HR-2722 : Still Just a Bill


Securing America's Federal Elections Act or the SAFE Act

This bill addresses election security through grant programs and requirements for voting systems and paper ballots.

The bill establishes requirements for voting systems, including that systems (1) use individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballots; (2) make a voter's marked ballot available for inspection and verification by the voter before the vote is cast; (3) ensure that individuals with disabilities are given an equivalent opportunity to vote, including with privacy and independence, in a manner that produces a voter-verified paper ballot; and (4) be manufactured in the United States.

The National Science Foundation must award grants to study, test, and develop accessible voter-verified paper ballot voting and best practices to enhance the accessibility of such voting for individuals with disabilities, for voters whose primary language is not English, and for voters with difficulties in literacy.

The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) must award grants to states to (1) replace certain voting systems, carry out voting system security improvements, and implement and model best practices for ballot design, ballot instructions, and the testing of ballots; and (2) conduct risk-limiting audits.

States may use elections requirements payments to carry out activities related to election security.

The EAC must provide for the testing of voting system hardware and software and decertify such technology that does not meet guidelines.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2019-06-28IntroReferralReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.Senate
2019-06-27FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2019-06-27VoteOn passage Passed by recorded vote: 225 - 184 (Roll no. 428). (text: CR H4207-4214)House floor actions
2019-06-27VoteOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 189 - 220 (Roll no. 427).House floor actions
2019-06-27FloorThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.House floor actions
2019-06-27FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rodney Davis (IL) motion to recommit with instructions, pending reservation of a point of order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a new section to the bill that would require each chief state election official to disclose the identity of any foreign national with access to certain voting materials, including ballots or voting machines. Subsequently, the point of order was withdrawn.House floor actions
2019-06-27FloorMr. Davis, Rodney moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on House Administration.House floor actions
2019-06-27FloorConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5243-5246)House floor actions
2019-06-27FloorPOSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule 19, the Chair postponed further proceedings on H.R. 2722.House floor actions
2019-06-27FloorThe previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
2019-06-27FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2722.House floor actions
2019-06-27FloorRule provides for consideration of H.R. 2722 and H.R. 3351. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2722 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3351 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate.House floor actions
2019-06-27FloorConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 460. (consideration: CR H5207-5223)House floor actions
2019-06-26CalendarsPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 94.House floor actions
2019-06-26DischargeCommittee on Science, Space, and Technology discharged.House floor actions
2019-06-26CommitteeReported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 116-129, Part I.House floor actions
2019-06-24FloorRules Committee Resolution H. Res. 460 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2722 and H.R. 3351. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2722 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3351 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate.House floor actions
2019-06-21CommitteeOrdered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 6 - 3.House committee actions
2019-06-21CommitteeCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.House committee actions
2019-05-14IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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 committee concerned.House floor actions
2019-05-14IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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 committee concerned.House floor actions
2019-05-14IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Government Operations and Politics
Related Subjects
  • Accounting and auditing
  • Adult education and literacy
  • Advisory bodies
  • Buy American requirements
  • Computer security and identity theft
  • Congressional elections
  • Congressional oversight
  • Disability and paralysis
  • Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
  • Foreign language and bilingual programs
  • Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
  • Government information and archives
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Hearing, speech, and vision care
  • Internet, web applications, social media
  • Manufacturing
  • Public contracts and procurement
  • Research administration and funding
  • Research and development
  • Right of privacy
  • State and local government operations
  • Technology assessment
  • Telephone and wireless communication
  • Voting rights
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Related Bills

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