Confirmation Of Congressional Observer Access Act of 2023 or the COCOA Act of 2023
This bill provides statutory authority for designated congressional election observers. Designated congressional election observer refers to an employee of the House of Representatives who is designated in writing by the chair or ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration to gather information with respect to an election, including in the event that the election is contested in the House and for other purposes permitted by Article I, Section 5, clause 1 and Article I, Section 4, clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution.
The bill requires states to provide designated congressional election observers with full access to clearly observe all elements of administration procedures of federal elections, including access to any area in which a ballot is cast, processed, scanned, tabulated, canvassed, recounted, audited, or certified, including during pre- and post-election procedures.
The bill prohibits such an observer from handling ballots or election equipment, advocating for a position or candidate, taking any action to reduce ballot secrecy or voter privacy, taking any action to interfere with the ability of a voter to cast a ballot or an election administrator to carry out the administrator's duties, or otherwise interfering with the election administration process.
The bill specifies the conduct for which designated congressional election observers may be removed by election officials. In the event of removal, the election official must provide written notice to the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10-04 | President | Became Public Law No: 118-106. | Library of Congress |
| 2024-10-04 | President | Signed by President. | Library of Congress |
| 2024-10-01 | Floor | Presented to President. | House floor actions |
| 2024-09-25 | ResolvingDifferences | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2024-09-25 | Vote | On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 1 (Roll no. 449). (text: CR H5791) | House floor actions |
| 2024-09-25 | Floor | Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 6513 - "An Act to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to confirm the requirement that States allow access to designated congressional election observers to observe the election administration procedures in congressional elections." (consideration: CR H5800) | House floor actions |
| 2024-09-25 | ResolvingDifferences | At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed. | House floor actions |
| 2024-09-25 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 6513. | House floor actions |
| 2024-09-25 | ResolvingDifferences | Mr. Steil moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H5791-5792) | House floor actions |
| 2024-09-25 | Floor | Message on Senate action sent to the House. | Senate |
| 2024-09-24 | Floor | Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. | Senate |
| 2024-09-24 | Floor | Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. | Senate |
| 2024-09-24 | Discharge | Senate Committee on Rules and Administration discharged by Unanimous Consent. | Senate |
| 2024-09-10 | IntroReferral | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. | Senate |
| 2024-09-09 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2024-09-09 | Floor | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5049-5050) | House floor actions |
| 2024-09-09 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6513. | House floor actions |
| 2024-09-09 | Floor | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5049-5051) | House floor actions |
| 2024-09-09 | Floor | Mr. Steil moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. | House floor actions |
| 2024-01-29 | Calendars | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 296. | House floor actions |
| 2024-01-29 | Committee | Reported by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 118-361. | House floor actions |
| 2023-11-30 | Committee | Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote. | House committee actions |
| 2023-11-30 | Committee | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held | House committee actions |
| 2023-11-30 | IntroReferral | Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. | House floor actions |
| 2023-11-30 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |