▶ 0:00:44To order. I note that a quorum is present. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare a recess at any time. Today, the committee on house administration will consider seven pieces of legislation. I want to begin with the campaign finance transparency act. Three years ago, this committee initiated an investigation into allegations of fraud involving the democratic fundraising platform actblue.
▶ 0:01:07That investigation exposed gaps in existing law that congress has an opportunity to address today. Our current campaign finance laws were not written for the digital age. Today, political donations are often made online. Through our investigation, we've learned that fraudsters and foreign nationals could exploit the current system to make illegal campaign finance contributions.
▶ 0:01:33That's an unacceptable vulnerability, and we have an opportunity to fix it. The campaign finance transparency act is the solution. Here's the top line. All political donations must be reported regardless of the amount. The name of a political donor must match the name on the donor's credit card. No contributions can be made utilizing gift cards.
▶ 0:01:56And americans who are donating from abroad must provide identity verification. We'll also consider two bills to stop foreign money from influencing our elections. Widespread reporting found that foreign billionaires used a nonprofit, the 1630 fund, to spread spend millions on ballot initiatives in states including arizona, nevada and ohio.
▶ 0:02:22Foreign nationals cannot be allowed to influence our american elections. That's why we've introduced the preventing foreign interference in american elections act, which bans foreign nationals from donating to electioneering activities. This includes voter registration, get out the vote efforts and ballot harvesting.
▶ 0:02:43Representative brian fitzpatrick bill, the stop foreign funds and elections act, will prohibit foreign funding of state and local ballot initiatives, referendums or recall elections. Both bills are common sense reforms. American elections are for american citizens only, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation today.
▶ 0:03:02We'll also consider representative bice's securing tech and american representative bice securing tech and election administration defenses for all states and territories or. The steadfast act. Took me a minute to get. The acronym is bice, but I love the acronym. Currently, when you are filing your tax return, there's an option to donate to the presidential election campaign fund.
▶ 0:03:28These funds are available to candidates running for presidency, but no major party nominee has tapped this money since 2008. When I believe john mccain used the funds, the steadfast act will convert the presidential election campaign fund to a new election security fund that states can apply for. States can use these funds to strengthen election security, such as updating cybersecurity for voting systems or acquiring secure paper ballots.
▶ 0:03:53Next, we'll consider the fec administrative improvement act, which is led by my friend, ranking member morelli and chair of the subcommittee on elections, representative lee. This bill would implement recommendations from the federal election commission to modernize administrative operations. We'll also consider representative johnson's vote act, which requires election officials to notify voters when a polling location is closed during early voting.
▶ 0:04:21Finally, we'll consider Mr. griffiths legislative branch agencies clarification act. I'm grateful to ranking member morelli for helping to get this to a good place, and to Mr. griffith for taking the lead on this important article one bill. We know how important article one is to all of us here, but in particular, the lead Mr. griffith has taken in being a steadfast supporter of article one.
▶ 0:04:45After bipartisan discussions with the ranking member, we made some tweaks to the bill, including including clarifying that the register of the copyright office must consult with the librarian of congress on regulations related to any material deposited in the copyright office. I thank my colleagues for being here today, and I look forward to a good conversation. In a productive discussion, I yield back, and I'll now recognize the ranking member, Mr. morelli, for five minutes. For the purpose of offering an opening statement. >> good morning. Uh, thank you, mister chair.
▶ 0:05:15Um, we're here to mark up several bills, some of which I enthusiastically support. Some of these. However, I have deep reservations about, as do my colleagues on this side. But I want to start, first of all, with a thank you to the chair. Uh, and, um, and all the colleagues and staff, I think, on this agenda, which is, as you've described, is very, um, we have had the great opportunity, I think, to engage in conversation that I think is, is in many of the cases resulted in better legislation.
▶ 0:05:45But I just appreciate the process, appreciate the partnership, and I appreciate the willingness of, uh, of members to, to have dialog and to try to get to a better place. Uh, broadly speaking, I just want to make an observation about where we are with our politics. I think in many ways, the american people have lost faith in their government, uh, public trust in institutions, both government and others. Uh, seems to be, um, in some places gone altogether.
▶ 0:06:12Uh, and I think in many ways, it's no wonder when I think about headline after headline about self-enrichment by, uh, the trump family, about, uh, administration fraud, waste, abuse, funneling millions of dollars in no bid contracts to friends and conservative allies.
▶ 0:06:33And after, uh, the president's aligned judges on the supreme court except luxury vacations and private jet travel and justice is accepting wildly inappropriate gifts from organizations and individuals with business before the court about the flood of billionaire money, of corporate money, of lobbyist influence, all of which is swamping american elections. And each of these continues to undermine public trust, which is at historic lows. And congress must do something about all of this.
▶ 0:07:02And I believe some of the bills will consider today, make important changes to enhance that trust. And so I will, uh, gratefully and enthusiastically support them. Other bills, I think, frankly, weaken that trust. Uh, folks on this side of the aisle will consider each of them on the merits and will offer amendments where appropriate this morning. But we will speak out against these bills that will continue this culture of corruption that has become so commonplace in the trump administration.
▶ 0:07:28But, uh, but again, I do want to thank you for your work and your cooperation and look forward to the conversation. With that, I yield back. >> the gentleman yields back. I now call up h.r. 8720, the campaign finance transparency act. The clerk will please report the bill. >> h.r. 8720. >> without objection, the first reading the bill is dispensed with. Also, without objection, the bill should be considered as read and open to amendment at any point. I have an amendment at the desk in the nature of a substitute.
▶ 0:07:57The clerk will report the amendment. >> amendment in the nature of a substitute. >> without objection, the amendment in the nature of a substitute is considered as read, and will serve as base text for the purpose of further amendment. I now recognize myself to speak on the a n s out of the gates. There's too much money in american politics. I think we. We all agree with that. And at an absolute minimum, I think we should all know that money being utilized in political elections by candidates is from us citizens, and it's from the people that it's.
▶ 0:08:27They say they are who are donating. We've investigated this issue, we've held hearings, we've seen the evidence. And it's I think it's pretty clear our campaign finance laws were not written for the digital age. Today, someone can make an illegal political donation online another person's name and get away with it. That's crazy. That's nuts. That's unacceptable. The campaign finance transparency act addresses these vulnerabilities by modernizing our campaign finance system.
▶ 0:08:56The bill requires the name of the donor to match the name on the credit card used to make the donation. Common sense requires reporting all contributions to campaigns, including those under $200. It requires donors making a contribution with a card to provide the cvv number or the cvv number. That's that 3 or 4 digit code on the back of your credit card, where you have to use.
▶ 0:09:24Almost anytime you buy something online, you're going to need to require that if you're making a political donation online, it requires additional verification for american citizens who are overseas to make sure that it's only american citizens that are contributing in elections. Many of these requirements are standard fraud prevention measures used every day in commerce in the united states, yet they're not used through many online campaign finance donation portals. I'll also point out that we've had several of these positions.
▶ 0:09:55Several of these provisions were adopted in the shield act, which was passed in the full house under suspension during the 118th congress. These reforms are common sense. This legislation increases transparency, provides safeguards against fraud, and updates are antiquated. Campaign finance system for the 21st century. I urge all of my colleagues to support the legislation. Uh. And I will now yield. If other members seek recognition for amendment or debate.
▶ 0:10:21The ranking member is recognized to strike the last word. >> yes. Uh, thank you, Mr. chair. Strike the last word. I want to thank you and your staff again for your collaborative, bipartisan work to reach a consensus on this bill. The initial version introduced last congress left a number of questions, which we asked that I felt were unanswered. And I think this version better fits the bill.
▶ 0:10:50The bill would provide additional privacy and security protections for americans who choose to engage in our democratic process by donating to political campaigns, something we obviously encourage. We want people to participate in the process, but to do it in a safe way and in a fair way, and one that is transparent to people.
▶ 0:11:07So last congress, we were grateful to the chair and his staff for agreeing to our changes that would, for example, continue to allow recipients of social security and veterans benefits to participate in the political process through small money contributions, changes that would allow donors to continue to simplify the political donation process by scheduling recurring contributions and changes that give the fcc time to make appropriate regulations to ensure that payment processors and online platforms can continue to securely enable
▶ 0:11:38Political donations. The bill supports the already safe online donation system. Americans can continue to trust that our elections, our political systems generally are free, fair and unaffected by fraud and providing credit and debit card cvvs in online contributions will help americans feel secure in their contributions.
▶ 0:11:58But americans should understand that the provision of cvvs this bill facilitates is in addition to numerous other anti-fraud security measures that already protect credit and debit card donors. So I appreciate the work that has gone in this bill. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. And again, thank you for your cooperation and your bipartisanship, and I yield back. >> gentleman yields back. Is there. Does anyone else seek recognition for amendment or debate?
▶ 0:12:23There being no further amendment or debate, the question now occurs on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor signify by saying I, I all those opposed? No. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. The question on. On the first we can. Okay. Withdrawn, withdrawn. The question now occurs on ordering h.r. 8720, as amended, reported favorably to the house. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed? No. Any opinion?
▶ 0:12:53The chair the ayes have it, and the motion to report is agreed to. >> Mr. chairman, I request a roll call. >> vote. A roll call vote is now requested, and the clerk will will call the roll. >> chairman style. I chairman style votes I miss lee, I miss lee, Mr. loudermilk, Mr. votes. Aye. Mr. griffin. Mr. griffin. I. Doctor. Doctor. Murphy. Doctor. Murphy. Votes. I Mrs. spice. Spice says. Hi. Mr. kerry. Mr. kerry votes. Hi. Miss. Miller. Mr. miller votes.
▶ 0:13:24Hi. Mr. morelli. >> hi. >> Mr. morelli votes. Hi. Miss sewell, Mrs. torres, Mrs. torres. Hi. Miss johnson, miss johnson votes. Hi. >> three all members voted. >>? The clerk will please report the tally. >> Mr. chairman, for this vote, there are 11 eyes and zero noes. >> a majority having voted in favor of h.r. 8720, as amended. The bill is ordered, is ordered favorably reported to the house. Without objection, a motion to reconsider is laid on the table.
▶ 0:13:55I now call up h.r. 8721, the preventing foreign interference in american elections act. The clerk will report the bill. >> h.r. 872. >> without objection, the first reading the bill is dispensed with also. Without objection, the bill may be considered as read and open to amendment at any point. I have an amendment in the nature of substitute of the desk. The clerk will report the amendment. >> amendment in the nature of a.
▶ 0:14:20>> without objection, the amendment in the nature of a substitute is considered as read, and will serve as base text for the purpose of further amendment. I now recognize myself for five minutes to speak on the ans. Let me begin by highlighting what I think is an alarming fact. Right now, foreign nationals can fund voter registration drives and get out the vote. Initiatives in the united states. Seems crazy when I tell people that, but it's true. Our bill today puts a stop to that.
▶ 0:14:46It ensures election activities aren't funded or influenced by foreign interests. Under this legislation, it would be illegal for a foreign national to donate money for those activities. I just mentioned. Again, funding voter registration drives or get out the vote initiatives in the united states of america. It also prohibits foreign nationals from paying people to ballot, harvest and conduct polling, and it bars foreign nationals from funding election administration efforts.
▶ 0:15:15So outside interests cannot influence. American elections are run, our elections should be funded and administered and decided by american citizens without foreign actors putting their thumb on the scale. These reforms are common sense. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I yield back. Do other members seek recognition for amendment or debate? Mr. morales recognized to strike the last word. >> yes. Thank you, Mr. chair. Let me state this plainly.
▶ 0:15:46House democrats believe deeply that congress has a duty to stem the tide of foreign money in our elections. That's why I've been proud to advocate for the passage of the freedom to vote act, which contains several provisions aimed at stemming this tide, including the disclose act and the honest ads act. I'm very happy to support the efforts by congress, including another bill on the markup today to advance a bipartisan recommendation of the fec related to foreign money and ballot initiatives, and recall referenda. H.r.
▶ 0:16:148721, however, undermines that critical duty. This bill does absolutely nothing to get foreign money out of our politics. On the one hand, the measure recognizes that it's important to ensure that foreign money does not influence american elections. On the other, however, several provisions of the bill would make it more likely, rather than less, that foreign donors would be able to fund election activities in the united states.
▶ 0:16:42This bill would hamper disclosure requirements at a time when americans are frustrated by a campaign finance system that seems to be stacked in favor of special interest, dark money and the billionaire class. It would also kneecap the fcc's ability to conduct investigations restricting the fcc's law enforcement powers at a time when the agency, frankly, is barely able to function at all. And we know that robust transparency is the best way to reassure the american people that the political system works for them.
▶ 0:17:11As justice brandeis famously stated, sunlight is the best disinfectant. So why in the world would we advance legislation? Why would my colleagues in this. I propose legislation that undermines transparency, inviting even more undisclosed, dark, likely foreign money to infiltrate our political system. As this bill would do, I recognize the bill includes some exemptions for the donor shielding provisions. The exemptions, however, and the exceptions do not salvage the bill.
▶ 0:17:39Instead, they gloss over system issues and systemic problems that need to be solved. In 2017, the trump administration reversed a year long rule requiring a years long, multiple years long rule requiring certain 5oc5o1c organizations to report major donors to the irs. Since then, the dark money ecosystem has hobbled the irs.
▶ 0:18:03Millions and millions of dollars in dark money go unreported to the fec every election cycle due to loopholes unsolved and unresolved by this measure, and a dysfunctional fec has ceased all meaningful enforcement of existing laws. Indeed, the fec has informed this committee that it had acted on barely half of the nonpartisan staff's recommended foreign interference investigations, including none that involved president trump, his campaign or his associates.
▶ 0:18:32It's unbelievable that that would happen, that the professional staff has made recommendations, and those have been ignored in matters requiring dark money groups to register and report with the fec. The fec acted on only five of nonpartisan career staff's two dozen recommendations. I'm eager to work in tandem with the majority to find common accord to fulfill this important duty, and I'd be happy to work with you to help find bipartisan consensus here.
▶ 0:19:00In that vein, I will propose an amendment today to ensure that we're able to comprehensively stop foreign money infiltrating our elections. I hope my colleagues join me in supporting it. If, however, the bill is designed to further open the floodgates to undisclosed foreign donations to kneecap the fec, which has already barely functioning, and other law enforcement agencies, than we will strenuously oppose this. And with that, I yield back. >> the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from illinois. Mrs. miller's recognized to strike the last word.
▶ 0:19:31>> thank you, Mr. chairman. I'm a proud co-sponsor of this bill because it works to prevent foreign influence in our elections. This bill makes important changes to our election laws by prohibiting foreign nationals from funding ballot harvesting, ballot collection, voter identification, and the administration of elections.
▶ 0:19:51It makes it illegal for anyone to knowingly aid foreign nationals and making prohibited contributions, and it requires campaigns to certify that their independent expenditures and electioneering communications are not in violation of this. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and vote yes to ensure that american elections are only for americans. >> the gentleman yields back.
▶ 0:20:21Is there further debate on the amendment? Is there further. Is there. The gentleman is recognized for an amendment. >> yes, sir. I have an amendment at the desk. >> we'll pause while the amendment is distributed. >> sorry. Amendment. >> it's a big amendment. I'll admit, yes.
▶ 0:20:53>> depending on the nature of a substitute. >> yeah. >> that's true. Three trees just out of rochester. >> thank you. I want to raise a point of order about mike carey attire this morning. Is this now an ohio thing? >> the clerk will report the amendment.
▶ 0:21:27>> amendment in the nature of substitute. >> without objection, the amendment is considered. Is read. >> I reserve a point of order, Mr. chairman. >> the gentlewoman from florida reserves a point of order. The gentleman from new york is recognized on his amendment. >> I'm happy to waive the reading of this amendment. Um, but I do thank you, Mr. chairman. The amendment is the disclose act, and it's about real transparency. It's about making sure that the american people have insight into the foreign and big money spenders that have such a significant impact on our electoral system.
▶ 0:21:58Uh, voters should be able to follow the money that is flooding the airwaves, their text messages, their mailboxes. I'm sure none of us ever get complaints that they don't get enough text messages, mail in their mailbox from voters. Um, but they at least ought to know where it comes from. And this is especially true for foreign money, which floods into our elections through dark money contributions. Quite simply, congress must close loopholes allowing spending by foreign nationals in domestic elections.
▶ 0:22:25That's not what the bill we are considering today would do, but it is what the disclose act would do. For example, in 2021, the federal election commission found reason to believe and conciliated a matter where an experienced political consultant knowingly and willfully violated federal election law.
▶ 0:22:41The consultant had solicited a contribution from a foreign national by offering to transmit a $2 million contribution to a superpac through his company and to and through 2501 c four organizations to conceal the origin of the funds. The scheme was only unveiled after a news article reported the solicitation. That same political consultant was later convicted of a nearly identical scheme involving a russian national national. It is intolerable.
▶ 0:23:09Congress must stem the tide of foreign money seeking to influence our elections. The disclose act clarifies the scope of the foreign nationals ban and incorporates the bipartisan fec recommendation to capture ballot initiatives, including other reforms. The disclose act also addresses the problem of money that is laundered through various front groups or shell entities to hide the original source of campaign related spending. The supreme court has repeatedly endorsed disclosure because it helps voters hold elected leaders accountable.
▶ 0:23:38So this is a common sense amendment that would increase transparency in american democracy, stop foreign interference, something that should have bipartisan support. And I would encourage that bipartisan support, and I'd urge my colleagues to support this amendment. With that, I yield back. >> the gentleman yields back. Is there further debate on the amendment? I recognize myself to strike the last word. Um, I appreciate the maybe the intention in which, uh, this piece of legislation is offered.
▶ 0:24:08Um, I have significant concerns that the amendment is drafted, uh, would remove protections for privacy of american donors to charities and non-profits. Uh, and further, uh, that this legislation would then also come under the jurisdiction of our friends at ways and means. As much as we appreciate our friends at ways and means, uh, looking at you, uh, Mr. kerry, Mr.
▶ 0:24:31Murphy, uh, in, uh, in miss sewell, uh, preventing us, in allowing us to stay focused and specific on the task at hand, I think is important. But more broadly, I think there's real concerns about the privacy of american donors to charities. And so I encourage my colleagues to vote no on this amendment. I yield back. Is there further debate on the amendment? Seeing none, does the gentlewoman insist on a point of order? The point of order is withdrawn.
▶ 0:25:01Uh, the question now occurs on the amendment offered by the gentleman from new york, Mr. morelli, all those in favor of the amendment signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed? Nay. Nay. The opinion of the chair is the nos. Have it. The nos. Have it, uh, recorded vote is requested. The clerk will please call the roll. >> chairman style. >> I know. >> chairman votes no, miss lee. No votes, no. Mr. loudermilk. Mr. loudermilk votes no, Mr.
▶ 0:25:32Griffin. Mr. griffin votes no. Doctor. Murphy. Doctor murphy votes no. Mrs. vice. Mrs. vice votes. No. Mr. kerry. Mr. kerry votes no. Mrs. miller, Mrs. miller votes no. Mr. morelli. I Mr. morley votes. I, miss sewell, Mrs. torres. No. Mrs. Mrs. torres votes. Hi. Miss. Johnson, miss johnson votes. >> I say, trying to get you guys together. >> five. Six. Seven eight. >> is all members voted?
▶ 0:26:01The clerk will report the tally. >> Mr. chairman, for this vote, there are three eyes and eight nos. >> the amendment is not adopted. Uh, is there further amendment or debate? If there's no further amendment or debate. There being no further amendment or debate, the question now occurs on the amendment in the nature of a substitute.
▶ 0:26:29All those in favor signify by saying I, I all those opposed? No, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, the ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. >> recorded vote. >> a recorded vote. Uh, recorded vote is requested. >> um one second. >> oh that is on I apologize, I'll withdraw. >> the request for the recorded vote is withdrawn. Uh, the ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. The question now occurs on ordering h.r.
▶ 0:26:578721, as amended. Reported favorably to the house. All those in favor signify by saying I, I all those opposed? No. No. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. The ayes have it. The motion to report is agreed to a. A roll call vote is requested. The clerk will please call the roll. >> chairman style. A chairman style. I miss lee, miss lee votes aye. Mr. loudermilk, Mr. loudermilk votes aye. Mr. griffin. Mr. griffin. Hi, doctor. Murphy. Yes, doctor murphy votes. Hi. Mrs. vice.
▶ 0:27:28Mrs. vice votes. Aye. Mr. kerry. Mr. kerry votes. Hi. Mrs. miller. Mrs. miller votes aye. Mr. morelli. No. Mr. murphy votes no. Miss sewell, Mrs. torres, Mrs. torres votes. So, Mrs. johnson. >>? The clerk will report the tally. >> um, Mr. chairman, for this vote, there are eight eyes and three no's. >> a majority having voted in favor of h.r. 8721, as amended. The bill is reported favorably to the house.
▶ 0:27:56Without objection, a motion to reconsider is laid on the table. I'll now call up h.r. 7418. The securing tech and elections administration defense for all states and territories act the steadfast act introduced by our colleague, representative bice. The clerk will please report the bill. >> h.r. >> without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with. Also, without objection, the bill shall be considered as read and open to amendment at any point.
▶ 0:28:24I have an amendment at the desk in the nature of a substitute. The clerk will report the amendment. >> the amendment in the nature of a substitute. >> without objection, the amendment in the nature of substitute is considered as read, and will serve as base text for the purpose of further amendment. I thank representative bice for her leadership on this issue, and I recognize her for five minutes to speak on the ans. >> thank you, Mr.
▶ 0:28:44Chairman, for recognizing me to speak on the legislation, the securing tech and election administration defenses for all states and territories, or the steadfast act, as all of us know here, when you're filing your taxes, there is a box you can check called the presidential election campaign fund checkoff or pecf. It appears at the end of filing and asked if you would like to donate $3 of your federal tax to go towards this fund, or $6 for joint filers.
▶ 0:29:11The campaign fund was originally implemented with a $1 option in 1966, but was changed to $3 in 1994. The original idea behind this was to start public to start public funded elections, including presidential primaries, general elections and national party conventions. Both parties would receive a fixed amount of checkoff dollars that could be used for their campaigns. As of may 31st, 2025, the pecf has a balance of nearly $18 million.
▶ 0:29:44Of note. In 2008, john mccain was the last major party candidate for president to use the funds in a general election. However, in order to utilize these funds, candidates must limit their total campaign spending for all primary elections. Put simply, this system is outdated and antiquated, rarely being used in modern day politics.
▶ 0:30:05This is why I introduced the steadfast act legislation that would convert the pcf into a new election security grant that would be administered by the election assistance commission. Funds may be used to acquire new voting equipment. Update cybersecurity to protect voting systems to modernize and replace outdated or compromised components, purchase, print and protect paper ballots and harden voting equipment.
▶ 0:30:31There are also key eligibility requirements for states seeking these grants. Each state must submit a plan detailing how the funds will be used, and they must certify that they do not permit non-citizens to vote in any election for public office. For example, states like california, maryland and vermont would be prohibited from accessing these funds because of certain jurisdictions that allow non-citizens to vote in local elections.
▶ 0:31:01Furthermore, priority access will be given to states using voter, verifiable paper ballots, states requiring voter id to an election official when obtaining a ballot, and states that use resources to ensure that only american citizens are voting in our elections. Having confidence in our elections is a must. These upgrades will help further instill a sense of trust and faith in our election process. One of the most important systems we have in place as americans.
▶ 0:31:30I want to thank my friend, election subcommittee chairwoman rep laurel lee, for her support, and I urge adoption of the legislation, which simply transforms this unused fund into an election security measure. And with that, I yield. >> the gentleman yields back to other members, seek recognition for amendment or debate. The gentleman from new york is recognized to strike the last word. >> thank you, Mr. chair, and I.
▶ 0:31:55I want to thank my friend miss bice, um, and congratulate her on her work to get that acronym put together. That's, uh, that took some real work. And I, I want to always acknowledge creativity when we're doing this work. So I do, however, um, have real concerns about.
▶ 0:32:10So I want to take the opportunity to repeat what I emphasized last month when we had two secretaries of state before us at a hearing, we should be incredibly grateful to election officials around the country, democrats and republicans who, regardless of party, uh, work incredibly hard to ensure fair, free and secure elections.
▶ 0:32:28And I think they take it as part of almost a sacred obligation to this country and to this democracy, and we should fund them far more than the paltry $15 million nationwide that republicans have put forward in the appropriation bill, which was before the appropriations committee just a couple of weeks ago. These election officials deserve far better from us. And yet today, we don't have their backs. We're not supporting real election security.
▶ 0:32:55Instead, we're considering a bill that takes advantage of a financial hole that republicans have created for those public servants to coerce them into adopting policies to purge eligible voters and suppress the vote. Our election administrators deserve better than to be intentionally starved of resources by president trump and congressional republicans, and then essentially extorted under this artificial financial distress that they've created to adopt the president's favored voter suppression policies. That's what this bill would do.
▶ 0:33:25And in case anyone had any doubt, this bill makes clear that republicans don't care about securing elections for all americans, regardless of geography. They only want it for people who agree to adopt their worldview. Republicans are happy to deprive election administrators of needed resources if they don't comply with voter suppression efforts that they can't even pass in the republican controlled senate. We all know they can't pass the deeply unpopular save america act, because they know it puts burdens on the right to vote that are untenable.
▶ 0:33:54So instead, they're trying to please the president by taking funds voluntarily chosen to contribute by voters for the purpose of supporting public financing, and use that money to incentivize voter suppression efforts. Election administrators deserve better, american voters deserve better. And I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill. And to that end, Mr. chair, I have an amendment at the desk. >> the gentleman has amendment at the desk.
▶ 0:34:22>> the gentleman has an amendment at the desk will pause while the amendment is distributed. >> I went to a. >> one pager. >> this time you're. >> you're ran out. >> of paper previously. That's right. Thank you.
▶ 0:35:00>> the clerk will report the amendment. >> amendment in the nature of a substitute. >> without objection, the amendment is considered as read. >> Mr. chairman, I reserve a point. >> of order. Point of order is reserved by the gentlewoman from florida. The gentleman is recognized on his amendment. >> thank you. You can see, because the cherokee's been a strict paper requirement, this is simply one page. And it's really simple. Um, it's concise.
▶ 0:35:24It offers only support to election administrators, unlike the underlying bill, which conditions critically necessary election security funds on whether a state adopts the republican voter suppression platform. This amendment is clean authorization for election security grants.
▶ 0:35:39No catches, no caveats, no partizan gimmicks, no geographical divide, no ability to pass a test on whether you agree with certain voter suppression efforts just gives resources to all state and local administrators who need it, the support they need to carry out their mission to ensure secure, safe, accessible elections. And they shouldn't have to shoulder this responsibility alone, and we won't let them, our election administrators on the front lines of democracy, they're the ones that voters see.
▶ 0:36:08They're the ones who voters trust to not only allow them to cast their ballot, to count it in a fair, safe and secure manner. These challenges they face right now are staggering, and they grow by the day, particularly with the president, who continues to undermine and to call into question the sanctity of american voting.
▶ 0:36:24So whether it's defending against sophisticated foreign governments intent on suburban, subverting our elections, threats and intimidation from paranoid conspiracy theorists, egged on by the president or pretextual fbi raids in service to long debunked lies about the 2020 election. Election officials are being asked no. They're being demanded of to do more with less.
▶ 0:36:46Just last month, as I mentioned in the appropriations committee, despite our efforts to the contrary, house republicans approved a funding bill that provided a paltry $15 million for the entire country total for election security. Surely we can devote more than that to protecting one of our country's founding basic principles. The constant refrain I hear from election administrators across the country is that they need robust and consistent funding.
▶ 0:37:14This amendment delivers that $5 billion over ten years. That continues to allow states to prescribe the time, place and manner of their elections, as our constitution suggests. Uh, in fact, doesn't suggest says straight out, uh, and gives them the peace of mind that they won't have to choose between more poll workers or better cybersecurity, between having easily accessible voting systems for disabled voters, or hardened physical security for ballots and voting equipment. Democracy isn't a system of trade offs.
▶ 0:37:43I urge my colleagues in the strongest possible terms to support this amendment, give our election workers the support they so desperately need, and with that, I yield back. >> the gentleman yields back. Is there further debate on the amendment? The gentleman from oklahoma is recognized to strike the last word. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. And while I appreciate the ranking members focus on election security, this bill does just that.
▶ 0:38:05This bill takes money that is currently sitting in an account and has been for decades, it seems, uh, and actually applies it to states that are willing to adhere to what I think are reasonable, uh, restrictions, not letting non-citizens vote. Uh, seems reasonable. It is actually incentivizing states to make sure that their systems are hardened, that their cyber security is in place, that they have paper ballots.
▶ 0:38:29Uh, we certainly can have a conversation about increasing, uh, dollars, but that would be on the appropriations side of the equation. And the ranking member and I are members of that committee and can certainly have that discussion. I think it's worth noting, too, that, uh, the current, um, election, uh, the current commission's funding level is at $27 million.
▶ 0:38:52Um, the 5 billion that's being requested, um, seems to be, uh, exorbitant nonetheless. Um, I vote, I support voting down this amendment and sticking with the original steadfast act. And with that, I yield. >> the gentleman yields back. Does anyone else seek is there further debate on the amendment? Seeing none, does the gentlewoman withdrawn? All those in.
▶ 0:39:21The question now occurs on the amendment offered by Mr. morelli from new york. All those in favor of the amendment signify by saying aye. >> aye. >> all those opposed? No, no. And the opinion of the chairs, the nos have it, the nos have it. And the amendment is not adopted. A recorded vote is requested. Um those in favor of recorded vote will raise their hand. A sufficient number having risen their hand, a recorded vote is ordered. The clerk will report. Call the roll. >> chairman style. No chair votes. No miss lee, no. Miss lee votes no. Mr. loudermilk, Mr. loudermilk votes no. Mr.
▶ 0:39:53Griffith. Mr. griffith votes no. Doctor murphy. Doctor murphy votes no. Mrs. vice. Mrs. vice votes no. Mr. kerry. Mrs. miller, Mrs. miller votes no. Mr. morelli. I Mr. morelli, votes. I, miss sewell, Mrs. torres, Mrs. torres votes. I miss johnson, miss johnson votes I gotcha. >>? The clerk will report the. >> no? >> Mr. carry Mr. kerry votes no.
▶ 0:40:25>>? The clerk will report the tally. >> Mr. chairman, for this vote there are three ais and eight nos. >> the amendment is not adopted. Is there further amendment or debate? I recognize myself for five minutes to strike the last word.
▶ 0:40:42Um, I just want to say I just want to thank representative bice for her work, her commitment and dedication, uh, to election integrity and finding thoughtful and creative ways to provide resources to states to move forward on election integrity, uh, in a deficit neutral manner. And so I encourage folks to support the underlying amendment or the to, to support representative bice. Well named bill, I yield back. Is there further amendment or debate there being no further amendment or debate, the.
▶ 0:41:11The question. There being no further amendment or debate. The question now occurs on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed? No, no. The chair the ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. The question now occurs on ordering h.r.
▶ 0:41:397418, as amended, reported favorably to the house. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed? No. No. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the motion to report is agreed to. >> I request. >> a a roll call vote is requested. The clerk will please call the roll. >> chairman stiles. I chair votes I miss lee. I miss lee votes aye. Mr. loudermilk, Mr. loudermilk, I Mr. griffin. Mr. griffin. I. Doctor. Murphy. Doctor. Murphy. Votes. I. Mrs. vice. Mrs. spice. Mr. kerry.
▶ 0:42:12>> yes. >> Mr. kerry. Votes. I. Mrs. miller. Mrs. miller. Votes. Aye. Mr. morelli. >> no. >> Mr. morelli votes no. Miss. Sewell, Mrs. torres, Mrs. torres votes. Oh. Miss. Johnson, miss johnson votes no. >>? The clerk will report the tally. >> Mr. chairman, for this vote, there are eight I's and three no's. >> majority having voted in favor of h.r. 7418, as amended. The bill is reported favorably to the house. Without objection, a motion to reconsider is laid on the table.
▶ 0:42:41I'll now call up h.r. 3000 535, the stop foreign funds and elections act. The clerk will please report the bill. >> h.r. 3530. >> that objection, the first reading. The bill is dispensed with also. Without objection, the bill shall be considered as read, open to amendment at any point. I'll now recognize myself to speak on the bill. Um, this legislation was introduced by our colleague, representative brian fitzpatrick of pennsylvania.
▶ 0:43:07The bill, uh, addresses foreign funds in our elections, specifically foreign funding of state and local ballot initiatives, referenda, and recall elections. Uh, as we've seen in recent history, these races can attract millions of dollars in outside spending. Some of it has been foreign money. We have all evidenced in recent years.
▶ 0:43:29Groups like 1630 fund have funneled millions of foreign dollars into ballot initiatives in states including arizona, nevada and ohio. It sounds crazy, but it's true. And under current law that's allowed, foreign funds should not be used to influence state or local ballot measures, referenda or recall elections.
▶ 0:43:52This legislation closes that loophole and ensures those decisions are made by americans, not foreign nationals, in their interests. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back. Do other members seek recognition for amendment or debate? The gentleman is recognized to strike the last word. >> yes.
▶ 0:45:27>> the gentleman yields back. Is there do other members seek recognition for amendment or debate? There being no further amendment or debate, the question now occurs on ordering h.r. 3535 reported favorably to the house. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed? No opinion in the chair. The ayes have it, and the motion to report is agreed to. A roll call. >> vote is. >> requested, is requested.
▶ 0:45:56All those in favor signify by raising your hand sufficient, raising their hand. A roll call vote is ordered. The clerk will please report the. The clerk will please call the roll. >> chairman style I. >> votes I miss lee, I miss lee votes. Hi, Mr. loudermilk. Aye. Mr. loudermilk votes aye. Mr. griffith. Mr. griffith votes I, doctor. Murphy. Doctor murphy. Votes aye. Mrs. vice. Mrs. vice votes I. Mr. kerry. Mr. kerry. Votes I, Mrs. miller. Mrs. miller. Votes. Aye. Mr.
▶ 0:46:26>> morelli I Mr. >> murphy votes. I miss. Sewell, Mrs. torres, Mrs. torres votes. I miss. Johnson, miss johnson votes I. >>? The clerk will report the tally. >> Mr. chairman, for this vote there are 11 I's and zero no's. >> a majority having voted in favor of h.r. 3535. The bill is ordered favorably reported to the house. Without objection, a motion to reconsider is laid on the table. I now call up h.r. 6028.
▶ 0:46:55The legislative branch agencies clarification act. The clerk will report the bill. >> h.r. >> without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with also. Without objection, the bill should be considered as read and open to amendment at any point. I have an amendment in the nature of substitute at the desk. The clerk will report the amendment. Without objection. The amendment in the nature of substitute is considers, read and will serve as base text for the purpose of further amendment. Uh. I thank my colleague Mr. griffith for leading this important article.
▶ 0:47:23One effort, and I now recognize him, uh, to give a statement on the bill. Thank you. >> Mr. chairman. My bill, hr 6028, the legislative branch agencies clarification act provides important reforms to the library of congress, the government publishing office and the us copyright office with the goal of ensuring proper oversight, continuity of leadership and operational efficiency.
▶ 0:47:45I have long been troubled by the fact that some functions and agencies that truly belong with the legislative branch are actually controlled by the executive branch. For example, since 2016, I've introduced measures that would transplant the office of the united states trade representative from the lawn of the white house to the lawn of the capitol, where it constitutionally belongs. That's not this bill. This bill does some lesser things and does some good things, but that's not this one.
▶ 0:48:13But it shows that I have long felt that we need to get this straightened out. My work on h.r. 6028, and with huge amounts of help from our great committee staff, they've done great work on this, mister chairman. They they really have. And we've gotten some glitches fixed.
▶ 0:48:31And I think the final product in the recognizing the amendment nature of substitutes are really good, uh, product, but it arises from that same principle that what is rightfully should be congress's should be congress's. Uh, we rely on these institutions such as the library of congress and the government publishing office to help carry out our constitutional responsibilities.
▶ 0:48:55Yet despite being legislative branch agencies, their leadership is currently and has been for over 100 years, appointed by the president and then confirmed by the senate. This arrangement has created structural inconsistencies and at times, uncertainty regarding the oversight and administration of these institutions. H.r. 6028 addresses this issue by updating the appointment and removal process for the librarian of congress and the director of the government publishing office.
▶ 0:49:22Under the legislation, bipartisan nominees will be recommended by the chairs and ranking members of the house administration committee and the senate rules committee, and congressional leadership would select the agency head. This approach mirrors the appointment process for the architect of the capitol, which this committee previously helped establish and which was enacted into law on a bipartisan basis.
▶ 0:49:42Given the central role of the library of congress and the government publishing office plays in supporting the daily work of congress, it is only natural their leadership should be selected through a process anchored inside the legislative branch. This bill also clarifies the governance of the us copyright office, which is the center of protecting the intellectual property rights of american creators, innovators and businesses.
▶ 0:50:05And in all fairness, the copyright office performs executive like functions and such as administrating copyright registrations and issuing regulations to reflect those responsibilities. The bill provides that the register of copyrights will be appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the senate. By modernizing leadership structures and clarifying lines of authority, h.r.
▶ 0:50:276028 strengthens the institutions that support congress in fulfilling its constitutional duties, and I want to thank my colleagues for all their contributions to this legislation, including some former members who gave us some good insight and look forward to working together to advance these important reforms. I would also mention anybody that thinks register of copyrights sounds strange.
▶ 0:50:50It is a it is a term of art that has existed for several hundred years because I really wanted to change it to registrar, but I was told I couldn't do that and I. And I accepted the linguistic history that was provided to me by staff. Uh, with that, Mr. chairman, I yield back and hope everyone will support this good bill. >> the gentleman yields back to other members seeking recognition for amendment or debate. The ranking member is recognized to strike the last word. >> thank you, Mr. chair.
▶ 0:51:17And thanks to you and your staff, and thanks to Mr. griffith for his hard work. Um, and I appreciate working with us in good faith over the last several weeks to, to try to make some, uh, what we thought were improvements to the original bill. And so I'm grateful for that. And before we consider the bill, I do want to provide just a little historical context, um, and add to the legislative record.
▶ 0:51:42Last may, the president unceremoniously dismissed doctor carla hayden, a distinguished public servant, as library librarian of congress, via a two sentence email from his staff. Doctor hayden, a life long librarian and educator, dedicated her career to expanding access to knowledge and reading, particularly for children. She brought a world class institution to the american people, opening the doors and traversing the country to make clear that the library belonged to everyone.
▶ 0:52:11Congress and the country owe her a debt of gratitude, and frankly, the president owes her an apology. Nonetheless, it's time for us to move ahead. The bill before us modifies the appointment process, as Mr. griffith has described for the heads of two legislative branch agencies, the library of congress and the government publishing office, and creates a new presidential appointment, subject to senate confirmation for the register of copyrights. And I appreciate his linguistic history. And, you know, some things can't be changed even by congress.
▶ 0:52:39Um, the government printing office is an essential congressional partner and a key provider of public information. This legislative branch is stronger when its director is independent of the executive branch. And as for the library, I've long said that the librarian of congress should be appointed by congress. Still, we need to make this change thoughtfully and with a clear understanding of its consequences, particularly for the copyright office.
▶ 0:53:04Copyright authority is enshrined in article one, section eight, clause eight of the constitution and the copyright office has been part of the legislative branch for well over a century. It should remain there. The copyright community contributes more than $2 trillion annually to the economy and supports more than 11 million american jobs. It's pretty astonishing. $2 trillion annually. It can only do so with a stable, reliable, apolitical copyright system.
▶ 0:53:31So far, we've had that system, and the bill we consider today will help preserve it as a critical time, at a critical time for copyright stakeholders. And I've joined the chair and conversations with artists and others who use the copyright system. So we know how important this is. The library of congress and the copyright office have operated in partnership for more than 150 years.
▶ 0:53:54The copyright office relies on the libraries infrastructure to carry out its responsibilities, while the library builds the collections through copyright deposits. Weakening that relationship would harm both institutions. Unfortunately, the revised bill now establishes a transition period, allows the copyright office, which will remain in the legislative branch, to continue using library support services. It also requires the register to consult with the librarian before taking any action affecting the library's access to copyright deposits.
▶ 0:54:25And once again, I want to thank the chair and the sponsor of the bill for their willingness to accept these changes and to continue dialog on this. To be clear, damage has already been done before the president fired the librarian and tried to unlawfully remove the register, the copyright office was preparing a series of eagerly anticipated reports on artificial intelligence and copyright. I'm grateful for the leadership of the current register of copyrights chair perlmutter, ensuring the first three reports were released to the public.
▶ 0:54:52However, because of the white house's persistent disregard of article one, some of those reports remain outstanding, and a multi trillion dollar industry faces growing uncertainty. The stalled reports are an immediate cost of the president's harsh actions, and there's also a deeper structural problem at play that this bill alone cannot fix. For too long, congress has allowed its own authority and capacity to atrophy.
▶ 0:55:21The library, the copyright office and the other support agencies we rely on are funded out of a legislative branch budget that accounts for roughly 4/10 of 1% of all federal discretionary spending. If we are serious about legislating on complex issues like ai and copyright, we must be serious about supporting the institutions that make doing so possible.
▶ 0:55:44It's why I'm also disappointed the bill remains conspicuously silent on the appointment process for the comptroller general, who heads the government accountability office. As the current administration demonstrates daily. The official charged with enforcing appropriations law on behalf of congress has no business being appointed by the president. I'll continue fighting to ensure all legislative branch agencies, including gao, are led by individuals appointed by the legislative branch. But we should not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
▶ 0:56:12The bill ensures the library of congress and gpo director can only be hired or fired by congress, and does so in a responsible way. For that reason, again, I congratulate the sponsor and the chair, and I encourage my colleagues to vote yes. And with that, Mr. chair, I yield back. >> gentleman yields back. Mr. loudermilk is recognized to strike the last word. >> uh, thank you, Mr. chairman. I yield my time to my friend, Mr. griffith. >> thank you very much, Mr. chairman. And, Mr.
▶ 0:56:37Lauer, uh, I, I just want to make it clear, and I hope my earlier comments did. This has been a long standing, uh, philosophy of mine that we need to get the ship right. There are a number of agencies. And in fairness to this committee, Mr. chairman, more has been done in the last couple of years to get the the congressional oversight and congressional leadership appointed by congressional members than at any time in the last 120 years.
▶ 0:57:03And, uh, the committee should be proud of that work. But this has nothing to do. I feel like doing that disclaimer at the end of a movie. This has nothing to do with any, uh, current or former librarians of congress or any current or former members of the white house or representatives at the white house. This has to do with trying to follow the natural course of both the constitution and what is the prerogatives and should be the prerogatives of the united states congress. With that, I yield back. >> I yield back.
▶ 0:57:34>> the gentleman yields. Is there further debate or amendment? I recognize myself to strike the last word. I just want to say thanks to our colleague, Mr. griffith. Uh, in the, uh, the three years I've been chair, uh, you have been a staunch advocate of the, the, the article one, uh, institution, uh, engaged in the oversight of our legislative branch agencies, but also, uh, over the overall process to make sure that article one powers are retained here in congress. I also appreciate the work of my colleague, Mr.
▶ 0:58:04Morelli, uh, in his staff, uh, working to get, uh, this legislative text in a spot where I think, uh, we will all be able to support it. And I look forward to supporting it. Uh, at the vote, I yield back. Do any other members seek recognition for amendment or debate? There being no further amendment or debate, the question now occurs on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor signify by saying aye. All those opposed? No. The chair the ayes have it. The ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. The question now occurs on ordering h.r. 6028, as amended, reported favorably to the house.
▶ 0:58:34All those in favor signify by saying aye. All those opposed? No. Opinion of the chair. The ayes have it. The ayes have it. The motion to report is agreed to. >> Mr. chairman, I request a roll call. >> a roll call vote is requested. The clerk will please call the roll. >> chairman style. A chairman style votes. I miss lee, I miss lee, Mr. loudermilk, Mr. loudermilk votes. Hi. Mr. griffin. Mr. griffin votes. Hi, doctor. Murphy. Doctor murphy votes. Hi. Mrs. vice. Mrs. vice votes. Hi. Mr. kerry. Mr. kerry votes. Hi. Mrs. miller. Mrs. miller votes. Hi. Mr. morelli.
▶ 0:59:05>> hi. >> Mr. morelli votes. Hi. Miss sewell, Mrs. torres. Hi. Mrs. torres votes. Hi. Miss johnson, miss johnson votes aye. >> does any any, any. The clerk will report the tally. >> Mr. chairman, for this vote there are 11 I's and zero noes. >> majority having voted in favor of h.r. 6028, as amended. The bill is reported favorably to the house. Without objection, a motion to reconsider is laid on the table. I now call up h.r.
▶ 0:59:318738, the fcc administration administrative improvements act. The clerk will report the bill. >> h.r. 8738. >> without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with. Also, without objection, the bill should be considered as read and open to amendment at any point. I thank ranking member morelli and the chair of the subcommittee on elections, representative lee, for their leadership on this bill. I'll now recognize the ranking member to speak on the bill.
▶ 1:00:22>> and I was saying thank you to my colleagues that didn't get recorded. So I want to thank chairman steele and and colleague lee and sewell. Thank you. So I continue to say what great work this has done in a bipartisan way, but I do hope the bill can move to the floor. The fcc has informed congress, compared to data from paper reports, data from electronically filed reports is received, processed and disseminated more easily. And this bill does that.
▶ 1:00:45The supreme court has long recognized disclosure requirements are vitally important to provide the electorate with information as to where political campaign money comes from and how it's spent in. American voters are best equipped to choose leaders when they have the most up to date information, and the bill would tackle another bipartisan legislative recommendation from the fec, allowing committees to make disbursements in ways other than by check. Um, and on this committee, we care deeply about modernization. Appreciate all the work of my colleagues.
▶ 1:01:14This will bring us into the 21st century. And every american voters exercise their fundamental rights. So again, my thanks. And with that, I will yield back. >> gentleman yields back. Is there further amendment or debate? The gentlewoman from florida is recognized. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:01:32First, I want to thank ranking member morelli for working collaboratively on this legislation and the members of our committee who recognize that election administration and campaign finance reporting systems should function efficiently, transparently and effectively. I also want to acknowledge the input that we received from the federal election commission itself.
▶ 1:01:50The fec has advised congress that these updates are important administrative improvements that would help modernize compliance and reporting processes, while reducing unnecessary burdens and inefficiencies. This bill is appropriately narrow, practical and common sense in the scope. Importantly, the legislation does not alter contribution limits, disclaimer requirements or substantive campaign finance restrictions.
▶ 1:02:16Instead, it makes targeted administrative improvements that will help regulated entities comply with the law more efficiently and help the fec administer the law more effectively. This is exactly the type of modernization effort this committee should support. I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back. >> the gentleman yields back to other members, seek recognition for amendment or debate. There being no further amendment or debate, the question now occurs on ordering h.r. 8738 reported favorably to the house.
▶ 1:02:46All those in favor signify by saying I, I all those opposed? No. The chair the ayes have it. The ayes have it. The motion to report is agreed to. Request a roll call. Vote is requested. The clerk will please call the roll. >> chairman I. >> chairman votes I miss lee. I miss lee votes I Mr. loudermilk. Mr. loudermilk votes. Aye. Mr. griffin. Mr. griffin votes. Hi. Doctor. Murphy. Doctor murphy votes. Hi. Mrs. vice. Mrs. vice. Versa. Mr. kerry. Mr. kerry votes aye. Mrs. miller. Mrs. miller votes aye. Mr. morelli.
▶ 1:03:17>> hi. >> Mr. morelli votes. Hi. Miss sewell, Mrs. torres, Mrs. torres votes. Hi. Miss johnson, miss johnson, I. >>. The clerk will report the tally. >> Mr. chairman, for this vote, there are 11 eyes and zero nos. >> majority having voted in favor of h.r. 8738. The bill is reported favorably to the house. Without objection, a motion to reconsider is laid on the table. I now call up h.r. 7182, the voter outreach for transparent elections act, another acronym, the vote act.
▶ 1:03:45The clerk will report the bill. >> h.r. 71. >> without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with also. Without objection, the. The bill shall be considered as read and open to amendment at any point. I have an amendment at the. I have an amendment in the nature of. Substitute at the desk clerk. Please report the amendment. >> amendment in the nature of. >> without objection, the amendment in the nature of substitute is considered as read, and will serve as base text for the purpose of further amendment.
▶ 1:04:12I thank representative johnson for working in a great nonpartizan way to move this bill forward, and I will recognize the ranking member first for five minutes to strike the last word or just to speak on the ans. >> yes, thank you, Mr. chair, and I want to thank you. Help people who might be observing this recognize that there are important ways for us to work together. And I do appreciate the bipartisan cooperation. And I want to thank my friend and colleague, congressman julie johnson, for her hard work on this bill.
▶ 1:04:41This is an issue that is directly affected her constituents. And congresswoman johnson's bill is a meaningful way to protect their right to vote. And I want to acknowledge we all know there's much work to be done to protect voting rights and voter access in this country, and I look forward to working with representative johnson and all my colleagues on these issues. And for now, I yield the balance of my time to congresswoman johnson to speak on behalf of the vote act. >> I don't think this is on. >> okay, there we go.
▶ 1:05:11Um, thank you so much, chairman, ranking member morelli and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to speak today in support of my legislation, the vote act. I'm proud to represent dallas, texas, one of the fastest growing and most dynamic regions in the country. Texas leads the nation in job creation and innovation. We are home to world class universities, hospitals, and businesses that help drive the american economy forward.
▶ 1:05:35But despite all of our strengths, one area where texas is failing its voters is in election administration. What happened in dallas county during the march 3rd primary election should concern every member of this committee, regardless of party. Throughout early voting voting in dallas county were. Voters were able to cast ballots at county wide vote centers, a system that has been used successfully for years and that voters had come to rely on. But on election day, the rules changed.
▶ 1:06:02Voters were suddenly restricted to voting only at assigned precinct locations. After republican county officials in dallas ended the countywide voter program for election day voting, the consequences were predictable. Voters arrived at locations where they had voted many times, only to be turned away. Many were redirected across the county to different precincts. Confusion spread quickly, lines grew longer, and voters from both parties struggled to determine where to cast their ballots.
▶ 1:06:30Eventually, a court ordered voting hours extended because of this disruption and confusing and confusion surrounding the election. But even after voters returned and cast ballots during that extended period, litigation followed over whether these votes would count. Now we know the outcome. Roughly 1700 ballots cast during the court ordered extension were not counted.
▶ 1:06:52That means 1700 people who took time away from their work, families and their responsibilities to participate in our democracy effectively had their votes discarded. Many of these voters did exactly what election officials instructed them to do. They showed up, followed directions, returned to the polls, and attempted to participate in good faith. They deserve certainty and clarity, not chaos and confusion. And let's be clear this is simply about administrative inconvenience. It is about trust in our democratic process.
▶ 1:07:22When voters arrive at the polls and are told the rules have changed, confidence in elections erode when people feel like the process is confusing, inconsistent or inaccessible, many simply give up. And that is true regardless of party affiliation. Unfortunately, what happened in dallas county may also signal a broader trend heading in the 2026 midterm elections.
▶ 1:07:45Across the country, we are seeing efforts to make voting more complicated through sudden procedural changes, new documentation requirements and restrictions that risk disenfranchizing eligible voters. It's important here in congress that we advance policies that facilitate americans ability to engage with our democracy in a clear and straightforward way. The vote act is a straightforward response to these concerns.
▶ 1:08:08My bill is built around a simple principle if state or counties change voting procedures, voters deserve clear, timely and transparent notice. If a jurisdiction decides to eliminate vote centers or require voters to return to assigned precinct voters, voters should not have to discover that change only after arriving at the polls.
▶ 1:08:29At a minimum, election officials to provide direct notice explaining where and how individuals can vote before election day arrives. This legislation is not about favoring one party over the other. It is about ensuring that voters are not blindsided by last minute changes that create unnecessary confusion.
▶ 1:08:51Our democracy functions best when eligible voters understand the rules, know where to vote, and can participate without avoidable obstacles standing in their way. Every eligible american deserves a fair and accessible opportunity to make their voice heard. The right to vote is foundational to our democracy, and protecting that right requires more than simply keeping polling places open. It requires transparency, consistency and a commitment to ensuring voters are informed before they cast their ballots.
▶ 1:09:20And that is exactly what the vote act seeks to accomplish, and I urge my colleagues to support it. And thank you so very much. >> the gentleman yields back. Do other members seek recognition for amendment or debate? There being no further amendment or debate, the question now occurs on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor signify by saying aye. >> aye. >> those opposed? No. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. The ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. The question now occurs on ordering h.r. 7182, as amended, reported favorably to the house. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye.
▶ 1:09:50All those opposed? No opinion of the chair. The ayes have it a majority, having voted in favor of h.r. 7182, as amended. The bill is reported as ordered, reported favorably to the house. Without objection, a motion to reconsider is laid on the table. This concludes our order of business for today's markup.
▶ 1:10:10Without objection, pursuant to house rule nine, clause two, l committee members can file with the clerk of the committee supplemental, additional minority and dissenting views on each of the items marked up today. Also, without objection, the staff is authorized to make necessary technical and conforming changes if there's no further business. I thank the members for their participation. Without objection, the committee on house administration stands adjourned.