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to subject to its requirements as a political committee any applicable 527 organization.Excludes from the meaning of 527 organization for these purposes any committee, club, association, or other group of persons organized to influence: (1) the selection, nomination, election, appointment, or confirmation of one or more candidates to non-federal or non-elected office; or (2) any state or local ballot measure.Denies exception from treatment as an applicable 527 organization to any such a committee, club, association, or other groups of persons which makes disbursements aggregating more than $1,000 for: (1) a public communication that promotes, supports, attacks,[...] show full description
Also tagged in: Africa (Sub-Saharan), Alien property, Civil liberties, Commemorations, Communications, Congressional tributes, Criminal justice, Democracy, Diplomacy, Dissenters, Economic assistance, Election candidates, Elections, Ethnic relations, Foreign aid, Foreign leaders, Foreign policy, Freedom of association, Freedom of the press, Human rights, Immigration, International affairs, International finance, Kenya, Negotiations, Police, Police brutality, Political parties, Political violence, Politics and government, President and foreign policy, Presidential elections, Presidents, Public demonstrations, Refugees, Right of assembly, Right to travel, Sanctions (International law), Transportation, United Nations
Latest Action: 01/29/2008 - Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S456-457) Bill TextA resolution calling for a peaceful resolution to the current electoral crisis in Kenya. 1/29/2008--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.) Commends the Kenyan people for their commitment to democracy, as evidenced by the high voter turnout and peaceful voting on election day. Condemns: (1) the violence in Kenya; and (2) threats to civil leaders and human rights activists. Urges politicians and political parties to desist from the deactivation and use of ethnic militias. Calls on the two leading presidential candidates to engage in an internationally brokered dialogue and respect the will of the Kenyan people. Calls for: (1) those who are found guilty of human rights violations to be held accountable for their actions; and (2) an end to restrictions on the media [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Advice and consent of the Senate, Cabinet officers, China, Congress, Congressional voting, Department of Homeland Security, Diplomats, East Asia, Elections, Electoral college, Europe, Foreign policy, France, International affairs, Nominations for office, Political parties, Politics and government, Presidential appointments, Presidential succession, Presidents, Resignation from office, Russia, Salaries, United Kingdom, United Nations, Vice Presidents
Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Bill TextTo amend chapter 1 of title 3, United States Code, relating to Presidential succession. 1/17/2007--Introduced. Presidential Succession Act of 2007 - Modifies the presidential succession list to include, following the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Ambassador to the United Nations, the Ambassador to Great Britain, the Ambassador to Russia, the Ambassador to China, and the Ambassador to France. Revises the provision specifying how long an acting President shall serve to provide that an acting President shall continue to serve as such until the expiration of the then current Presidential term or until the disability of the President or Vice-President is removed. Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) votes by electors after the death or incapacity of nominees; and (2) the continuity of government and the transition of executive power.
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 administration, 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, 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 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: Auditing, Business, Charities, Congressional reporting requirements, Corporate governance, Corporation directors, Disaster relief, Elections, Electronic data interchange, Emergency management, Finance, Foreign aid, Foreign policy, Government information, Government paperwork, International affairs, International relief, Law, Nongovernmental organizations, Ombudsman, Politics and government, Presidential appointments, Presidents, Social services, Technology, Telecommunication, Term limits, Trusts and trustees
Latest Action: 03/16/2007 - Message on Senate action sent to the House. Bill TextA bill to amend the Congressional Charter of The American National Red Cross to modernize its governance structure, to enhance the ability of the board of governors of The American National Red Cross to support the critical mission of The American Red Cross in the 21st century, and for other purposes. 3/15/2007--Passed Senate amended. (There is 1 other summary) American National Red Cross Governance Modernization Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) charitable organizations are an indispensable part of American society; (2) such organizations must maintain the trust of the American public by fostering effective governance and transparency; (3) the American National Red Cross (ANRC) is and will remain a federally chartered instrumentality of the United States; and (4) the ANRC should maintain appropriate communications with state regulators of charitable organizations and cooperate with such regulators.(Sec. 3) Amends [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Aged, Allegiance, Bilingualism, Budgets, Citizenship, Civil rights, Communications, Discrimination, Elections, English language, Entitlements, Federal preemption, Government information, Government publications, Immigration, Income tax, Local laws, Loyalty oaths, Minorities, Naturalization, Politics and government, Social services, State and local government, State laws, Tax returns, Taxation, Translating and interpreting, Voting rights
Latest Action: 05/18/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education. Bill TextTo amend title 4, United States Code, to declare English as the official language of the Government of the United States, and for other purposes. 1/31/2007--Introduced. National Language Act of 2007 - Makes English the official language of the U.S. government. Requires the government to: (1) conduct its official business in English, including publications, income tax forms, and informational materials; and (2) preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the United States of America. Provides that no person has a right, entitlement, or claim to have the government act, communicate, perform, or provide services or materials in any other language, unless specifically stated in applicable law. Provides that this Act shall not apply to the use of a language other than English for religious purposes, for training in foreign languages for international communication, or in school programs designed to encourage students to learn foreign languages. [...] show full description
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Latest Legislation - View All
Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. Bill TextTo change the date for regularly scheduled Federal elections and establish polling place hours. 6/11/2008--Introduced. Weekend Voting Act - Amends the Revised Statutes with respect to the time of election to establish the first Saturday and Sunday after the first Friday in November, in every even numbered year, as the days for the election, in each state and territory, of Delegates to, or Members of, Congress.Amends federal law with respect to presidential elections and vacancies to establish the first Saturday and Sunday after the first Friday in November, in every fourth year, as the days for the election of the President and Vice President of the United States. Amends such federal laws to establish the same polling place hours in the United States for both congressional and presidential elections, namely from 10:00 a.m. EST on Saturday till 6:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, with polls allowed to close between the hours of 10:00 p.m. local time on Saturday and 6:00 [...] show full description
Latest Action: 02/14/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1056-1057) Bill TextA bill to change the date for regularly scheduled Federal elections and establish polling place hours. 2/14/2008--Introduced. Weekend Voting Act - Amends the Revised Statutes with respect to the time of election to establish the first Saturday and Sunday after the first Friday in November, in every even numbered year, as the days for the election, in each state and territory, of Delegates to, or Members of, Congress.Amends federal law with respect to presidential elections and vacancies to establish the first Saturday and Sunday after the first Friday in November, in every fourth year, as the days for the election of the President and Vice President of the United States. Amends such federal laws to establish the same polling place hours in the United States for both congressional and presidential elections, namely from 10:00 a.m. EST on Saturday till 6:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, with polls allowed to close between the hours of 10:00 p.m. local time on Saturday and [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Africa (Sub-Saharan), Alien property, Civil liberties, Commemorations, Communications, Congressional tributes, Criminal justice, Democracy, Diplomacy, Dissenters, Economic assistance, Election candidates, Elections, Ethnic relations, Foreign aid, Foreign leaders, Foreign policy, Freedom of association, Freedom of the press, Human rights, Immigration, International affairs, International finance, Kenya, Negotiations, Police, Police brutality, Political parties, Political violence, Politics and government, President and foreign policy, Presidential elections, Presidents, Public demonstrations, Refugees, Right of assembly, Right to travel, Sanctions (International law), Transportation, United Nations
Latest Action: 01/29/2008 - Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S456-457) Bill TextA resolution calling for a peaceful resolution to the current electoral crisis in Kenya. 1/29/2008--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.) Commends the Kenyan people for their commitment to democracy, as evidenced by the high voter turnout and peaceful voting on election day. Condemns: (1) the violence in Kenya; and (2) threats to civil leaders and human rights activists. Urges politicians and political parties to desist from the deactivation and use of ethnic militias. Calls on the two leading presidential candidates to engage in an internationally brokered dialogue and respect the will of the Kenyan people. Calls for: (1) those who are found guilty of human rights violations to be held accountable for their actions; and (2) an end to restrictions on the media [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Africa (Sub-Saharan), Alien property, Civil liberties, Clergy, Commemorations, Communications, Congressional tributes, Criminal justice, Democracy, Diplomacy, Dissenters, Economic assistance, Election candidates, Elections, Ethnic relations, Foreign aid, Foreign leaders, Foreign policy, Freedom of association, Freedom of the press, Human rights, International affairs, International agencies, International finance, Kenya, Negotiations, Police, Police brutality, Political parties, Political violence, Politics and government, President and foreign policy, Presidential elections, Presidents, Public demonstrations, Religion, Religious liberty, Right of assembly, Right to travel, Sanctions (International law), Transportation, United Nations
Latest Action: 02/08/2008 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Bill TextCalling for a peaceful resolution to the current electoral crisis in Kenya. 2/7/2008--Passed House amended. (There is 1 other summary) Commends the Kenyan people for their commitment to democracy and respect for the democratic process as evidenced by the high voter turnout and peaceful voting on election day. Condemns the ongoing violence in Kenya and urges all parties concerned to immediately end use of violence as a means to achieve their political objectives. Calls on the two leading presidential candidates to accept offers of external and internal assistance to help find a solution to the current crisis which has the support of the people of Kenya. Calls on Kenyan security forces to refrain from using excessive force and to respect the human rights of Kenyan citizens. Calls for an immediate end to the restrictions on the media, and on the rights of peaceful assembly and association. Condemns threats to civil society [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Civil rights, Election administration, Elections, Fines (Penalties), Government information, Government paperwork, Law, State and local government, State laws, Voter registration, 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
Also tagged in: Absentee voting, Americans in foreign countries, Armed forces, Armed forces abroad, Budgets, Congress, Congressional elections, Defense policy, Elections, Federal employees, Government employees, Government information, Government publicity, Grants-in-aid, Immigration, Law, Passports, Presidential elections, Presidents, State and local government, State laws, Witnesses
Latest Action: 11/14/2007 - Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com Bill TextTo amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to promote the participation of absent overseas voters in elections for Federal office, and for other purposes. 11/14/2007--Introduced. Overseas Voting Education and Reform, Safeguarding Every American's Vote Act, or OVERSEAS Vote Act - Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) to prohibit a state from refusing to accept or process any otherwise valid absentee ballot submitted by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter on the grounds that the envelope in which the ballot is submitted is not notarized or witnessed by a notary public or other official authorized to administer oaths. Repeals the requirement to apply for state absentee ballot as a condition for use of a federal write-in absentee ballot. Permits voters to request absentee ballots in all subsequent elections. Directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to establish and operate a program [...] 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: Civil rights, Election administration, Elections, Fines (Penalties), Government information, Government paperwork, Law, State and local government, State laws, Voter registration, 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 administration, 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 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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