[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 6, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H2390-H2498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FOR THE PEOPLE ACT OF 2019


                             General Leave

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and add extraneous material on H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 172 and rule 
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House 
on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 1.
  The Chair appoints the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar) to preside 
over the Committee of the Whole.

                              {time}  1427


                     In the Committee of the Whole

  Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the 
Whole

[[Page H2391]]

House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 
1) to expand Americans' access to the ballot box, reduce the influence 
of big money in politics, and strengthen ethics rules for public 
servants, and for other purposes, with Mr. Cuellar in the chair.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The CHAIR. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered read the 
first time.
  General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed 2 
hours equally divided and controlled by the chair and the ranking 
minority member of the Committee on House Administration.
  The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren) and the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) each will control 60 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chair, H.R. 1 will begin the process of returning the government 
to the people. Many provisions of H.R. 1 have been pending and ignored 
for years in this House. No more.

                              {time}  1430

  H.R. 1 has been the subject of hearings in five committees and 15 
hours of testimony from witnesses. Throughout these hearings, we have 
heard our Republican friends bemoan a rushed process when, in fact, 
they had 8 years to consider these proposals but failed to do so.
  Today, we deliver on our promise to the American people. H.R. 1 is 
critically important at this point in our history.
  Trust in government and in many institutions has eroded because of 
years of putting profit before the people and letting politicians pick 
their voters.
  Dark money has been allowed to poison our system, drowning out the 
voices of the very people who we were sent here to represent.
  Access to the ballot box has been impeded by arbitrary obstacles that 
have made voting a privilege, not a right.
  Without trust, our representative system suffers. Too many Americans 
view themselves as shut out from our democracy. Others cannot 
participate because of election administration procedures that fail to 
account for how Americans live and work in the 21st century.
  Some of these barriers make it harder for certain populations, 
including communities of color and other underrepresented groups, to 
vote. This is especially the case after the Supreme Court gutted core 
provisions of the Voting Rights Act in Shelby County v. Holder.
  Meanwhile, the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision has 
further empowered wealthy special interests and ushered in nearly a 
billion dollars in money from undisclosed sources, even though the 
Court affirmed the importance of disclosure by a vote of 8 to 1.
  H.R. 1 reverses course and strengthens our democracy and makes it 
easier and more convenient for all eligible Americans to vote. It 
offers solutions to the dominance of big money in politics, and it 
ensures public officials will work in the public interest.
  One of the things that has been discussed is the proposal for a 
freedom from influence fund that will allow for small donors to reclaim 
control of candidates through $200 or less donations.
  I want to make it clear that no taxpayer funds are permitted to flow 
into this freedom from influence fund. Instead, as was approved in our 
last vote, a modest additional assessment of 2.75 percent on Federal 
fines, penalties, and settlements for certain tax crimes and corporate 
malfeasance will be the sole source of funding for this freedom from 
influence fund. In fact, the bad guys will be funding the clean system.
  This bill will lower barriers to voting for all eligible Americans. 
It will save costs, bolster the integrity of election administration, 
and, for example, it will modernize voter registration systems by 
enabling automatic voter registration and same-day voter registration, 
taking advantage of technology to ensure all Americans can register and 
update their voter registration status online. Automatic voter 
registration, alone, may bring up to 50 million new American citizens 
onto the rolls and, therefore, able to vote.
  It makes improvements to ensure ballot access for voters with 
disabilities as well as our overseas and military voters.
  It ensures early voting for at least 15 days and will require States 
to use voter-verified paper ballots. This is a commonsense safeguard to 
cybersecurity threats, especially after the 2016 election showed 
vulnerabilities in our system.
  H.R. 1 will reform redistricting to ensure fairness in the process to 
guard against partisanship and respect communities of interest.
  This legislation will shine a light on dark secret money that 
influences campaigns and will protect everyone's right to know who is 
influencing their votes and their views.
  As I mentioned earlier, it provides an alternative voluntary system 
for candidates to finance their campaigns by empowering small dollar 
contributors all without taxpayer money. This will reduce candidates' 
reliance on wealthy special interests and open the political process to 
more people. This will create a government for the people.
  H.R. 1 will also implement high ethical standards and boost 
confidence in self-government.
  It has been said that we should not take these steps, but Article I, 
Section 4 of the United States Constitution provides that Congress may, 
by law, regulate votes in Federal elections.
  It is time that we take this step. Democracy is resilient, but it 
requires our continual work to ensure that it lives up to its promise.
  H.R. 1 is a major, comprehensive step forward, a step that we must 
take if we are to be true to our promise of our representative 
government.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I yield myself as much time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Chair, I agree with my colleagues across the aisle that there is 
a role for the Federal Government to play in election infrastructure, 
campaign finance disclosure, ballot access transparency, and election 
security. However, H.R. 1 was developed to serve the special interests 
of Democrats and the outside organizations that support the Democratic 
Party and will not accomplish its alleged goal of being for the people.
  The greatest threat to our Nation's election system is partisanship, 
and that is what we are seeing right here in H.R. 1. It misuses 
taxpayer dollars, takes power away from States to administer their own 
elections, and threatens to limit Americans' constitutional rights.
  H.R. 1 proposes all groups limit free speech and imposes vague 
standards that disadvantage citizens who wish to advocate on behalf of 
any public policy issue.
  Every American has a right to support causes they believe in, and 
that is exactly why the American Civil Liberties Union echoes my 
concerns. The ACLU said that there are provisions that 
unconstitutionally impinge on the free speech rights of American 
citizens and public interest organizations.

  When groups that have traditionally supported the Democratic Party 
cannot support H.R. 1, it underscores why election reform legislation 
should not be developed in a partisan manner.
  H.R. 1 overreaches our Constitution by taking power away from States 
that decide how their election should be administered, States that know 
their residents' election needs much better than a Federal bureaucracy 
does.
  Congress should be partnering with States to support them in 
increasing voter registration instead of forcing a federally mandated 
one-size-fits-all approach that will be costly and ineffective.
  This bill also fails to include safeguards, while implementing new 
voter registration and voting practices.
  I cannot stress enough that Congress should absolutely be in favor of 
increasing access to the polls, but we do that by adding the necessary 
checks and balances to ensure these votes and that access are 
protected.
  We should allow States to maintain their own voter rolls in order to 
process voters in a timely manner on election day, avoid unfunded 
mandates, and manage voter lists to avoid voting irregularities. A few 
voting irregularities can change the outcome of a single election, 
especially when you live in a competitive district like I do. Every 
single vote makes a difference between winning and losing.

[[Page H2392]]

  If we pass new voter registration practices in H.R. 1 without 
creating safeguards to prevent voting irregularities in these 
practices, we risk taking away the choice of the American people. 
Simply, another way, H.R. 1 is taking away the voice of each American 
voter.
  If we want to increase our election security, Congress should support 
States choosing their own methods and machines. Multiple points of 
entry are more secure than one system. Federalizing election security, 
as this legislation does, will not protect voters.
  When H.R. 1 was introduced, it was referred to 10 committees in the 
House. This bill, which is now over 600 pages, will now have gone from 
introduction to general debate on the floor of the House with only half 
of those 10 committees holding a single hearing, and only one of those 
committees holding a markup.
  The Democrats promised greater transparency in the majority, but we 
are not seeing that in their first major piece of legislation.
  We just received the CBO score for H.R. 1, which egregiously 
underestimates H.R. 1's cost to the taxpayers by conveniently leaving 
out many of the legislation's most expensive provisions. H.R. 1's 
campaign match provision is what is being left out. CBO said they 
needed more time to develop a more comprehensive score. That was 
ignored.
  Though my Democratic colleagues may have changed where exactly the 
bucket is, they are still using H.R. 1 to put more money into 
politicians' campaigns. H.R. 1 is creating public subsidies through the 
6-to-1 government match program on small dollar campaign contributions 
of up to $200. For every $200, the Federal Government, the taxpayers, 
will now pay $1,200 to a politician, to Members of Congress' campaigns.
  While my colleagues across the aisle now say this will be of no cost 
to the taxpayer--as of a new gimmick that they developed yesterday--I 
would like to point out that every single House Democrat signed on to 
cosponsor this legislation before any changes were made to this 
provision.
  Make no mistake, the new majority wants to put your hard-earned tax 
dollars into their own campaigns. While they may have changed the route 
to get there, that is their fundamental goal with this obvious sham 
campaign finance reform. They say they want to get money out of 
politics, but they are using this bill, H.R. 1, to funnel more in.
  Provisions like this do not belong in any campaign or finance 
election reforms. Election reforms should be bipartisan, not serving 
the interests of partisan politicians.
  As we move forward with the debate today, I hope my colleagues across 
the aisle will thoughtfully reconsider their eager support of a bill 
that will harm the American voter and taxpayer and not simply vote, as 
we have seen throughout this not-open process, along partisan lines.
  Every American's vote should be counted and protected.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Nadler), chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  Mr. Chair, the right to vote has been called protective of all other 
rights. Without it, you can't protect your rights. That right has been 
eroded in recent years.
  We have seen many attempts on the State and local level to limit the 
right to vote for minorities, to close polling places, to limit the 
hours of voting, to put in phony requirements that prevent people from 
voting.
  We must restore, as this bill will do, the protections of the 1965 
Voting Rights Act that guarantee the right to vote, that stop local 
politicians from choosing their own electorates.
  We must eliminate the poison of large campaign contributions from 
hidden money. The dominance in our politics of large campaign 
contributions when someone anonymously can give $20,000 to $30,000--or 
millions of dollars--to various PACs which then funnel the money to 
politicians is subversive of our democracy.
  It is a metastasized cancer on our democracy. And if we don't excise 
this cancer through this bill, historians will eventually write, I 
fear, that the American Republic, like the Roman Republic, had a good 
250-year run with democracy but then evolved into an oligarchy, which 
is the direction we are headed in.
  We must ban those huge campaign contributions, substitute a system of 
small contributions by ordinary people that will be matched so that the 
public, not the plutocrats, will dominate our politics and control our 
legislation.

  We should restore our right to vote for people who committed crimes 
long ago and have long since paid their debts to society.
  These restrictions and ex-felons voting were put in specifically to 
guarantee white supremacy. Read the debates in the various State 
conventions in the 1900s and 1910.
  This bill will help strengthen Americans' faith in their government 
institutions and ensure that everyone has a voice in determining how 
our country is governed.
  Mr. Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to support this landmark 
legislation.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Walker), my colleague, good friend, 
and member on the House Administration Committee.
  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Chair, I thank the ranking member for his work.
  Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1. While my colleagues 
on the other side of the aisle have deemed this bill to be ``for the 
people,'' a more proper characterization would be ``for the 
politicians.''
  Voting is a foundational right for all Americans, and the egregious 
provisions of this bill would jeopardize our freedoms. In particular, 
this legislation fails to address the issue of ballot harvesting.
  As we have seen in California and my own State of North Carolina, 
ballot harvesting has created troubling irregularities in several 
elections due to the lack of oversight and opportunities for voter 
manipulation and intimidation.
  Ballot harvesting allows political operatives with a partisan agenda 
to get involved in the collection and submission of votes, creating an 
opportunity for organizations or campaign workers to exploit voters and 
violate our fundamental rights.
  Americans should have a choice on how they want to vote, who they 
want to support, and if they want to vote at all.

                              {time}  1445

  Not only would H.R. 1 manipulate the voting process, but it would 
also restrict our rights as Americans to donate to the campaigns of our 
choosing and would allow the Federal Government to use our taxpayer 
dollars to subsidize elections.
  Aside from the proposed matching donations with a 6-to-1 ratio, H.R. 
1 would create a pilot program to provide $25 vouchers for eligible 
voters. In practice, that means taxpayer money from hardworking 
Americans could be used to finance campaigns for candidates they do not 
support.
  If this doesn't limit free speech enough, another provision of the 
bill politicizes the Federal Election Commission by reducing membership 
from six to five. This makes a traditionally nonpartisan organization 
political, giving one party the power to make partisan decisions about 
election communications.
  With the vague standards created by H.R. 1, this would affect any 
group wishing to advocate on behalf of any legislative issue.
  In short, this legislation violates the First Amendment. Even the 
ACLU has problems with it. It creates an avenue for fraud and subjects 
voters to potential exploitation.
  While my colleagues across the aisle will support this bill to 
subsidize their own elections and keep their party in the majority, I 
will stand up for our rights as Americans and vote against one of the 
worst bills ever, this abhorrent assault on our election system.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Price), a pioneer and leader in clean government.
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague and I 
rise in strong support of H.R. 1. It is a comprehensive, once-in-a-
generation blueprint for reforming our democratic

[[Page H2393]]

system, ranging from gerrymandering to voter suppression, and voting 
rights to the dominance of unaccountable big money in our politics. It 
is an urgent priority rightly numbered H.R. 1, and basic to everything 
else we need to do. If our democracy doesn't work, nothing works.
  It represents a culmination of issues I have worked on during my 
entire time in Congress, particularly, the way moneyed interests can 
corrupt our politics and how they drown out the voices of everyone 
else.
  The For the People Act will modernize our Presidential public 
financing system. It will establish a new public matching system for 
congressional races to empower small donors. It will crack down on 
improper super-PAC coordination with campaigns.
  H.R. 1 also includes my legislation to repeal the IRS dark-money 
rule, and it expands my original stand-by-your-ad provision to require 
corporations and other groups to disclose the top funders when they run 
political ads over the air or on the internet.
  These reforms will empower American voters and encourage more diverse 
candidates to run for office, and will help break the stranglehold of 
big money on our politics.
  Let's deliver on the promises we have made to restore integrity, 
accountability, and transparency to our democracy. I urge my colleagues 
to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan), my good friend.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise to strongly oppose H.R. 1. This is 
an egregious assault on the fundamental rights and freedoms of 
Americans.
  H.R. 1, really, is a fight over liberty. This is a fight over the 
constitutional duties and roles of the States, one of which being the 
role in conducting elections.
  Article I, section 4 says clearly, ``The times, places, and manner of 
holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed 
in each State by the legislature thereof.''
  Having individual States conduct elections has been vital to 
preserving the integrity and security of elections across the country. 
But this debate really is about the Democrats' desire to centralize 
power here in one place, Washington, D.C.
  Instead of actively giving more power to Washington bureaucrats, we 
should be divesting power away from the expansive Federal Government, 
and reserving that power for the States, because that is the way the 
Founding Fathers designed our Republic.
  But, sadly, this bill is nothing but a top-down power grab by the 
Democrats using the Federal Government to micromanage the electoral 
process, impose limits on free speech, and further impose 
unconstitutional mandates.
  Mr. Chair, this is not the liberty our Founders intended. In fact, 
this is a dangerous proposal that centralizes power, enhances Big 
Government in Washington, and takes decisionmaking power out of the 
hands of the States and the people.
  Let's ask ourselves: Is this the proper and constitutional role of 
the Federal Government? And the answer to that question is, no. H.R. 1 
encroaches on the liberties and powers of the Constitution reserved for 
the States and the people, and I oppose this type of power grab. I 
think that is what so infuriates so many Americans.
  We take an oath here to uphold and defend the Constitution of the 
United States. We shouldn't be passing bills like H.R. 1. We should be 
passing bills that preserve the liberty and freedom enshrined in the 
Constitution.
  I encourage all Members to adamantly oppose this legislation, because 
if you take your oath seriously--because we aren't voting for a fancy 
title of a bill, when you actually read the language of this 
legislation, you see that it undermines the Constitution and the rights 
of every single American across the country, under the guise of making 
elections safer.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I have to note that the last speaker failed to read the entire 
section. Article I, section 4 says: ``The times, places and manner of 
holding elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed 
in each State by the legislature thereof;'' as was mentioned. And it 
then goes on to say, ``but the Congress may at any time by law make or 
alter such regulations. . . . `' And that is what we are doing here.
  Why? Because we have seen in States throughout the country efforts to 
prevent people from voting in Federal elections. And so a voter in one 
State is treated differently than in another State, and that is what we 
are going to change with H.R. 1.
  Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Krishnamoorthi).
  Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of the For the 
People Act, which includes language from my legislation with Senator 
Cory Booker, the Help Students Vote Act.
  Young Americans vote at the lowest rates of any age group, and a key 
factor in that are the challenges of voting on a new college campus far 
away from home. My legislation has three provisions to address this 
challenge.
  First, it requires every college and university to email timely voter 
registration information to all of its students.
  Second, it requires every school to designate a campus vote 
coordinator to answer students' questions about voting.
  Third, it authorizes grants to colleges and universities that take 
exemplary action to promote civic engagement.
  I want to thank the many organizations supporting the legislation, 
including Young Invincibles, and the Students Learn Students Vote 
Coalition.
  By helping students register and vote, we can ensure our government 
better responds to the people it serves, while encouraging our next 
generation of leaders.
  Mr. Chair, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this measure.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I am very privileged to 
stand here with somebody who grew up in the same rural county as I did, 
in Christian County, Illinois.
  Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. 
Bucshon), my good friend.
  Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1, the 
Democrat politician protection act. This legislation is a radical 
attempt to hijack our free and fair election system, and limit the 
voices of the American people.
  For example, in H.R. 1, Democrats are proposing the public financing 
of elections which would force Americans' hard-earned tax dollars to be 
subsidizing political campaigns they do not support, limiting 
constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of speech and association.
  Furthermore, this one-size-fits-all Federal takeover of the election 
process will open the door for voting irregularities through Federal 
mandates on voter registration and voting practices that will be forced 
on the States--a massive Federal power grab.
  Last time I checked, voting happens at the State level, and is the 
right and responsibility of the State and local governments.
  They say this only affects Federal elections, but does anyone really 
believe that the States will have two separate systems? I am in full 
support of increasing voter registration participation in our election 
process. Unfortunately, this legislation goes far beyond increasing 
voter participation, and, instead, is a misguided attempt to rig our 
Nation's electoral systems for the benefit of the Democratic Party by 
telling Americans, once again, that the Federal Government and 
Washington bureaucrats know best.
  Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this liberty- and freedom-
limiting legislation.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Davis), a valued Member of the House Administration 
Committee.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Chairman, this bill was not rushed. It 
is long overdue. I recently joined our colleague and civil rights icon, 
Congressman   John Lewis, on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, 
commemorating the march and the fight for the right to vote.
  We can never forget how many people have risked and lost their lives 
for that right. Fifty-four years later, our election system is still 
stacked against

[[Page H2394]]

many Americans. Some eligible voters are still prohibited from voting 
by mail and can't make it to the polls.

  Some eligible voters have still been unfairly purged from the rolls, 
and some communities still do not have enough polling locations, 
leading to long lines.
  We need justice. We need to expand the fixes that have been proven to 
work in so many of our States, and that is exactly what H.R. 1 does.
  If we are for the people, not just the ones we think will vote for 
us, then we should be for this bill.
  Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chair, I love this country. I love this country for what it is. I 
love this country for the principles and the ideas on which it was 
founded. America is not a place. It is not a government. It is not a 
people. It is an idea.
  One of the ideas of our Founders is that the government is most 
effective when it is local, the closest to the people.
  I want to correct something that I think my colleagues on the other 
side may not understand or are just not presenting to the American 
people. Yes, the Constitution gives Congress the ability at times to 
come in and modify election law, but this bill is so sweeping, it 
strips the States of their constitutional authority that was given to 
them by the Constitution by eliminating their influence in elections 
altogether.
  The true intention of the Founders when it came to this provision in 
the Constitution was predominantly to ensure that the States could not 
render the Congress ineffective by refusing to hold elections so they 
would ensure that we always have a quorum here.
  That was the purpose of that. We need to go back to the original 
intent of the Founders when they added this in the Constitution.
  Mr. Chairman, if you read the writings of the Founding Fathers, this 
is ultimately clear. I want to read to you something that James Madison 
said regarding the States' authority, especially when it comes to 
elections. He said, ``The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution 
to the Federal Government are few and defined. Those which are to 
remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. . . . The 
powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects 
which in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives and 
liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, 
improvement and prosperity of the State.
  They could not be clearer that the States should be the ones setting 
the laws regarding elections. This would totally undermine that.
  Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. 
Woodall), my good friend and colleague.

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. WOODALL. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from Georgia for 
yielding me the time.
  It is tough to get up and speak after the Federalist Papers have been 
referenced because they do go to the core of who we are. So does 
election integrity.
  I look around, and I see my friends from the other side of the aisle, 
along with friends on my side of the aisle, and election integrity is a 
shared value. So you would think that the solution to election 
integrity challenges would be a shared solution.
  But if I go to my friends on the Republican side of the House 
Administration Committee, the only one of the 10 committees this bill 
was referred to that marked it up, I will find that not one Republican 
was consulted on the drafting of this language.
  Mr. Chairman, you have heard my colleagues talk about the wholesale 
changes to election law--State election law--across this country. You 
would think, Mr. Chairman, that we would have talked to all 50 
secretaries of state. That wouldn't be true.
  Maybe you would think we would have consulted with 25 secretaries of 
state. It wouldn't be true. What would be true is, in the one committee 
that had the one markup on this bill, we consulted with one State 
election official.
  Mr. Chairman, this is an opportunity for us to do something together. 
We can either take advantage of that opportunity or we can poison the 
well. How in the world can we promise the American people election 
integrity when one side is writing the rules?
  It should be instructive to us all the way this bill has come to the 
floor, and it is yet another, Mr. Chairman, in a string of missed 
opportunities that we have had. I will give you just one example.
  I made a motion last night in the Rules Committee to only bring this 
bill to the floor as it was marked up in committee. We have talked 
about a bill that is going to guarantee voter transparency. We don't 
even have legislative transparency on this bill. We couldn't get the 
bill brought to the floor from the one of the 10 committees that marked 
it up. We had manager's amendments added. We had the bill not as 
reported.
  I offered another amendment last night. If it is so important that we 
legislate for the first time in American history that tax returns be 
released by elected officials--this bill includes let's release them at 
the Presidential level and let's release them at the Vice Presidential 
level--I offered an amendment to the rule to allow a vote on whether or 
not they should be considered at your level, Mr. Chairman. That 
amendment was denied on a partisan line.
  Let's not make this a partisan issue; it is an American issue.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), who is my colleague on the Judiciary 
Committee.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for her 
leadership and Mr. Sarbanes for his leadership and for allowing us to 
tell our stories. Let me tell you the story of Texas.
  In 2017, right before a bond election in my district and surrounding 
areas, 4,000 people were taken off the voting rolls. In 2018, the 
Secretary of State's Office purged people off the voting rolls with 
absolutely no understanding and no notice.
  H.R. 1 expands the access to the ballot box by creating voluntary 
automatic voter registration access across the country, ensuring that 
the rights of individuals who have completed felony sentences--family 
members, your neighbors who have done their time--have the ability to 
register as well, and expanding early voting. Be reminded of the 2000 
election when those who had done their time, were citizens, went to the 
voting poll, and they were told: Oh, you cannot vote.
  It ends partisan gerrymandering, but in particular, it focuses on 
opportunities for voting. So I am here to say those provisions are 
crucial to providing the American public its constitutional right to 
vote, and we should support that right.
  Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1, The ``For the 
People Act of 2019,'' which expands access to the ballot box, reduces 
the influence of big money in politics, and strengthens ethics rules 
for public servants.
  I am proud to be one of 226, co-sponsors, and one of the original 
cosponsors, of H.R. 1, which will increase public confidence in our 
democracy by reducing the role of money in politics, restoring ethical 
standards and integrity to government, and strengthening laws to 
protect voting.
  Specifically, the For the People Act will:
  1. Make it easier, not harder, to vote by implementing automatic 
voter registration, requiring early voting and vote by mail, committing 
Congress to reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act and ensuring the 
integrity of our elections by modernizing and strengthening our voting 
systems and ending partisan redistricting.
  2. Reform the campaign finance system by requiring all political 
organizations to disclose large donors, updating political 
advertisement laws for the digital age, establishing a public matching 
system for citizen-owned elections, and revamping the Federal Election 
Commission to ensure there's a cop on the campaign finance beat; and
  3. Strengthen ethics laws to ensure that public officials work in the 
public interest by extending conflict of interest laws to the President 
and Vice President; requiring the release of their tax returns; closing 
loopholes that allow former members of Congress to avoid cooling-off 
periods for lobbying; closing the revolving door between industry and 
the federal government; and establishing a code of conduct for the 
Supreme Court.
  H.R. 1 expands access to the ballot box by taking aim at 
institutional barriers to voting.
  This bill ensures that individuals who have completed felony 
sentences have their full

[[Page H2395]]

rights restored and expands early voting and simplify absentee voting; 
and modernize the U.S. voting system.
  Mr. Chair, this legislation and this hearing is particularly timely 
because more than half a century after the passage of the Voting Rights 
Act of 1965, we are still discussing voter suppression--something which 
should be a bygone relic of the past, but yet continues to 
disenfranchise racial minorities, immigrants, women, and young people.
  The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a watershed moment for the Civil 
Rights Movement--it liberated communities of color from legal 
restrictions barring them from exercising the fundamental right to 
civic engagement and political representation.
  But uncaged by Supreme Court's infamous 2013 decision in Shelby 
County v. Holder, 570 U.S. 529 (2013), which neutered the preclearance 
provision of the Voting Rights Act, 14 states, including my state of 
Texas, took extreme measures to enforce new voting restrictions before 
the 2016 presidential election.
  It is not a coincidence that many of these same states have 
experienced increasing numbers of black and Hispanic voters in recent 
elections.
  If not for invidious, state-sponsored voter suppression policies like 
discriminatory voter ID laws, reduced early voting periods, and voter 
intimidation tactics that directly or indirectly target racial 
minorities, the 2016 presidential election might have had a drastically 
different outcome.
  Mr. Chair, H.R. 1 must be passed because many of the civil rights 
that I fought for as a student and young lawyer have been undermined or 
been rolled back by reactionary forces in recent years.
  To add insult to injury, the Trump Administration issued an Executive 
Order establishing a so-called ``Election Integrity'' Commission to 
investigate not voter suppression, but so-called ``voter fraud'' in the 
2016 election.
  Trump and his followers have been unceasing in their efforts to 
perpetuate the myth of voter fraud, but it remains just that: a myth.
  Between 2000 and 2014, there were 35 credible allegations of voter 
fraud out of more than 834 million ballots cast--that is less than 1 in 
28 million votes!
  An extensive study by social scientists at Dartmouth College 
uncovered no evidence to support Trump's hysterical and outrageous 
allegations of widespread voter fraud ``rigging'' the 2016 election.
  Just for the record, Mr. Chair, the popular vote of the 2016 
presidential election was:
  Hillary Clinton, 65,853,516
  Donald Trump, 62,884,824
  Trump's deficit of 2.9 million was the largest of any Electoral 
College winner in history by a massive margin, and despite the 
allegations of the current Administration, there have been only 4 
documented cases of voter fraud in the 2016 election.
  The Voter Fraud Commission, like many of Trump's business schemes, 
was a massive scam built on countless lies that do not hold up to any 
level of scrutiny.
  As Members of Congress, we should be devoting our time, energy, and 
resources addressing Russian infiltration of our election 
infrastructure and campaigns, along with other pressing issues.
  Instead of enjoying and strengthening the protections guaranteed in 
the Voting Rights Act--people of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, and 
immigrants--have been given the joyless, exhausting task of fending off 
the constant barrage of attacks levelled at our communities by Trump 
and other conspiracy theorists.
  Not only are we tasked with reversing the current dismal state of 
voter suppression against minorities; we are forced to refute the 
blatant, propagandist lie of voter fraud.
  To this end, I have been persistent in my efforts to protect the 
rights of disenfranchised communities in my district of inner-city 
Houston and across the nation.
  Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have cosponsored dozens of bills, 
amendments, and resolutions seeking to improve voters' rights at all 
stages and levels of the election process.
  This includes legislation aimed at:
  1. Increasing voter outreach and turnout;
  2. Ensuring both early and same-day registration;
  3. Standardizing physical and language accessibility at polling 
places;
  4. Expanding early voting periods;
  5. Decreasing voter wait times;
  6. Guaranteeing absentee ballots, especially for displaced citizens;
  7. Modernizing voting technologies and strengthening our voter record 
systems;
  8. Establishing the federal Election Day as a national holiday; and
  9. Condemning and criminalizing deceptive practices, voter 
intimidation, and other suppression tactics;
  Along with many of my CBC colleagues, I was an original cosponsor of 
H.R. 9, the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting 
Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act, which became public law 
on July 27, 2006.
  I also authored H.R. 745 in the 110th Congress, which added the 
legendary Barbara Jordan to the list of civil rights trailblazers whose 
memories are honored in the naming the Voting Rights Act 
Reauthorization and Amendments Act.
  This bill strengthened the original Voting Rights Act by replacing 
federal voting examiners with federal voting observers--a significant 
enhancement that made it easier to safeguard against racially biased 
voter suppression tactics.
  In the 114th Congress, I introduced H.R. 75, the Coretta Scott King 
Mid-Decade Redistricting Prohibition Act of 2015, which prohibits 
states whose congressional districts have been redistricted after a 
decennial census from redrawing their district lines until the next 
census.
  Prejudiced redistricting, or gerrymandering as it is more commonly 
known, has been used for decades to weaken the voting power of African 
Americans, Latino Americans, and other minorities since the Civil 
Rights Era.
  Immediately after the Shelby County ruling, which lifted preclearance 
requirements for states with histories of discrimination seeking to 
change their voting laws or practices, redistricting became a favorite 
tool for Republicans who connived to unfairly gain 3 congressional 
seats in Texas.
  In the 110th Congress, I was the original sponsor of H.R. 6778, the 
Ex-Offenders Voting Rights Act of 2008, which prohibited denial of the 
right to vote in a federal election on the bases of an individual's 
status as a formerly incarcerated person.
  The Ex-Offenders Voting Rights Act sought to reverse discriminatory 
voter restrictions that disproportionately affect the African American 
voting population, which continues to be targeted by mass 
incarceration, police profiling, and a biased criminal justice system.
  Those of us who cherish the right to vote justifiably are skeptical 
of Voter ID laws because we understand how these laws, like poll taxes 
and literacy tests, can be used to impede or negate the ability of 
seniors, racial and language minorities, and young people to cast their 
votes.
  Voter ID laws are just one of the means that can be used to abridge 
or suppress the right to vote but there are others, including:
  1. Curtailing or Eliminating Early Voting;
  2. Ending Same-Day Registration;
  3. Not counting provisional ballots cast in the wrong precinct on 
Election Day will not count;
  4. Eliminating Teenage Pre-Registration;
  5. Shortened Poll Hours;
  6. Lessening the standards governing voter challenges used by 
vigilantes, like the King Street Patriots in my city of Houston, to 
cause trouble at the polls;
  7. ``Voter Caging,'' to suppress the turnout of minority voters by 
sending non-forwardable mail to targeted populations and, once the mail 
is returned, using the returned mail to compile lists of voters whose 
eligibility is then challenged on the basis of residence under state 
law; and
  8. Employing targeted redistricting techniques to dilute minority 
voting strength, notably ``Cracking'' (i.e., fragmenting and dispersing 
concentrations of minority populations); ``Stacking'' (combining 
concentrations of minority voters with greater concentrations of white 
populations); and ``Packing'' (i.e., over-concentrating minority voters 
in as few districts as possible).
  Mr. Chair, we must not allow our democracy to slide back into the 
worst elements of this country's past, to stand idly by as our 
treasured values of democracy, progress, and equality are poisoned and 
dismantled.
  I urge all members to join me in voting to pass H.R. 1, the ``For The 
People Act of 2019.''
  Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I appreciate what the gentlewoman from Texas just 
brought up, but part of the responsibilities of the State are to ensure 
that those who have been given the right to vote are the ones voting. 
That is why the States--and the Supreme Court has upheld this--have not 
only the right, but the responsibility to ensure that the voter rolls 
are purged of those who have moved, who have passed away, or who have 
been shown as ineligible to vote.
  Just a few weeks ago, I was able to write a congratulatory letter to 
a new immigrant to the United States. For 16 years, she worked to 
become a citizen of the United States, with the dream of voting. This 
next election she will be able to cast her vote as a citizen of the 
United States of America.
  Part of our responsibility is to ensure that her vote matters and it 
isn't discredited by someone who is not eligible to vote casting a vote 
and diluting her

[[Page H2396]]

voice in this government. That is why it is more appropriate for the 
States, who are closer to the people, to be the ones who are setting 
the standards--according to our Constitution--for election.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Olson).
  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Chairman, back home, all Texans agree the 10 most 
terrifying words and the biggest lie people can hear is ``I'm from the 
Federal Government, and I'm here to help.''
  On that viewpoint, H.R. 1, which is called the For the People Act, 
should be called the ``For the Big Government Act'' or, more 
accurately, the ``Big Lie Act.''
  Texas 22 does not want to have $6 of Federal tax dollars given to 
subsidize small donors and match every dollar they raise. They prefer 
that $6 of their money be used for new roads, deeper ports, Border 
Patrol, safe schools, and hurricane prevention.
  Texas is being swarmed by Californians. They are coming for jobs, a 
low State income tax--zero--and a friendly environment for businesses. 
Just like we don't want a tax on plastic straws, Texans sure as heck 
don't want to follow California's same-day registration.
  I ask my colleagues, respect the Constitution, respect the 10th 
Amendment, respect States' rights, and vote against this terrible bill.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, it is my honor to yield 1 minute to the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), who is the Democratic leader.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I 
thank her for her leadership on this bill, H.R. 1, and I thank Mr. 
Sarbanes for being a principal sponsor and proponent of H.R. 1.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise as the sponsor of the Help America Vote Act in 
2002, which responded to the lack of performance on our voting system 
in the 2000 election, hanging chads and all. This bill expands on that.
  But let me, at the outset, remind those who would talk about what the 
Constitution says to read a portion of the Constitution.
  Let me say before I do that, throughout my lifetime, early in my 
lifetime, I heard a lot about States' rights. People talk about the 
right to vote. I was in Alabama this past weekend, and we commemorated 
the march over the Edmund Pettus Bridge, which was led by our 
colleague,   John Lewis. There were State troopers meeting him on the 
other side of the bridge that beat and almost killed   John Lewis. Why? 
Because he was marching from Selma to Montgomery to register to vote.
  I remember, as a child--not a child; I was a young man--watching 
Lester Maddox on television with an ax handle saying that nobody was 
going to integrate his premises.
  I have heard a lot about States' rights through the years. Now, what 
did our Founders say about States' rights as it relates to Members of 
Congress? ``The times, places, and manner of holding elections for 
Senators and Representatives shall be prescribed in each State by the 
legislature thereof''--and apparently we didn't get to this phrase--
``but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such 
regulations. . . . `'
  Why did our Founders do that? Because they wanted one nation.
  Now, that was not our pledge at that point in time, but they wanted 
the Colonies to come together as a nation. They had been a federation, 
and it didn't work so well. So they wanted one nation to come together, 
and at least for the Federal Congress, they reserved to the Federal 
Congress the right to set the rules in the Constitution.
  Mr. Chairman, last September, I delivered a speech outlining House 
Democrats' plans to renew faith in government by enacting a series of 
reforms to increase transparency, accountability, and ethics reform. 
This week, after extensive hearings and lots of witnesses, we bring to 
the floor a legislative package of reforms that made good on our 
promises to the American people last year.
  We didn't make a secret of this. This was well-known to everybody, 
and they gave us the majority of this House. We are redeeming, today, 
that honor and that responsibility.
  I want to thank, again, Representative Sarbanes and the cosponsors of 
this bill, every single Democratic Member. I want to thank   John 
Lewis, a giant of a man, a giant of principle, a giant who risked his 
very life to make sure that the protections available in this bill 
would be available to every American and that we would promote--not 
prevent--accessibility to the voting booth and that we would not 
confront people going over a bridge in Selma, Alabama, who only wanted 
to register to vote, to be turned around by State troopers ordered by 
Governor Wallace to do so.
  This bill was driven in large part by our dynamic freshman class who 
were elected on a platform of making government work once again for the 
people.
  This For the People Act will open government up in several critical 
ways. First, it includes real national redistricting reform. I am for 
that. Mr. Chairman, it may cost Maryland a seat--I get that--but it is 
the right thing to do to have a level playing field.

  Now, we have got a number of court cases that have turned around 
redistricting in North Carolina, in Pennsylvania, in Texas, and in some 
other States as well. But I have always said that, in order to be 
successful, redistricting reform cannot be done on a State-by-State 
basis; and the Constitution, of course, says that Congress may at any 
time by law make or alter such regulations so that we have fair--they 
don't have to do this for State elections. If they don't want to do it, 
that is fine. But we, under the Constitution, are the arbiters of 
Federal elections. It must be a uniform process across all States.
  H.R. 1, the For the People Act, achieves this by requiring a 
nonpartisan redistricting commission to oversee the process in every 
State.
  What does that mean? It means the politicians will not do it. Iowa, 
California, or Arizona will have a fair redistricting process.
  Next, this bill includes a much-needed expansion of voting rights to 
protect our democracy. It would institute automatic voter registration.
  In America, if you are an American citizen, you ought to have the 
right to vote, and government ought not make it difficult for you to 
exercise that right. No eligible voter should ever be turned away from 
his or her polling place.
  It will also restore the vote to those who have paid their debt to 
society and should have a voice in their representative government.
  This legislation builds on the important bipartisan work we did in 
2002 when we passed, as I pointed out, the Help America Vote Act. It 
reauthorizes the Election Assistance Commission, which, very frankly, 
my Republican friends tried to eliminate on a number of occasions and 
transfer their authority to the finance commission, which oversees 
campaign finance--not election laws, campaign finance. It was a way to, 
in effect, undermine and kill, in many ways, the Election Assistance 
Commission designed to make sure that our elections are secure and 
fair. It reauthorizes the Election Assistance Commission, which is 
critically important to ensuring modern, accessible, and secure 
elections.
  In addition, H.R. 1 will make campaign finance more transparent, 
requiring super-PACs to disclose their donors.
  Again, I want to congratulate my colleague. We are very proud of   
John Sarbanes and his dad in Maryland. He has been indefatigable in his 
work in trying to make sure that it is the people's interest and not 
the financial interests that control our elections.

                              {time}  1515

  This bill will end the era of massive amounts of dark, unaccountable 
money funding ads and campaigns.
  The For the People Act will also impose higher ethical standards on 
America's highest elected officials.
  There is only one person in government who can do something on his 
own. It is not the Senate. It is not the House. It is not us. We need 
collectivity. But the President can make substantial decisions on his 
own and, in fact, has. He has done so over the wishes of the Congress 
of the United States just recently, so the people ought to know what 
his interests are and whether he is acting for his interests or the 
people's interests.
  Among other new requirements, Presidents and Vice Presidents would

[[Page H2397]]

be required, therefore, to release 10 years' worth of tax returns.
  In such ways, H.R. 1 will make strides, Mr. Chair, in restoring the 
trust in government that, unfortunately, has been lost in recent years. 
Americans need to know that their government works for them and can be 
a force for good for their families, their communities, and our 
country.
  I rise in strong support of this legislation. I don't rise because I 
think it is perfect, but I rise because I think it is an excellent 
effort to redeem the promise of America and our democracy.
  It is for the people. Let us vote for the people.
  Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chair, I thank my esteemed colleague, the majority leader, for 
whom I have an immense amount of respect. I appreciate the words that 
he said and especially his participation in the commemoration of the 
march in Selma, in which my family has also participated.
  Have we always got it right in the United States? No. Our Founders 
knew that we would make mistakes along the way, but they gave us the 
power and the ability to correct those mistakes.
  The lack of civil rights in this Nation was a travesty to the people. 
It flew in the face of the ideas of our Founders that all men were 
created equal. That is why Republicans fought so hard for civil rights 
during the 1960s and 1970s.
  I agree with the majority leader. We do have the ability, according 
to the Constitution, to make modifications. But H.R. 1 is not a 
modification. It is a sweeping takeover of the election system, leaving 
the States with very little authority or power over their own 
elections, as well as the Federal elections.
  I also would like to say that I heard that this bill has had 
extensive hearings. I serve on the Committee on House Administration, 
the only committee which had a hearing on this bill. The hearing lasted 
5 hours, and the only reason it lasted that long was because the 
Republicans submitted 28 amendments to the bill. Otherwise, this bill 
would have gone right in and right out of committee, with probably less 
than an hour of a committee hearing, and come to this floor.
  It has 10 committees of jurisdiction. It has not gone before those 
committees, so I submit it has not followed regular order.
  Especially with something of this magnitude, the American people have 
the right to hear, they have the right to understand, what is in this 
bill. They have not been afforded that opportunity.
  Mr. Chair, we have 50 States, 50 State Governors, 50 secretaries of 
state, and I know my Governor and secretary of state have not been 
involved in this process. It has a drastic impact, not only upon the 
voting rights of the people in Georgia, but also on the budget of 
Georgia, the fiscal cost.
  Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Perry), my good friend.
  Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I thank Mr. Loudermilk for the time, and I, 
too, thank the majority leader for his comments. But I don't think it 
should be removed from history that the Governor of Alabama at that 
time ran on segregation; multiple times, ran on segregation. It was the 
Republicans in this House, the majority percentage of Republicans, that 
carried the day for the Voting Rights Act.
  Mr. Chair, this bill, among other things, forces States to count 
votes cast outside of voters' assigned precincts. Just think about 
that. I am going to vote for you over here even though I don't live 
there. That is going to be great. That is what we all want, people who 
don't live in our neighborhoods voting for the people who decide our 
fates and our policies.
  Mr. Chair, the For the People Act, that is what it is called, but I 
wonder: Which people? Is it the people here or the people out there?
  It seems like it is for the people here when powerful voices on the 
left and the right oppose this bill, voices like the ACLU, voices like 
the NRA and Planned Parenthood, because, Mr. Chair, while you might 
want to contribute to one of those organizations because you believe in 
their cause, you don't want the protest to show up on your doorstep. It 
is bad enough that it shows up, the protest, at Planned Parenthood or 
the NRA or the gun show or whatever, but now the protest is going to 
show up at your door--at your door--because the people who are opposed 
to the things you believe in are going to find out you sent your 5 
bucks in. They are going to come to your door and say: Well, I don't 
agree with you. I don't like you. And I don't think you should be 
spending your money on those things.
  Is that what we want in America? That is what this bill does, Mr. 
Chair. Essentially, it is going to empower the Federal Election 
Commission to carry out the actions of Lois Lerner and the IRS during 
the last administration in an attempt to silence opposition to the 
politicians in the swamp, in this place, regardless of which side you 
are on.
  I urge a ``no'' vote for this bill, Mr. Chair.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin), who has served so faithfully on the House 
Homeland Security Committee.
  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I 
would also like to thank her, Chairman Thompson, Congressman Sarbanes, 
and the many Democratic Members who helped craft this important 
legislation.

  H.R. 1, Mr. Chairman, among many things, will make our elections more 
ethical and will make them more secure.
  As a former Rhode Island secretary of state and member of the 
Congressional Task Force on Election Security, I absolutely believe 
that we must actively address our elections systems' vulnerabilities, 
or our enemies certainly will.
  H.R. 1 provides States with funding, guidance, and threat 
intelligence to secure election systems by purchasing voting machines 
that provide auditable paper ballots, securing voter registration 
databases, and training election officials.
  Now, these suggestions came from the task force, and they reflect 
guidance we heard from leaders like Rhode Island Secretary of State 
Nellie Gorbea, who is implementing one of the Nation's first risk-
limiting audits. They also reflect the wisdom of the cybersecurity 
researchers who have so much to offer in identifying vulnerabilities 
and helping us to close them.
  Mr. Chairman, with the 2020 elections around the corner, I am proud 
to support this legislation, because we must act now to protect our 
democracy.
  Mr. Chair, I would like to thank Ms. Lofgren, Chairman Thompson, 
Congressman Sarbanes, and the many House Democratic members who helped 
craft this vital legislation. The For the People Act will not only make 
our elections more ethical and accessible, it will also help secure 
them from outside interference.
  As a former Secretary of State of Rhode Island and member of the 
Congressional Task Force on Election Security, I believe we must 
actively address the vulnerabilities in our election systems.
  We know that Russia interfered with our 2016 elections, targeting 
political organizations and the election infrastructure of at least 21 
states. They sought to undermine public confidence in our elections, 
and despite no evidence of ballot tampering, millions of Americans now 
question whether their votes are counted properly.
  While state and local governments must retain control of elections, 
they cannot be expected to confront a nation state like Russia on their 
own. We owe it to our state partners to provide the resources they need 
to protect these vital systems at the heart of our democracy.
  H.R. 1 ensures states have the funding, guidance, and threat 
intelligence they need to address the risks and vulnerabilities in 
their systems, whether by purchasing voting machines that provide 
auditable paper ballots, securing voter registration databases, or 
training election officials in cybersecurity best practices.
  These are all suggestions that came from the Task Force, and they 
reflect guidance we heard from local election leaders like Rhode 
Island's current Secretary of State, Nellie Gorbea, who is implementing 
one of the first risk-limiting audits in the nation. They also reflect 
the wisdom of the cybersecurity research community that has so much to 
offer when it comes to shoring up our systems and networks.
  With the 2020 elections right around the corner, I'm proud to support 
this legislation--it's more important than ever that we act swiftly to 
protect the integrity of our democracy.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire how much time remains on 
each side.
  The CHAIR. The gentlewoman from California has 44\1/2\ minutes 
remaining.

[[Page H2398]]

The gentleman from Georgia has 38 minutes remaining.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Upton).
  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Chairman, I have long been a supporter of campaign 
finance reform. I voted for motor voter. I voted for McCain-Feingold 
the year in the House it was Shays-Meehan. I supported the Help America 
Vote Act in 2002.
  There are plenty of flaws in the current system. That is for sure. 
And we need to fix it. But you know what? We have a Democratic House, 
and we have a Republican Senate, and the only way that we are 
reasonably going to fix this issue is with a bipartisan bill.
  I am the only Republican here today who was here in 1993 when we 
passed the motor voter bill. This was a bill that was patterned after 
what Michigan has had in place for decades. When you get your driver's 
license, you are asked to register to vote. It works.
  This bill, H.R. 1, is not bipartisan. One of our big objections is 
truly the taxpayer-financed campaign element of this bill.
  If you do a poll today across the country, you are going to find that 
most voters are going to say that campaigns are too expensive; they are 
too negative; and, yes, they are too long.
  We are going to have thousands--thousands--of candidates running for 
Congress. They are all going to be eligible for this match from the 
Treasury for any contribution under $200, with a 6-to-1 ratio, so we 
are going to have more money in politics, and we are not going to have 
the transparency that I think all of us want.
  If we are going to fix the problem, let's sit down; let's have 
regular order; let's have all the committees with some jurisdiction sit 
down and have Republicans and Democrats work together on a committee 
process that we can pass in a bipartisan vote that will get the 
attention of the Senate, and maybe we can do something about the 
problems today.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes), the one person who probably has worked harder 
than anyone else on this bill.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  Mr. Chair, last year, in the 2018 election, a powerful message was 
sent to this Congress that the public wants us to clean up our 
politics, fight corruption, unrig the system, and make sure that voting 
rights are protected.
  I think part of the reason the message was so strong is that, for the 
last 8 years under a Republican Congress, there has been no progress 
made on any of those priorities, so there is this pent-up demand out 
there among the public. They want their voice back. H.R. 1 is our 
opportunity to give them their voice back.
  The message they are sending is very simple. The first message is: 
Make it possible for us to get to the ballot box without running an 
obstacle course.
  It is inconceivable, it is incomprehensible, that more than 50 years 
after   John Lewis, our colleague, was bloodied on the Edmund Pettus 
Bridge protesting for voting rights, we still can't get it right in 
America when it comes to voting.
  That is ridiculous. We need to make it more possible to register and 
vote in this country so that people can get to the ballot box and their 
voices can be heard. That is one thing they are saying to us.
  The other thing they are saying to us is, when you get to Washington, 
if you are a lawmaker, if you serve in an office of public trust, 
behave yourself, abide by ethics, be accountable to the people, 
remember who sent you there, and be transparent. We have provisions in 
H.R. 1 that strengthen ethics and accountability, as we should.
  The third thing they said to us, loud and clear, was, when you get to 
Washington, don't get tangled up in the money, don't let the special 
interests and the insiders call the shots on priorities in Congress, 
remember who sent you, and fight for us. So we have measures in here to 
clean up the campaign finance system, create more disclosure, 
transparency, so we know where that secret money is coming from, 
building a new system of funding campaigns in America that is not owned 
by the special interests and the big money.
  The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Butterfield). The time of the gentleman has 
expired.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 1 minute to the 
gentleman from Maryland.
  Mr. SARBANES. Let's build a new system of funding campaigns in 
America that is not owned by the special interests and the big money 
and the insiders. Let's build a system that is owned by the American 
people, where they call the shots, where small donors can have their 
contributions matched so that their voice is amplified, so they are the 
ones who run the show, so candidates go to them and listen to what they 
have to say instead of hanging out with the lobbyists and the big-money 
crowd.
  That is what this bill offers.
  My colleagues on the other side keep talking about how this is going 
to be taxpayer money for this system. Find me the provision. There is 
no provision in this bill that says that any taxpayer money is going to 
go to this system, because it is not.
  We have come up with an elegant solution where we go to the 
lawbreakers, the people who are leaning on our system and breaking the 
law, and we ask them, with a small surcharge, to contribute to this 
fund. That is where the match will come from.
  We are going to the people who aren't playing fair with our system, 
and we are asking them to underwrite a clean election system. That is 
how it should work.
  Let's restore the voice of the people. Let's pass H.R. 1.

                              {time}  1530

  Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I appreciate the gentleman and the author of the bill and his 
comments. Are there some good ideas in this bill? Absolutely. The 
States already have them implemented. Early voting. Great idea. Georgia 
did that many years ago; even included Saturday voting.
  It is improper for the Federal Government to be the arbitrator of 
these, to push these down upon the American people. That is something 
that has been reserved for the States and the States have been doing 
those well.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Smucker).
  Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Chairman, Democrats have been marketing H.R. 1 as a 
necessary election reform measure, but the ugly truth is that this bill 
is not for the people. It is for the Democratic Party.
  The ugly truth is that this bill is a massive Federal overreach. The 
ugly truth is that this bill won't make our elections safer or more 
democratic. The ugly truth is that this bill would fundamentally change 
the principles of our election system, all at a cost to the average 
American taxpayer.
  And this bill would infringe on the rights of our colleges and 
universities, where so many students go to learn and grow, outside of 
the influence of politics.
  Instead of promoting the freedom of ideas, this bill limits the right 
to free speech. The ugly truth is this bill violates the U.S. 
Constitution, the document which makes our country so great.
  Instead of calling this bill the For the People Act, it should be 
called the ``Democrat Politician Protection Act.''
  This bill is nothing but a top-down power grab to take our election 
system, reverse it, and send it completely off course. Beyond that, 
this bill contains numerous provisions attempting to weaponize our 
institutions of higher learning, where people go to learn.
  H.R. 1 forces our colleges and universities to divert resources to 
election-related tasks, including provisions for colleges and 
universities to automatically register students to vote.
  Students could also establish a second residency, which is, 
essentially, another way of weakening the voting system and giving 
them, potentially, the right to vote not once, but twice. You heard 
that right. There are no other people in our country who get to be 
registered to vote in two locations. Under H.R. 1, this could be 
allowed.
  Article I, section 4 of our Constitution gives States the right to 
determine their own registration and voting practices, not our Federal 
Government.

[[Page H2399]]

This bill blatantly violates our own constitutional rights as well as 
the rights of our higher education institutions.
  The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Chairman, I yield the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
an additional 30 seconds.
  Mr. SMUCKER. As the Republican leader on the House Education and 
Labor, Higher Education and Workforce Investment Committee, we should 
be focusing on making colleges more affordable and helping more 
students complete their degrees, not subjecting them to electioneering 
efforts.
  I cannot support a Federal overreach into places where students 
should be free to learn without the influence of politics. We must 
reject this overreach. We must speak now and stand up against this 
power grab before it is too late.
  I will be voting against this measure, and I urge my colleagues to do 
the same.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Lee), a leader for civil rights and justice in our 
country.
  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairwoman 
Lofgren for yielding, but also for her tireless leadership on so many 
issues that confront our country today.
  I rise in strong support of H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019. 
It is a historic bill to restore the promise of our Nation's democracy 
and repair our democratic institutions. H.R. 1 represents a coordinated 
effort to protect and promote the voting rights of all Americans.
  H.R. 1 would also end the culture of corruption in Washington; reduce 
the role of big money in politics; and make it easier, not harder, to 
vote.
  Mr. Chairman, let me be clear. The right to vote is a sacred civil 
right in our Nation, but we know that there are those who want to turn 
the clock back on voting rights and suppress minority voters. There are 
those who want to undercut the power and representation of communities 
of color and, really, lock us out of the political process.
  With this historic bill before us we say, ``Enough is enough.'' 
Instead, H.R. 1 will ensure that every eligible voter has the chance to 
participate in our democracy.
  This bill also includes important provisions to ensure clean and fair 
elections. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill and vote 
``yes'' to restoring our democracy once and for all.
  Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I do want to commend my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for 
something that they have accomplished with H.R. 1, and that is unity, 
because this bill has brought the American Civil Liberties Union, 
National Right to Life, The Heritage Foundation, and the U.S. Chamber 
in unity in opposition to this bill, something that I thought I would 
never see happen here in Washington, D.C.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. 
Collins).
  Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I do appreciate that because I 
am very concerned, after two straight weeks of Democrat bills, I am 
going to have a 100 percent voting record with the ACLU. That is 
something new as we go forward here; although I think they do good 
work, I just didn't know we were going to agree so soon on this.

  Mr. Chairman, I am going to describe the terrible policy behind the 
provisions of H.R. 1 in the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee.
  It is amazing, also, that we just did this without going through, 
because we didn't want to mark this up in areas because we didn't want 
to see what was in it; because here is what is going to happen:
  First, the bill creates a private cause of action for lawsuits 
related to the Help America Vote Act of 2002. That means the bill 
allows anyone to sue anybody if they don't like the way an election was 
conducted in a locality, State, or nationwide.
  Do you all remember the lawsuit Bush v. Gore? In 2000, Democratic 
Presidential candidate Al Gore didn't like the results of the vote in 
Florida. If he could get the Florida results overturned, he would have 
had enough to win the Presidency. So he sued to get the Florida results 
overturned by a court. The case went all the way up to the Supreme 
Court which finally stopped the recount after a month of legal 
wrangling that made America look like its elections were determined by 
lawyers, not voters.
  Well, guess what? We are bringing them back. Here they come in, 
because under this bill today, you won't just see more cases like Gore 
v. Florida. You will see all sorts of lawsuits; Everybody v. Everybody.
  Does a candidate need 1,000 more votes to win? Then a candidate can 
sue in two or three counties and see if a judge will order those votes 
into their vote column.
  Does a candidate need a few more votes? Then under this bill, they 
could sue in a dozen counties. Need a million votes? This bill allows a 
losing candidate and disgruntled activists to sue in all 50 States: 
Gore v. Georgia, Gore v. Oklahoma, Gore versus any state that it takes 
to gather enough judicial relief to cobble together an election 
victory, taking time and money away from State and local elected 
officials who desperately need that money to administer free and fair 
elections; not pay bogus legal fees.
  The Help America Vote Act of 2002 was enacted to precisely avoid 
future lawsuits like Gore v. Florida. Now this bill will undo all that 
and make matters worse in the process.
  Second, this bill takes powers away from voters and gives it to 
convicted criminals by denying State voters their constitutional right 
to limit voting by people who have been convicted of murder, violent 
felonies, or other serious crimes including, by the way--get this--
voter fraud.
  These provisions are patently unconstitutional. The Supreme Court, 
including liberal Justices Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan, all 
held, just a few years ago, mind you, that:

       Surely nothing in the Elections Clause of the Constitution 
     lends itself to the view that voting qualifications in 
     Federal elections are to be set by Congress.

  Further, the 14th Amendment of the Constitution itself explicitly 
recognizes the rights of States to deny the vote for ``participation in 
crime.''
  Third, this is what happens when you bypass the committee process. I 
spoke about this one on the floor already last week. Here we go again. 
The new majority doesn't like committees.
  A provision in the bill, at page 99--listen to me clearly--lines 7-12 
of the Committee Print, states:

       No person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, 
     shall intentionally hinder, interfere with, or prevent 
     another from voting, registering to vote, or aiding another 
     person to vote in an election.

  That text, if read strictly, says it makes it illegal to prevent a 
four-year old from voting, to prevent an illegal alien from voting, and 
to prevent any other non-qualified person from voting. This same 
provision again appears in pages 102 and 103, and adds a criminal 
penalty of up to 5 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
  Now here is the problem. The problem is that provision I just quoted, 
doesn't refer to a person's exercising the right to vote; that is 
voting when they have a legal right to vote. The standard term used 
when a statutory provision is aimed at protecting legitimate voters 
from voting refers to the denial or abridgment of the right to vote.
  Now, listen, because this provision doesn't contain those key terms, 
meaning the provisions would literally make it illegal to prevent 
illegal voters from voting, we shouldn't be making it a crime--
  The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 30 
seconds to the gentleman from Georgia.
  Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. We shouldn't be making it a crime for 
election officials to do their job.
  Remember, we can't prevent illegal voters from voting under this 
bill, which makes it--they have no legal right to vote illegally.
  Every illegal voter cancels the vote of a legal voter. This was 
recognized in the Supreme Court case, Reynolds v. Sims and, in that 
case it was said:

       The right to vote can be denied by a debasement or dilution 
     of the weight of a citizen's vote just as effectively as by 
     wholly prohibiting the free exercise of that franchise.


[[Page H2400]]


  Look, an illegal vote negated the vote of a legal voter. This bill, 
my colleagues across the aisle, you are getting ready to vote for a 
bill that actually could negate legal voting.
  I could go on for days. This is why committees matter. This is why 
this bill is bad. Why do we keep doing this and running away.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Kilmer).
  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Chairman, I want to start by saying thank you to 
Congressman Sarbanes for his important work on leading this 
legislation.
  I am proud that we are bringing forward H.R. 1 to restore faith in 
the legislative branch, because right now Congress is less popular than 
head lice and colonoscopies. That is because every time my constituents 
see a bill that is written behind closed doors, or see a government 
shutdown, or see floor debate that looks like the Jerry Springer Show, 
they need to see a restoration of faith in government.

  This bill will protect voting rights, strengthen ethics rules, and 
reduce the role of big money politics. It will refresh our democracy; 
and that is why the new Democrat coalition has endorsed this bill.
  Listen, we don't talk enough about it. This bill includes bipartisan 
provisions in support of good government. It includes a bipartisan bill 
that I am leading, the Restoring Integrity to America's Elections Act, 
which would reform the Federal Election Commission, and enable it to 
weed out campaign finance abuse, and hold those who skirt the rules 
accountable.
  It includes the Honest Ads Act, my bipartisan bill.
  The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Ms. LOFGREN. I yield the gentleman from Washington an additional 30 
seconds.
  Mr. KILMER. It includes the Honest Ads Act, my bipartisan bill that 
would shine a light on the murky world of online political advertising 
by requiring digital ads to meet the same disclosure requirements as 
print or broadcast ads.
  Americans deserve to know who is paying for political ads that they 
see online. They deserve to know that the Nation's election watchdog is 
back on the beat. They deserve to have their voices heard in Congress 
again. That is why this bill is important. That is why I urge my 
colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr).
  Mr. BARR. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 1.
  This is my fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, and I 
can say, without reservation or equivocation, H.R. 1 is the single 
worst, most unsound, unconstitutional legislation that I have seen in 
my 6\1/2\ years in Congress.
  The bill federalizes elections in violation of basic constitutional 
principles, usurping States' primary authority over the conduct of 
elections, including Federal elections.
  The bill effectively legalizes voter fraud, and destroys the 
integrity of elections by degrading the accuracy of registration lists, 
ensuring duplicate registration and registration of ineligible voters.
  The bill unconstitutionally rations core free speech protected by the 
First Amendment by empowering a powerful partisan bureaucracy to impose 
onerous legal and administrative compliance burdens and costs on 
candidates, citizens, civic groups, and nonprofit organizations. These 
provisions violate the First Amendment; they protect incumbents; and 
they diminish the accountability of politicians to the public.
  And finally, worst of all, the bill gives welfare to politicians, 
coercing Americans to support candidates with whom they fundamentally 
disagree. This doesn't enhance democracy, the idea that we, the people 
establish a government based on the consent of the government. It 
corrupts democracy by taking away the fundamental right of the people 
to choose their own representatives, and giving it to a partisan 
election bureaucracy in Washington, D.C.
  Mr. Chairman, Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin once famously said:

       The people who cast the votes don't decide an election; the 
     people who count the votes do.

  H.R. 1 would ``Stalinize'' American elections by legalizing voter 
fraud, giving partisan election bureaucrats the power to ration free 
speech, and by coercing Americans to support candidates and causes with 
whom they fundamentally disagree.
  I urge everyone, for the sake of the First Amendment and for our 
Constitution, vote ``no.''
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Before yielding to the gentlewoman from Michigan, I would just like 
to quote one of the most conservative justices, who said that ``the 
public has an interest in knowing who is speaking about a candidate 
shortly before an election.'' That was in the Citizens United decision.

                              {time}  1545

  Now, I didn't agree with that decision, but the court posited that 
the solution to the dark money that they were unleashing on the country 
was disclosure, and that is what this bill does.
  Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. 
Tlaib).
  Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Chair, today I rise in support of H.R. 1, the For the 
People Act. H.R. 1 will restore our democracy.
  We need a comprehensive bill, Mr. Chairman, that takes action on what 
the people sent us to Congress to do: to work on their behalf and to 
ensure that government is truly for, by, and of the people; and we must 
demand it immediately.
  We know that today many people, especially those at home in my 
congressional district in the 13th, various communities of color across 
this country, continue to face voter disenfranchisement while trying to 
exercise their right to vote and make their voices heard. We must 
acknowledge this injustice and remedy it immediately.
  We need to have stricter rules, Mr. Chair, rules of conflict of 
interest when it comes to the offices of the President, the Vice 
President, and the appointees, including the reaffirmation of the 
requirement to divest in business interests. We do that with H.R. 1.
  I commend my colleagues for the additional language requiring both 
that language for the executive branch, trading individual stocks, and 
so forth.
  The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the 
gentlewoman.
  Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Chair, we can't allow our democracy to be tainted. We 
must demand that our government is stronger, more transparent, and more 
accessible for all of our Americans.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Meadows), my good friend.
  Mr. MEADOWS. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Chair, let's be clear: H.R. 1 takes money from hardworking 
American taxpayers and puts it straight in the pockets of politicians.
  Let me be abundantly clear: This bill that the Democrats have 
proposed provides taxpayer funding for Federal campaigns, Mr. Chair.
  By voting for this bill, the Democrats are voting to take the 
American hardworking taxpayers' money and actually give it back to be 
used for their own campaigns. By voting for this bill, the Democrats 
are saying, ``We deserve to stay elected.''
  This is a money grab for politicians. This unfairly benefits elected 
incumbents. It protects career politicians. Under the guise of campaign 
finance reform and dark money reform, this 600-page bill does nothing 
but fill the campaign coffers of people who have already been elected.
  Not only that, this bill now includes a tax stuck in last night as a 
manager's amendment in Rules. Yes, they are wanting to tax American 
citizens to make sure that they get reelected and put money back in 
their own campaign.
  Mr. Chair, if this is how the majority party believes that we are 
going to get transparency in Congress, it is not doing it. It is not 
living up to that.
  I find it even interesting, because it seems to trample on our First 
Amendment rights to speak freely and voluntarily participate in the 
process that we hold as a privilege of electing our elected leaders. To 
top it off, Mr. Chair,

[[Page H2401]]

they want you and every hardworking American taxpayer to pay for it.
  Now, I can see it coming up, because it is going to come very soon, 
and they may talk about all the wonderful virtues of this particular 
bill, but when they vote for it, they are actually voting to send 
taxpayer moneys to get me reelected. So I look for that endgame when we 
say: Democrats vote to give $3.5 million to reelect the Freedom Caucus 
chairman.
  I don't think that that is what America is all about.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, before I reserve, may I 
inquire as to how much time is remaining.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Illinois has 24 minutes 
remaining. The gentlewoman from California has 37\1/4\ minutes 
remaining.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, before yielding to the chairman of the Homeland 
Security Committee, I would just like to say that saying it is tax 
money does not make it so. We have prohibited appropriations into the 
freedom from influence fund. The total source of funding is a 2.75 
percent assessment on people who have committed tax crimes or corporate 
malfeasance.
  Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. 
Thompson), the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman 
from California for giving me the time.
  Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1. Last Congress, 
House Democrats sought to address Russia's meddling in the Presidential 
election. Unfortunately, the then-majority would not prioritize the 
issue, so Democrats formed a Congressional Task Force on Election 
Security, which I co-chaired.
  In February of 2018, after a series of public meetings with experts 
in national security, cybersecurity, and election administration, the 
task force released a report charting a course for how we could better 
protect our election infrastructure.
  I am pleased that H.R. 1 includes the Election Security Act, 
legislation I introduced to implement the task force's recommendation. 
Under the Election Security Act, States are provided surge funding to 
replace decades-old, outdated election equipment with more modern, 
secure technologies.
  Additionally, to move the Nation off the crisis-to-crisis model we 
have been on, it provides grants, ongoing maintenance, and security. It 
also improves transparency with election infrastructure vendors and 
provides cybersecurity training to election officials.

  Last month, at my committee's hearing on election security, some of 
my Republican colleagues balked at the bill's price tag. Mr. Chair, to 
put the bill's cost in context, the $1.8 billion provided here to 
secure our elections from the Russians and other foreign adversaries is 
half of what Congress provided in response to the hanging chads.
  For the sake of our democracy, we cannot leave State and local 
election officials to fend for themselves against sophisticated 
adversaries like Russia. We have to help.
  The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the 
gentleman.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Lofgren) for yielding.
  Mr. Chair, before I close, I would like to thank Speaker Pelosi, 
Chairwoman Lofgren, and Mr. Sarbanes for all the work they and their 
staffs have done to bring this important measure to the floor.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon).
  Mr. BACON. Mr. Chair, today I rise in opposition to this effort to 
conduct a hostile takeover of our elections by Washington, D.C.
  H.R. 1 is nothing less than an attempt by the majority party to 
federalize our election system, strip all authority from the States, 
and create government-funded political campaigns. All of this will 
increase the election system's vulnerability for fraud and restrict 
free speech.
  The legislation we consider today will have a long-lasting, 
devastating impact on our elections:
  H.R. 1 will create a 6-to-1 government match for all small donor 
contributions. This means government funds will be going to help pay 
for more campaigns, more TV, more radio ads. Americans will be 
compelled to bankroll candidates they don't support.
  My sister, a staunch Republican, shouldn't have to have her hard-
earned money go towards Democratic candidates. Her son, a staunch 
Democrat, shouldn't have his hard-earned money go towards a Republican.
  If H.R. 1 is to become law, it will place limits on freedom of 
speech, putting vague standards on groups who wish to advocate for any 
legislative issue. This is why even the ACLU does not support H.R. 1. 
And when the ACLU doesn't support a Democratic election bill, you know 
it is wrong.
  Our Nation was built on individuals advocating for their beliefs. It 
is our right to advocate the way we wish for a cause we believe in.
  If a survivor of domestic violence wishes to quietly donate to a 
cause dedicated to fighting domestic violence, should the Federal 
Government be able to come in and publicize their donation? In some 
States who have done this recently, we have seen donors of advocacy 
groups be harassed and chased out of their jobs.
  H.R. 1 is another example of the Democrats saying Washington knows 
best. Not one secretary of state was consulted in the drafting of this 
legislation. In the Constitution, our Founding Fathers give the 
authority to the States to regulate their own elections.
  Simply put, this is a power grab, a power grab by Democrats.
  Mr. Chair, for these reasons, I urge my colleagues to not support 
this legislation.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chair, before yielding to the gentleman from New Jersey, I would 
like to just address a couple of simple points.
  The DISCLOSE Act really pivots off the Supreme Court decision in 
Citizens United. And as they said in that decision: Disclaimer and 
disclosure requirements impose no ceiling on campaign-related 
activities and do not prevent anyone from speaking.
  Concern has been expressed about the ability to remain private. That 
is provided for in this bill. It is simple. If you don't want to be 
disclosed, note that your donation is not for campaign purposes, and 
you will not be disclosed.
  Further, there is an express protection provided for any donor who 
fears that they may face threat of harassment or reprisal. So we have 
thought of this, and this was dealt with in our markup.
  Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Pascrell).
  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, the legislation on the floor today 
contains within it the Presidential Tax Transparency Act, a bill that I 
lead with our prime sponsor, Representative Anna Eshoo from California. 
This legislation requires sitting Presidents as well as future 
Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates to release 10 years of 
their tax returns.
  The manager's amendment is right to add disclosure of returns of any 
business in which the candidate is a prime owner.
  These commonsense transparency measures will codify into law the 
precedence of Presidential candidates releasing their tax returns, a 
precedent that goes back to Richard Nixon.
  President Trump broke with more than 40 years of this precedent when 
he declined to release his tax returns, despite promising to release 
them. He has yet to do so, and recent polls show 64 percent of 
Americans support their release.
  Thanks to the Oversight Committee, we now have on-the-record 
testimony in evidence that this President may have committed crimes as 
President. Michael Cohen received reimbursement for illegal campaign 
contributions from Trump directly. If President Trump wrote these 
payments off as a business expense, that would constitute fraud, and 
his returns will show that.
  In addition, The Trump Organization allegedly inflated their revenue 
in financial documents to obtain loans. The business' tax returns would 
show whether their profits were accurate or if they filed fraudulent 
documents.

[[Page H2402]]

  The President's conflicts of interest and finances must be 
investigated.
  With H.R. 1, we are setting down a marker that we expect standards of 
ethics and transparency for all Presidents going forward. With norms 
and precedents being shattered daily, Congress must codify certain 
norms into law. The law is on our side, 6103.
  The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the 
gentleman from New Jersey.
  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chair, I support H.R. 1 for taking needed steps to 
get dark money and foreign money out of our politics; restore voting 
rights that are under assault in States around the country; improve our 
election security, as you heard the last gentleman say, Bennie 
Thompson; and restore integrity to our democratic process.
  In too many States, the clock is turning back on voting rights and 
election integrity. Voter suppression has become a scourge in our 
democracy. For anybody to deny it on this floor, they haven't been in 
the country.
  Mr. Chair, these reforms are long overdue. I urge my colleagues to 
vote ``yes.''
  The Acting CHAIR. Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in 
personalities toward the President.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock).
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Chairman, consent of the governed is the cornerstone of our 
democracy. In America, the people are sovereign, and we govern through 
the votes that we cast. At the very core of this process are fair and 
free elections.
  Every citizen should be free to express themselves and to vote, and 
no citizen should ever be muzzled or have their legitimate vote 
canceled out by a fraudulent one.

                              {time}  1600

  By definition, one side is always going to be disappointed with the 
outcome. That is why it is essential that both sides are confident that 
they were treated fairly.
  Democracies die when one party seizes control of the elections 
process, eliminates the safeguards that have protected the integrity of 
the ballot, places restrictions on free speech, and seizes the earnings 
of individual citizens to promote candidates that they may abhor.
  That is precisely what this bill does today. It destroys the 
bipartisan composition of the Federal Election Commission and places a 
partisan majority in control of every aspect of our Federal elections. 
It imposes limits on free speech, and that has earned the opposition of 
the American Civil Liberties Union. It matches a contribution of $200 
given to a candidate with $1,200 taken from others who may oppose that 
candidate.
  Worst of all, it undermines the integrity of the ballot and opens the 
floodgates to fraud. The purpose of registration periods is to allow 
parties to canvass the rolls and challenge improper registrations, 
while ensuring candidates know exactly who is going to be voting.
  The reason we require election day voting at a polling place is to 
ensure voters cast their ballots in secret after they have heard the 
entire debate and after verifying their identity to their neighbors. 
This bill sweeps away these few remaining vestiges of ballot integrity.
  Democracies die by suicide, and we are now face-to-face with such an 
instrument.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I am honored to yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman).
  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding to me.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 1, the For the People 
Act.
  America is not a democracy if we don't protect the right to vote. We 
should be expanding voter rolls and making every single American voice 
heard at the ballot box, and that includes currently and previously 
incarcerated Americans. A mistake made and paid for should not strip 
your constitutional rights and silence you for life.
  I offered an amendment to this bill that would have included those 
Americans in our democracy, however, I have withdrawn that amendment at 
this time. I will continue to work with my colleagues to fight for re-
enfranchisement for these Americans.
  Mr. Chairman, I close by noting that this bill represents a paradigm 
shift in our approach to voting rights, and it is a reflection of the 
priorities of Democratic leadership in this body. It is long overdue 
and exactly the type of legislation that went overlooked until 
Democrats retook this Chamber.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge all my colleagues to support our democracy by 
voting for its passage.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, it gives me great 
pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. 
Scalise), the most courageous Member of Congress that I know, the man 
who bleeds tiger blood.
  Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague from Illinois for 
those kind comments. Go Tigers.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this bill that instead 
of being called For the People Act should be called ``For the 
Politicians Act.'' Let's take a look at some of the provisions of this 
bill that involve a Federal takeover of the elections process.
  First of all, section 5111 of the bill will allow billions of dollars 
of taxpayer money to be funneled into political campaign accounts. That 
is your hard-earned dollars, in many cases, going to fund a candidate 
for office that you oppose. Think about that.
  Now let's look at section 1402 of this bill, Mr. Chairman, where they 
allow felons to vote. Let's take, for example, a State that might have 
a law against felons voting, heavily debated in the State, where they 
are allowed that ability to set their laws enshrined by the 
Constitution. Here comes the Federal Government telling a State, for 
example, that if somebody went to Federal prison for voter fraud, they 
now have to let them be involved in the political process and vote, 
even though their own State law prohibits that person who was a felon 
for voter fraud.
  One thing we can't even get an answer on--and there are many, 
unfortunately--we can't even get an answer on the cost of this bill. 
Many estimates are that it will be billions of dollars, but nobody can 
truly tell you because they continue to make changes after changes 
without even going through the normal committee process that should 
have been done.
  If you look at the felons who can vote, think, for example, Mr. 
Chairman, a State--and many States have laws against felons who are 
child molesters from going into public schools. In many places, the 
polling location is a school. Under this bill, if someone who is 
convicted as a felon of molesting children and is banned by that State 
from going into the school, if they show up on election day, now, under 
this law, they have a hall pass. They can go into the school because of 
this new Federal law where the State said that child molester shouldn't 
be allowed in the school.
  Again, it goes on and on, the kinds of things you can't even get 
clear answers on.
  What would the cost be? Because they tell you the felons would be 
able to vote in the Federal election, but if your State law says they 
can't vote, then you have to have multiple ballots. If somebody shows 
up to vote, the State is going to have to try to figure this out at 
what cost to the State, not only the billions it costs the taxpayers?
  This bill enshrines voter fraud in so many different places. Many 
States have voter integrity laws to make sure that the person who votes 
is the person who is the name on the roll. This says you don't even 
have to have an ID if the State has a voter ID law. You can show up and 
just sign your name. You can say this is who I am, and you can vote. 
The Federal law overrides the State law in this case.

  The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 30 
seconds to the gentleman from Louisiana.
  Mr. SCALISE. Finally, I would like to talk about the constitutional 
infringements. And don't take it from me. Let's take groups as 
divergent as the ACLU and National Right to Life that all cite serious 
First Amendment concerns.
  ACLU says provisions ``unconstitutionally impinge on the free speech

[[Page H2403]]

rights of American citizens and public interest organizations.''
  National Right to Life: Enactment of H.R. 1 ``would not be a curb on 
corruption, but itself a type of corruption, an abuse of the lawmaking 
power, by which incumbent lawmakers employ the threat of criminal 
sanctions . . . to reduce the amount of private speech regarding the 
actions of the lawmakers themselves.''
  This is a bad bill. It ought to be rejected.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, how much time remains on both sides?
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from California has 30\1/4\ minutes 
remaining. The gentleman from Illinois has 16\1/2\ minutes remaining.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
New Mexico (Ms. Haaland).
  Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 1 because 
I want America to live up to its democratic principles, and that means 
having a government that really is for the people and not just for 
those with the means. This bill is about ensuring that all voters, 
regardless of ZIP Code, race, or party, can participate in our 
democracy.
  I am proud that H.R. 1 includes a bill I introduced, the Same-Day 
Voter Registration Act, which will increase access to the ballot box 
across the country.
  Same-day registration already exists in 17 States and the District of 
Columbia. In those locations, more people, not fewer, participate in 
elections.
  I spent nearly two decades organizing to make sure New Mexicans, 
including those in Indian Country and in rural America, have access to 
our democracy.
  This commonsense provision gets rid of arbitrary registration 
deadlines, which often fall long before the real time needed to process 
voter registration applications. Same-day voter registration is one of 
many provisions in H.R. 1 that will make elections more accessible.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, this has been a long 
debate. I am enjoying the discussion, enjoying the debate. This is why 
we all came here to Washington.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Jordan), my good friend.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Chairman, it is bad enough that this bill is going to tell States 
how to run elections, bad enough this bill is going to require 
taxpayers to finance the elections of politicians who created the swamp 
so they can get back to the swamp, but what is most egregious about 
this legislation is the attack on free speech.
  As the whip mentioned, the ACLU has said we should vote no on this 
bill because it unconstitutionally burdens free speech and association 
rights. Let me tell you how it does it. It uses our old friend the IRS.
  Remember just a few years ago the IRS systematically targeted people 
for their political beliefs. They went after conservatives.
  Now think about your First Amendment liberties, your right to 
practice your faith the way you want to, the right to assemble, the 
right to petition your government, freedom of the press.
  What is the most fundamental liberty we have under the First 
Amendment? Your right to speak and particularly to speak in a political 
fashion, a political nature. That is what the IRS went after.
  This bill does this. It gets rid of the schedule B protections that 
are currently in law. It says the reason the protection of schedule B 
information is important has nothing to do with vast conspiracies on 
the right or left related to so-called dark money. Rather, it dates 
back to the Supreme Court's 1958 decision NAACP v. Alabama. The Supreme 
Court formally recognized First Amendment protection of the freedom of 
association that prevented the NAACP from being compelled to turn over 
information about its members.
  What this bill will do today is, when this information has been 
leaked, as it has already, everyday Americans will continue to receive 
death threats, mail containing white powder, all because someone 
disagrees with what they believe.
  This bill should be defeated for one simple reason: It attacks our 
First Amendment liberties, our most sacred rights. This bill goes after 
it. That is why we should vote it down, and that is why I urge a ``no'' 
vote.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, it is my honor to yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), the chairman of the House 
Oversight and Reform Committee.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1, the 
For the People Act.
  Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend, Congressman   John Sarbanes, for his 
vision and for his tenacity in introducing this bold and historic 
reform package. He has given his blood, his sweat, and his tears, and I 
thank him.
  This sweeping legislation would clean up corruption in government, 
fight secret money in politics, and make it easier for American 
citizens across our great country to vote.
  I have heard this bill dismissed as a ``power grab.'' In fact, it is 
a power restoration. H.R. 1 would restore power to the American people 
and break the hold of special interests.
  For example, title VIII includes a bill that I introduced, the 
Executive Branch Ethics Reform Act, which would ban senior officials 
from accepting bonuses and other payments from private-sector employers 
in exchange for their government service.

  H.R. 1 would have prevented Gary Cohn, President Trump's former 
economic adviser, from receiving more than $100 million in accelerated 
payments from Goldman Sachs when he left to lead the Trump 
administration's efforts to slash corporate taxes.
  Title VIII also includes another bill that I introduced, the 
Transition Team Ethics Improvement Act. This legislation would require 
Presidential transition teams to disclose to Congress the team members 
they submit to receive security clearances and which team members 
receive security clearances.
  This legislation also would require transition teams to have ethics 
plans in place and to publicly disclose those plans.
  H.R. 1 gives people the power to freely exercise their right to vote. 
I have said quite often that when my mother died, at 92 years old, her 
last words were not, ``Elijah, I love you.'' This former sharecropper, 
her last words were: Elijah, don't let them take away our right to 
vote.
  I believe that we should be doing everything in our power to make it 
easier, not harder, for American citizens to exercise their 
constitutional right.
  Unfortunately, some oppose our efforts. They think we should make 
voting more difficult by cutting back on early voting, eliminating 
polling places, and taking other steps to reduce the number of people 
who do vote.

                              {time}  1615

  In some cases, they have even engaged in illegal efforts to suppress 
the vote and target minority communities. Just look at what happened in 
North Carolina.
  In 2013, State legislators requested data broken down by race on how 
residents engaged in a number of voting practices. They then used that 
data to enact legislation that restricted voting and voter registration 
in five different ways that disproportionately affected African 
Americans.
  You do not have to take my word. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals 
found that this legislation was enacted with discriminatory intent. In 
fact, the Fourth Circuit said that in North Carolina legislation 
targeted African Americans with--they said this--``almost surgical 
precision.''
  We are better than that.
  In Georgia, we saw actions just last year by officials to remove 
people from the voter rolls and prevent them from registering in the 
first place. H.R. 1 would establish procedures to automatically 
register people to vote, extend early voting, absentee voting, and give 
additional funding to States to maintain polling sites so that they can 
do their job.
  This legislation would help make it easier for hardworking Americans 
to find the time to vote by making election day a Federal holiday and 
encouraging the private sector to follow suit.
  Federal court after Federal court, there are ongoing efforts to stop 
people from voting. So I will fight until my death to make sure that 
every citizen, whether they be Republican, Democrat, Independent, Green 
Party, or whatever, has the right to vote.

[[Page H2404]]

  The American people gave this Congress a mandate to restore our 
democracy, and we will clean it up.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlemen from Florida (Mr. Posey), my good friend.
  Mr. POSEY. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding the 
opportunity to speak about H.R. 1.
  You have heard it called the ``Welfare for Politicians Act''; you 
have heard it called the ``Democrat Politician Protection Act''; and 
you have heard it called a very partisan proposal to hijack elections. 
I think it may be all those things.
  Historically, elections are based on three principles: number one is 
fairness to everybody who votes, number two is that every vote counts, 
and number three is that every voter should have the assurance or the 
confidence that their vote was counted equally and was not compromised 
in one way or the other. This bill does none of those things. If it 
did, and if it was at all fair, it would have bipartisan support.
  In 2000, after the contentious election between Bush and Gore, I was 
chairman of the elections committee in the Florida Senate and charged 
with reforming the election laws.
  Working with the minority leader at the time, Steve Geller, we did 
some historic things. We pioneered the provisional ballot. We pioneered 
early voting. We got rid of punch cards and went to precinct-based 
optical scanners that they said would cost Republicans 100,000 votes 
statewide. It seems like the Republicans knew how to vote and the other 
side didn't.
  We did those things because it was fair and it was the right thing to 
do. And as a result, for the past 19 years, our elections have worked 
very well down there, except for two counties, very highly partisan 
counties who didn't follow the rules.
  The measure of credibility for election bills is whether or not you 
have bipartisan support. Our legislation passed nearly unanimously, if 
not unanimously. Here, this is very one-sided. It is not fair. If it 
were fair, you would have a lot of support from this side.
  And so I am for the other side to try and consider fairness a little 
bit in this process so we don't go from one regime to another, back and 
forth with election law that is not stable, is not good for the voters, 
is not good for the United States of America.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from the 
District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Chair, I thank my friend for yielding.
  There is a reason that this bill is H.R. 1. It shows that we are not 
there yet in building a more perfect democracy. Nothing illustrates 
that better than H.R. 1's findings on D.C. statehood. These findings 
document the District's long adherence to all the qualifications for 
statehood.
  Since the founding of the Republic, serving in all the Nation's wars, 
paying Federal income taxes--in fact, leading the country, per capita, 
in Federal income taxes paid today--if anything, H.R. 1's findings show 
that the District is overqualified for statehood--witness the $2.8 
billion surplus and its population larger than that of two States.
  Yesterday marked 200 cosponsors for our D.C. statehood bill. Today, 
passage of H.R. 1 would set a historic milestone, marking the first 
vote for the necessity for D.C. statehood in the 218 years the District 
has been the capital of the Nation.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, it is with great pleasure I 
get a chance to introduce my good friend, whom I have known for a very 
long time from Illinois.
  Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Bost), and I would like to ask him to throw his papers in the air and 
hit them when he is done with his speech, too.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I think the 
papers will remain on the table.
  Mr. Chair, Speaker Pelosi said she wants to get money out of 
politics. She said she wants free speech. But this sham puts more money 
into politics. It doesn't offer free speech; it offers forced speech.
  In fact, for every dollar contributed to a candidate, the American 
taxpayer will be forced to contribute 6.
  Now, let me say that again. For every dollar that is contributed to a 
candidate, an American taxpayer will be forced to contribute 6.
  You heard it right, a 6-to-1 match, whether you support a candidate 
or not, whether you support their positions on life, the Second 
Amendment, immigration, taxes, or anything else--6 to 1.
  The bill would also require same-day registration, nationwide. States 
already have the right to determine for themselves if they want same-
day registration. My home State of Illinois has it. But with it, can 
come challenges in ensuring the accuracy of a voter's registration 
information.
  I believe that every single legitimate vote needs to be counted--
every single legitimate vote--but it must be a single vote. And we are 
not just talking about one State. Multiply that by 50.
  Without proper safeguards, my colleagues are leaving the States less 
capable of managing their voter systems. That is a big problem. This is 
a bad bill.
  Mr. Chair, I urge the House to vote ``no.''
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes), the prime author of this bill.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for 
all her hard work on this bill.
  I am concerned that there is a collective delirium that seems to have 
infected part of this Chamber. I keep hearing our colleagues on the 
other side say that the public financing system, the 6-to-1 matching 
system that we want to set up, is taxpayer funded.
  Hear this: It is not taxpayer funded. It is not taxpayer funded. It 
is not taxpayer funded.
  It is lawbreaker funded.
  We are setting up a fund, called the freedom from influence fund, 
because we don't want the big money and the special interests to 
exercise influence in our campaigns anymore.
  The freedom from influence fund will be filled with dollars that come 
from putting a surcharge, an assessment, on people who break the law: 
corporations who have engaged in criminal activity or are subject to 
civil penalties. Corporate malfeasance, that is where the dollars will 
come from. The people who are breaking the law, they are going to fund 
the freedom from influence account that will be there to match small 
donations.
  Now, let me tell you why it is so important that small donors be the 
ones that have the power.
  If you are a candidate and you have to raise money for your campaign, 
right now, in order to raise the money you need, you have to go to the 
deep pocket and the PACs and the lobbyists.
  And here is what happens: You start to think like the company you 
keep. So if you are hanging around with those folks because that is 
where you are raising your money, you are going to start putting their 
priorities first, not the public's priorities.
  But if we have a 6-to-1 matching system funded by lawbreakers, not 
taxpayers----
  The ACTING CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I yield the gentleman from Maryland an 
additional 1 minute.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Chair, if we have a matching system that gives 
power to small donors, now the candidate is going to say: If I want to 
raise money from my campaign and power my campaign, I am going to go 
spend time with real people in my district. I am going to go to a house 
party where somebody can give $25 or $50, and then that 6-to-1 match 
will come in and I can power my campaign.
  So instead of hanging out with the lobbyists on K Street or with the 
big money donors or with the PACs and super-PACs, I am going to spend 
time with people in my district. They are going to tell me what their 
priorities are, and then I am going to go to Washington and I am going 
to fight for them.
  That is why we are creating this system: to take power away from the 
PACs and the big money and the insiders who are calling the shots now 
and give it back to the people. That is why this bill is called the For 
the People Act.
  So let's restore their voice, give them back the power that they 
deserve, and give them their rightful ownership of their own democracy.

[[Page H2405]]

  Mr. Chair, let's support H.R. 1.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, it is great to have the 
author of the bill here on the floor.
  I guess if I had a chance to ask a question, it would be why, then, 
was this new corporate malfeasance fund put in the manager's amendment 
that was given to me 30 minutes before our Rules testimony last night?
  There are many concerns with this bill, and a lot of those concerns 
hinge upon this 6-to-1 matching program that, in the end, is a new 
mandatory spending program that will have to be funded, have to be 
funded by the taxpayers to make up the difference if corporate money 
that is now going to be used--that we can't take right now as 
congressional candidates--is going to be used to fill the coffers of 
the campaigns that this author talked about.
  I had no idea that the Democrats' solution to getting corporate money 
out of politics was to put more corporate money into campaign coffers 
of every Member of Congress. It doesn't make sense to me, which is why 
this bill doesn't make sense to me.

  Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. 
Biggs), my good friend.
  Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rodney 
Davis) for yielding me time.
  Let me just tell you that this really is a monstrosity of a bill, the 
``Democratic Politician Protection Act.''
  You see, H.R. 1 was referred to 10 committees, but only one marked it 
up; 100 pages of this bill fell within the jurisdiction of the 
Judiciary Committee. We had a hearing but we didn't get to mark it up, 
which I think was designed--who knows why it was designed, but we 
couldn't expose all the flaws of this bill.
  Let me talk about two of them right now, because these both are 
patterned after the Arizona law, oddly enough.
  The Independent Arizona Redistricting Commission in Arizona, passed 
by the voters, upheld by the United States Supreme Court, and guess 
what. We are not going to qualify under this bill.
  That redistricting commission produced, actually, a Democratic 
majority, so we have a blue majority in the house now. But I tell you 
what, the registration numbers all were for the red, but the IRC in 
Arizona changed that.
  But guess what. Under this bill, it is not good enough. It is going 
to be taken out of the hands of the State and put in the hands of the 
Federal Government.

                              {time}  1630

  That is a violation of the Constitution and the spirit of electoral 
law and redistricting throughout the country.
  Let me talk about this, having heard now that this is going to be not 
from taxpayers but from lawbreakers who are going to fund this.
  Arizona has something called the Citizens Clean Elections Commission. 
I was there when that came out, funded ostensibly by lawbreakers who, 
oddly enough, are taxpayers. They are taxpayers. And guess what else? 
Arizona's courts have said they are taxpayers and that the whole scheme 
was problematic.
  That is what is happening with this particular bill. It is rife with 
problems throughout, but these two problems really are dilatory to this 
bill. I urge Members to vote ``no.''
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Palmer).
  Mr. PALMER. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 1 is yet another case of Democrats 
attempting a power grab from the States with no regard for the 
Constitution and States' powers. The bill completely disregards the 
fact that most States have successfully adopted their own process for a 
fair and honest and constitutional election.
  Thirty-eight States, including my home State of Alabama, have already 
implemented some type of online voter registration, most with 
safeguards to protect against fraud. Each State is different and has 
unique circumstances and challenges that only the State and local 
legislators can effectively address.
  For instance, in Alabama, where we require voter identification, our 
election officials recognize the rural nature of the State and have 
taken steps to ensure that every person has a form of ID, which is 
required to vote.
  Alabama accepts seven different types of ID, including a student or 
employee ID. They can get a voter ID card for free. The State even goes 
so far as to have a mobile ID unit that will pick people up and take 
them to an ID center at no expense.
  That is why a Federal judge recently threw out a lawsuit against the 
ID law because, in the judge's words: There is no person who is 
qualified to register to vote who cannot get a photo ID.
  One of the most important requirements for eligibility to vote is 
citizenship. H.R. 1 requires States to maintain online voter 
registration with no safeguards. They can simply upload an electronic 
signature without any validation through a DMV database.
  Many officials from States that have implemented online voter 
registration will tell you that a huge obstacle is cybersecurity. Any 
time parts of the process are connected to the internet, it opens it up 
to hacking attempts.
  My Democratic colleagues have spent the better part of 2 years 
alleging there was Russian influence on the 2016 election. Now they 
want to invite China to the party? What about Iran and North Korea?
  Just this week, FBI Director Wray was asked if China's digital threat 
was overblown. He responded: There is nothing like it.
  Voter fraud and registration fraud are real threats to elections.
  The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 30 
seconds to the gentleman from Alabama.
  Mr. PALMER. Mr. Chairman, the Texas Attorney General recently 
indicted four people as part of a vote fraud ring funded by the Texas 
Democratic Party. Under the new automatic registration scheme in 
California, they admitted to registering 25,000 ineligible voters, 
including noncitizens. This bill even allows felons to register to 
vote, even those who are felons for voter fraud.
  Each State is unique, with their own circumstances and challenges. 
Elections are a State matter, not a Federal matter. We should continue 
to allow the States to act on their own and implement policies that 
work best for their State rather than cede the fundamental base of our 
liberty: our right to choose our leaders in honest and fair elections.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chair, I just want to make a couple of observations and perhaps 
corrections.
  It has been alleged that somehow the assessment on tax crimes and 
corporate malfeasance has been transformed into taxpayer money--I think 
that is clearly incorrect--but that if the money is insufficient, then 
the taxpayers would be on the hook.
  When we marked up the bill in the House Administration Committee, we 
outlined how the money would be reduced if there were not enough money 
in the fund; and in section 5101(f)(3), it talks about mandatory 
reductions of payments in the voucher program. In 541(d)(2), it talks 
about mandatory reductions in the congressional program and 
Presidential and so on, if there were insufficient funds.
  So there is no way under the terms of this bill that the taxpayers 
could ever be on the hook for these funds, and I think it is important 
to know that.
  I want to talk a little bit about the concern about free speech.
  I am an advocate of free speech. I think we all are and honor our 
Constitution here in the House of Representatives. But the ACLU has a 
storied history of litigating constitutional issues. They have done 
good work, but we have differed on our approach to campaign finance 
law, particularly on how to shine a light on secret, dark money in 
elections.
  The ACLU has opposed applying disclosure laws to organizations 
spending money on electioneering communications, which are paid ads 
that mention candidates in the days leading up to the election.
  As we have mentioned earlier, the Court, in Citizens United, said the 
public has an interest in knowing who is speaking about a candidate 
before an election and pointed out that disclosure does not prevent 
speech. I think that is one of the reasons why we have

[[Page H2406]]

gotten a marvelous letter from the National Association for the 
Advancement of Colored People, the NAACP, which I include in the 
Record.
                                      National Association for the


                                Advancement of Colored People,

                                    Washington, DC, March 4, 2019.
     Re NAACP strong support for H.R. 1, legislation to greatly 
         improve and expand the democratic voting process

     Hon. U.S. House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative: On behalf of the NAACP, our nation's 
     oldest, largest and most widely-recognized grassroots-based 
     civil rights organization, I would like to urge you, in the 
     strongest terms possible to support through passage H.R. 1 
     and to oppose any weakening amendments. This legislation will 
     expand Americans' access to the ballot box, reduce the 
     discriminatory influence of big money in politics, prevent 
     voter fraud, and strengthen ethics rules and accountability 
     for public servants. H.R. 1 is supported and celebrated by 
     the NAACP: since our founding in 1909, free and unfettered 
     access to the ballot for all eligible Americans, and the 
     assurance that our vote has been counted, has been a critical 
     driver behind all that we do.
       H.R. 1 represents a coordinated effort to protect and 
     promote the voting rights of all Americans. This vital 
     legislation includes many of the tools the NAACP has 
     identified throughout our nation as improving voter turn-out 
     and successful voter participation: it includes provisions to 
     establish on-line and automatic voter registration. H.R. 1 
     would require early voting in all states; voting would have 
     to start at least 15 days before an election, including 
     weekends. H.R. 1 would require same-day voter registration on 
     election-day and during early voting. Under a provision in 
     H.R. 1, states would be prohibited from restricting an 
     individuals' ability to vote by mail. H.R. 1 would require 
     that ``provisional ballots'' be counted and provides 
     assistance to states and localities in improving the 
     provisional ballot process. The measure would prohibit voter 
     caging, voter deception and voter intimidation. H.R. 1 also 
     promotes voter registration via the internet and establishes 
     a strict code of ethics for all federally elected and 
     appointed officials, including the President, the Vice 
     President, his cabinet, and every Member of Congress, so we 
     are not constantly distracted by the ``scandal of the day.''
       H.R. 1 would also re-enfranchise ex-felony offenders who 
     have served their sentence and have been released from 
     prison. Because voting is such an integral part of being a 
     productive member of American society, the NAACP has 
     advocated strongly to allow felons who are no longer 
     incarcerated to reintegrate themselves into society and vote 
     in federal elections.
       H.R. 1 also begins to fix the damage done to the crucial 
     1965 Voting Rights Act by the US Supreme Court decision in 
     Shelby v. Holder. The legislation specifically states that 
     Congress is committed to reversing the effects of the 2013 
     Supreme Court decision which effectively invalidated a 
     requirement that certain states and jurisdictions receive 
     federal preclearance on changes to voting procedures. Prior 
     to the Shelby decision preclearance was required for states 
     and local jurisdictions that had a history of voter 
     discrimination.
       The measure would state that Congress should respond by 
     modernizing the electoral system to improve access to the 
     ballot, enhance voting integrity and security, ensure greater 
     accountability, and restore protections for voters. Finally, 
     but no less importantly, H.R. 1 contains strong provisions to 
     bring about genuine campaign finance reform measures which 
     will withstand the scrutiny of the Courts.
       The NAACP strongly supports H.R. 1. This is not a partisan 
     issue: the right to vote should be supported by all Americans 
     who believe in democracy. We should be making voting and 
     involvement in the democratic process easier, not throwing up 
     barriers which may seem insurmountable to whole groups of 
     eligible voters. Should you have any questions or comments, 
     please do not hesitate to contact me at my office.
           Sincerely,
     Hilary O. Shelton,
       Director, NAACP Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President 
     for Policy and Advocacy.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I will not read the entire letter, but it 
does say this:
  ``Dear Representative,
  ``On behalf of the NAACP, our nation's oldest, largest, and most 
widely-recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization, I would 
like to urge you, in the strongest terms possible, to support through 
passage H.R. 1 and to oppose any weakening amendments.''
  It goes on to say: ``This legislation will expand Americans' access 
to the ballot box, reduce the discriminatory influence of big money in 
politics, prevent voter fraud, and strengthen ethics rules and 
accountability for public servants. H.R. 1 is supported and celebrated 
by the NAACP.''
  I would urge us to support this bill and listen to the advice that we 
have received from the NAACP on this, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, it is interesting, my 
colleague, Chairperson Lofgren, mentioned the NAACP, because the next 
gentleman that I am going to introduce, he and I both share 
Springfield, Illinois, which is known, after the 1908 race riots, to be 
somewhat of the birthplace of the NAACP.
  Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
LaHood), my good friend.
  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my colleague, Congressman 
Rodney Davis, my good friend, for his strong leadership on this bill 
and his strong leadership on the Committee on House Administration for 
leading the way on this.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise today strongly opposed to H.R. 1. Among the 
numerous, egregious provisions of H.R. 1, I am here to shed light on 
one proposal that has increased vulnerabilities in our election system 
in our home State of Illinois.
  Under H.R. 1, Democrats are proposing a blanket, nationwide mandate 
for States to adopt same-day registration practices with no safeguards. 
Once again, my colleagues across the aisle are advocating a Big 
Government solution, but, in fact, they are threatening the integrity 
of our elections at every level of government.
  Coming from Illinois where same-day registration and other lax 
election laws have been passed by our Democrat-controlled legislature, 
uncertainty has followed. The practice of same-day registration has 
caused confusion for our election administrators and has opened the 
door to fraud.
  Under same-day registration in Illinois, an individual can arrive at 
their polling place with a copy of their utility bill and cast a full 
ballot without being fully verified thanks to same-day registration.
  Election officials are having difficulty verifying residents in a 
timely manner, particularly on college campuses where students have 
been told that they can use a receipt from Jimmy John's sub shop to 
confirm their voting domicile.
  Under H.R. 1, these vulnerabilities and problems will be seen across 
the country and exacerbated by provisions that will allow individuals 
to use sworn statements in place of government IDs when registering to 
vote.
  H.R. 1 fails to address issues our States and others have seen with 
same-day registration. We need stricter standards for same-day 
registration, but H.R. 1 fails to provide any sufficient enforcement 
mechanisms to verify voter registration.
  The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 30 
seconds to the gentleman from Illinois.
  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Chairman, furthermore, H.R. 1 fails to deter bad 
actors from taking advantage of the system by not criminalizing 
fraudulent registrations.
  Mr. Chairman, Republicans want more registered voters. We want more 
Americans to fulfill their civic duty, but we can't simply push 
legislation that jeopardizes the integrity of our election process and 
potentially undermines our democracy.
  H.R. 1 unconstitutionally mandates a one-size-fits-all Federal 
approach to voter registration, fails to adequately address 
vulnerabilities in our registration system, weaponizes the Federal 
Election Commission, and, as the left-leaning ACLU says, infringes on 
Americans' free speech right.
  I strongly urge a ``no'' vote.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Pelosi), the Speaker of the House, representing San 
Francisco.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I 
commend her and congratulate her on her success in bringing this 
important legislation to the floor of the House.
  I want to salute our colleague from Maryland, Congressman   John 
Sarbanes, for being a relentless and persistent advocate, for honoring 
the Constitution of the United States and giving people confidence that 
their voice and their vote count as much as anyone's in this country.
  That is what H.R. 1 is about: giving people confidence that we can do 
what we say without the influence of big,

[[Page H2407]]

dark, special interest money weighing in on the process.
  Our Constitution, Mr. Chairman, as you know, begins, ``We the 
people,'' a beautiful statement of purpose for our Nation. ``We the 
people.''
  Our Founders envisioned a government that would work for the people, 
serving the people's interests, fighting for their aspirations, hopes, 
and dreams.
  We have a responsibility to honor that vision of our Founders, 
honoring our oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the United 
States, honoring the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform for the 
sacrifices that they make for our freedom and freedom throughout the 
world, and worthy of the aspirations of our children. We can only do 
this if we have a government that is committed to transparency, to as 
much bipartisanship as possible, and to being unifying for our country.
  In the election, the American people voted for just that. They voted 
for a Congress that would restore transparency, bipartisanship, and 
unity and be unifying in Washington, D.C., so that the government would 
again--I can't say it enough--work for the people.

  On day one, reflecting the priorities of our outstanding freshman 
class, our new Democratic majority honored the people's trust by 
introducing H.R. 1, the For the People Act.
  Again, let me salute Congressman   John Sarbanes, the chair of our 
Democracy Reform Task Force, who was the godfather of this bill.
  Today, we are proud to be bringing this transformative legislation to 
the floor of the House. H.R. 1--and it is H.R. 1 because it is of 
primary importance--restores the people's faith that government will 
work for the people and not the special interests.
  We are ending the dominance of big, dark, special interest money in 
politics.
  We are ensuring clean, fair elections with Congressman   John Lewis, 
our hero, with his Voter Empowerment Act, to increase access to the 
ballot box.
  Democrats or Republicans or people who are Independent, who do not 
register with a party, should want everyone to be able to vote without 
obstacles. This legislation will remove obstacles to participation. 
Whether obstacles of closing polling places in certain neighborhoods, 
obstacles of reducing hours that those polling places are open, 
reducing the number of days for early voting, and the rest, it will 
reduce those obstacles.

                              {time}  1645

  We also are protecting the sacred right to vote through Congresswoman 
Terri Sewell's H.R. 4, which is an offspring of this legislation, the 
Voting Rights Advancement Act, to secure, again, and restore the Voting 
Rights Act. It is part of H.R. 1, but it will be taken up separately 
because of the need to establish the constitutional basis in an 
ironclad way as we go forward.
  I am so pleased, Mr. Chairman, and I thank the chairwoman of the 
House Administration Committee for reinstating the House Administration 
Subcommittee on Elections led by Congresswoman Marcia Fudge which began 
its out-of-Washington hearings in Brownsville, Texas. I was just in 
Texas, and people were delighted that Chairwoman Fudge's subcommittee 
came there to hear the stories of voter suppression that exists 
throughout the country, especially among people who may have a last 
name that may sound foreign to some and questionable therefore to them, 
but who are American citizens eligible to vote.
  We are cleaning up corruption and ensuring that public officials 
again work for the people's interests. You can't say it enough, Mr. 
Chairman.
  We must pass this legislation so we can break the grip of special 
interests. We talk about obstacles to participation and suppression of 
the vote, and we talk about what we talked about earlier, whether it is 
voting, number of polling places, number of hours, number of days, 
degree of identification that is required in some areas more so than in 
others and different surnames and the rest, but one of the biggest 
suppressors of the vote is the suffocation of the airwaves by big, dark 
special interest money. There are some people in our country--I hope 
none of them in this body--who think that the only way to win an 
election is to suppress the vote one way or another, and bombarding and 
suffocating the airwaves with information that is not factual, by 
disrupting elections and by putting out messages in the social media 
that are misleading, the resources that make all of this possible are 
as much a voter suppressor as anything you can name.
  So that is why when we put forth our For the People agenda; one, to 
lower healthcare costs by reducing the cost of prescription drugs; 
secondly, to increase paychecks, lower healthcare costs, bigger 
paychecks by building the infrastructure of America in a green way, 
people had confidence that we could do that because H.R. 1, which was 
essential to our For the People agenda, would, again, diminish the role 
of big, special interest money and increase the voice of every person 
in our country, including increase the impact of small donor 
participation in elections.
  When we put power back in the hands of the American people, as this 
legislation does, we can make much more progress on hard issues facing 
our Nation, and the American people know that. It removes a great deal 
of skepticism that they have in politics and government. It instills 
confidence that their voice will be heard, that their cause will be 
addressed, and that their interests will be served.
  Again, lowering healthcare costs by reducing the cost of prescription 
drugs, people's voices will be heard, a big issue in re-election; 
increasing paychecks by rebuilding the infrastructure of America in a 
bold, green and modern way; safeguarding consumer protections, workers' 
rights and the rights of the LGBTQ community; and addressing the 
concerns of our beautiful Dreamers in legislation that we will take up 
and launch next week; protecting clean air and clean water, confronting 
the climate crisis, and so much more will be taken up.
  Let me add that a bill that we passed last week--which was historic 
in the House--finally passing a bill for commonsense background checks 
for gun violence prevention, again, defies the big money in that arena.
  There should be nothing partisan or political about empowering the 
American people and making sure that government works for them. Our 
Founders provided a vision for our country. They wrote a constitution 
making us the freest people in the world, a model for the rest of the 
world that enabled people--oh, thank God they made it amendable so that 
we could ever expand power, voting rights, and the rest.
  What is exciting about this Congress, which has over 100 women in it 
for the first time, is that in the course of this Congress, we will be 
celebrating the 100th anniversary of women having the right to vote. 
But the right to vote must be accompanied by removing obstacles to that 
participation, and that is what we are doing today.
  How do we answer our Founders if one day we are meeting them in the 
next life?
  How do we say to them: I did everything in my power to suppress the 
vote?
  Or do we say: Honoring your vision, we removed every obstacle for 
those who are legitimately eligible to vote to do so and to have their 
vote counted as cast?
  To honor the oath we take and to honor the people's trust, I strongly 
urge a bipartisan vote for this bill, for the people.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I have no further 
speakers, and I am ready to close.
  I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Chairman.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman would like to wrap up, I 
will also wrap up.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. But before I do, Mr. Chairman, may I 
inquire how much time is remaining.
  The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Schrader). The gentleman has 2\1/2\ minutes 
remaining.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the 
balance of my time and that is not nearly enough to talk about all the 
bad provisions in this bill once again.
  There are so many provisions in this bill that many of my colleagues 
graciously came down to the floor to talk about them. As a matter of 
fact, I have with me a file of letters from groups

[[Page H2408]]

like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the ACLU, the National Right to 
Life, and all others that have been outspoken in their opposition to 
this behemoth partisan piece of legislation.
  Let me remind everybody once again: we Republicans--there are only 
three of us on the House Administration Committee--were not consulted 
at all by anyone who wrote this bill, nor by any of the groups who were 
pointed out at the press conference announcing this piece of 
legislation that they helped to write this bill. Make no bones about 
it, this shell game, this nebulous freedom from influence or whatever 
fund you want to call it, the CBO estimates they don't even have enough 
information on it. They are estimating the taxpayers will be on the 
hook for at least $1 billion, and that goes in addition to the over $2 
billion that the rest of the bill is going to cost the taxpayers of 
this country.

  Now, it is interesting, I just read a tweet--I never met the 
gentleman, Dan McLaughlin, but it is a pretty good explanation of what 
I think this bill is. His tweet says: ``Professional politicians do 
unethical things that they've written the rules to allow.''
  This bill has written the rules to allow Members of Congress to 
enrich their own campaign coffers that will eventually be on the backs 
of government and the taxpayers. This is not why we should be here.
  I am for the American voter. I support that every eligible voter have 
easier ways to register to vote and get easier access to the polls. 
What I am not for is for Washington, D.C., taking over elections and 
enriching the campaign coffers of the people who sit in this room.
  I know what difficult elections look like. It is the worst of 
partisan politics, and it is personal to me. I know what it looks like 
when people take well-intentioned laws and use them to their political 
advantage. I don't want that to happen, and I believe H.R. 1 will allow 
that to happen.
  We have had disagreements. I respect the fact that my colleagues have 
come here to debate this bill, but this is the furthest thing from a 
bipartisan bill. I can't say it enough how opposed to this bill I am.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Chairman, this is an important bill for many reasons. We have 
seen all over the United States efforts to prevent Americans from being 
able to vote, from moving polling places out of a jurisdiction without 
any public transportation so voters can't get there, to reducing early 
voting, to voter ID requirements that have a disparate result and 
disadvantage young people. For example, in Texas you can show your 
hunting license but not your University of Texas ID. I think there is a 
rationale behind that.
  We have had enough. We believe that American citizens ought to be 
able to vote and that we should do everything in Federal elections as 
the Constitution provides to allow those American citizens to vote.
  That is why this bill provides for at least 15 days of early voting 
for Federal elections, no-excuse absentee ballots, that provisional 
ballots are treated uniformly so a voter in one State is treated the 
same way as a voter in another State when they are voting for the House 
of Representatives. We want to improve access for voters with 
disabilities and for overseas and military voters.
  We know that we are vulnerable to hacking. We have voting machines 
that are using software that is no longer even updated. They are 
vulnerable to hacking. We have got to have paper ballots that are 
subject to a recount.
  Much has been said about elements of this, but one of the things that 
I think is very important is the Federal congressional redistricting 
provisions. If there is one thing that makes Americans upset it is 
politicians manipulating the districts so that even if they don't get 
the votes, they get to win the seats. That is gerrymandering. This bill 
does away with it for the House of Representatives.
  It requires all States to establish independent redistricting 
commissions for the purpose of developing and enacting congressional 
redistricting plans. It exempts States that meet the minimum 
requirements, including the State of Arizona, contrary to one of the 
comments made earlier here today.
  There has been a lot of discussion about money, but I will include in 
the Record the preliminary report we have received from the Joint 
Committee on Taxation.
  The estimate of the proposed 2.75 percent special assessment on 
criminal penalties and civil penalties is that it would raise $1.948 
billion between 2019 and 2029 and that it would reduce the deficit by 
$83 million because people would be deterred by the additional penalty. 
That is from the Joint Committee on Taxation. I didn't make that up.
  So this bill has a lot of sound provisions in it. It discloses big 
money so that there is transparency, as the court in Citizens United 
suggested that we do. It empowers small donors so the big money guys 
don't own the government. It reforms the ethics process for the 
President, the Congress, and for the judiciary.
  I am sorry to say that some candidates win only when they suppress 
the vote, and we have seen that happen across the United States. We are 
not going to allow that to happen. Every American has a right to vote, 
to have their vote counted and let the chips fall where they may. That 
is what H.R. 1 will do.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge its passage, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1, 
The ``For the People Act of 2019,'' which expands access to the ballot 
box, reduces the influence of big money in politics, and strengthens 
ethics rules for public servants.
  I am proud to be one of 226, co-sponsors, and one of the original 
cosponsors, of H.R. 1, which will increase public confidence in our 
democracy by reducing the role of money in politics, restoring ethical 
standards and integrity to government, and strengthening laws to 
protect voting.
  Specifically, the For the People Act will:
  1. Make it easier, not harder, to vote by implementing automatic 
voter registration, requiring early voting and vote by mail, committing 
Congress to reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act and ensuring the 
integrity of our elections by modernizing and strengthening our voting 
systems and ending partisan redistricting.
  2. Reform the campaign finance system by requiring all political 
organizations to disclose large donors, updating political 
advertisement laws for the digital age, establishing a public matching 
system for citizen-owned elections, and revamping the Federal Election 
Commission to ensure there's a cop on the campaign finance beat; and
  3. Strengthen ethics laws to ensure that public officials work in the 
public interest by extending conflict of interest laws to the President 
and Vice President; requiring the release of their tax returns; closing 
loopholes that allow former members of Congress to avoid cooling-off 
periods for lobbying; closing the revolving door between industry and 
the federal government; and establishing a code of conduct for the 
Supreme Court.
  H.R. 1 expands access to the ballot box by taking aim at 
institutional barriers to voting.
  This bill ensures that individuals who have completed felony 
sentences have their full rights restored and expands early voting and 
simplify absentee voting; and modernize the U.S. voting system.
  Mr. Chair, this legislation and this hearing is particularly timely 
because more than half a century after the passage of the Voting Rights 
Act of 1965, we are still discussing voter suppression--something which 
should be a bygone relic of the past, but yet continues to 
disenfranchise racial minorities, immigrants, women, and young people.
  The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a watershed moment for the Civil 
Rights Movement--it liberated communities of color from legal 
restrictions barring them from exercising the fundamental right to 
civic engagement and political representation.
  But uncaged by Supreme Court's infamous 2013 decision in Shelby 
County v. Holder, 570 U.S. 529 (2013), which neutered the preclearance 
provision of the Voting Rights Act, 14 states, including my state of 
Texas, took extreme measures to enforce new voting

[[Page H2409]]

restrictions before the 2016 presidential election.
  It is not a coincidence that many of these same states have 
experienced increasing numbers of black and Hispanic voters in recent 
elections.
  If not for invidious, state-sponsored voter suppression policies like 
discriminatory voter ID laws, reduced early voting periods, and voter 
intimidation tactics that directly or indirectly target racial 
minorities, the 2016 presidential election might have had a drastically 
different outcome.
  Mr. Chair, H.R. 1 must be passed because many of the civil rights 
that I fought for as a student and young lawyer have been undermined or 
been rolled back by reactionary forces in recent years.
  To add insult to injury, the Trump Administration issued an Executive 
Order establishing a so-called ``Election Integrity'' Commission to 
investigate not voter suppression, but so-called ``voter fraud'' in the 
2016 election.
  Trump and his followers have been unceasing in their efforts to 
perpetuate the myth of voter fraud, but it remains just that: a myth.
  Between 2000 and 2014, there were 35 credible allegations of voter 
fraud out of more than 834 million ballots cast--that is less than 1 in 
28 million votes.
  An extensive study by social scientists at Dartmouth College 
uncovered no evidence to support Trump's hysterical and outrageous 
allegations of widespread voter fraud ``rigging'' the 2016 election.
  Just for the record, Mr. Chair, the popular vote of the 2016 
presidential election was:
  Hillary Clinton, 65,853,516.
  Donald Trump, 62,884,824.
  Trump's deficit of 2.9 million was the largest of any Electoral 
College winner in history by a massive margin, and despite the 
allegations of the current Administration, there have been only 4 
documented cases of voter fraud in the 2016 election.
  The Voter Fraud Commission, like many of Trump's business schemes, 
was a massive scam built on countless lies that do not hold up to any 
level of scrutiny.
  As Members of Congress, we should be devoting our time, energy, and 
resources addressing Russian infiltration of our election 
infrastructure and campaigns, along with other pressing issues.
  Instead of enjoying and strengthening the protections guaranteed in 
the Voting Rights Act--people of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, and 
immigrants--have been given the joyless, exhausting task of fending off 
the constant barrage of attacks levelled at our communities by Trump 
and other conspiracy theorists.
  Not only are we tasked with reversing the current dismal state of 
voter suppression against minorities; we are forced to refute the 
blatant, propagandist lie of voter fraud.
  To this end, I have been persistent in my efforts to protect the 
rights of disenfranchised communities in my district of inner-city 
Houston and across the nation.
  Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have cosponsored dozens of bills, 
amendments, and resolutions seeking to improve voters' rights at all 
stages and levels of the election process.
  This includes legislation aimed at:
  1. Increasing voter outreach and turnout;
  2. Ensuring both early and same-day registration;
  3. Standardizing physical and language accessibility at polling 
places;
  4. Expanding early voting periods;
  5. Decreasing voter wait times;
  6. Guaranteeing absentee ballots, especially for displaced citizens;
  7. Modernizing voting technologies and strengthening our voter record 
systems;
  8. Establishing the federal Election Day as a national holiday; and
  9. Condemning and criminalizing deceptive practices, voter 
intimidation, and other suppression tactics;
  Along with many of my CBC colleagues, I was an original cosponsor of 
H.R. 9, the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting 
Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act, which became public law 
on July 27, 2006.

  I also authored H.R. 745 in the 110th Congress, which added the 
legendary Barbara Jordan to the list of civil rights trailblazers whose 
memories are honored in the naming the Voting Rights Act 
Reauthorization and Amendments Act.
  This bill strengthened the original Voting Rights Act by replacing 
federal voting examiners with federal voting observers a significant 
enhancement that made it easier to safeguard against racially biased 
voter suppression tactics.
  In the 114th Congress, I introduced H.R. 75, the Coretta Scott King 
Mid-Decade Redistricting Prohibition Act of 2015, which prohibits 
states whose congressional districts have been redistricted after a 
decennial census from redrawing their district lines until the next 
census.
  Prejudiced redistricting, or gerrymandering as it is more commonly 
known, has been used for decades to weaken the voting power of African 
Americans, Latino Americans, and other minorities since the Civil 
Rights Era.
  Immediately after the Shelby County ruling, which lifted preclearance 
requirements for states with histories of discrimination seeking to 
change their voting laws or practices, redistricting became a favorite 
tool for Republicans who connived to unfairly gain 3 congressional 
seats in Texas.
  In the 110th Congress, I was the original sponsor of H.R. 6778, the 
Ex-Offenders Voting Rights Act of 2008, which prohibited denial of the 
right to vote in a federal election on the basis of an individual's 
status as a formerly incarcerated person.
  The Ex-Offenders Voting Rights Act sought to reverse discriminatory 
voter restrictions that disproportionately affect the African American 
voting population, which continues to be targeted by mass 
incarceration, police profiling, and a biased criminal justice system.
  Those of us who cherish the right to vote justifiably are skeptical 
of Voter ID laws because we understand how these laws, like poll taxes 
and literacy tests, can be used to impede or negate the ability of 
seniors, racial and language minorities, and young people to cast their 
votes.
  Voter ID laws are just one of the means that can be used to abridge 
or suppress the right to vote but there are others, including:
  1. Curtailing or Eliminating Early Voting;
  2. Ending Same-Day Registration;
  3. Not counting provisional ballots cast in the wrong precinct on 
Election Day will not count;
  4. Eliminating Teenage Pre-Registration;
  5. Shortened Poll Hours;
  6. Lessening the standards governing voter challenges used by 
vigilantes, like the King Street Patriots in my city of Houston, to 
cause trouble at the polls;
  7. ``Voter Caging,'' to suppress the turnout of minority voters by 
sending non-forwardable mail to targeted populations and, once the mail 
is returned, using the returned mail to compile lists of voters whose 
eligibility is then challenged on the basis of residence under state 
law; and
  8. Employing targeted redistricting techniques to dilute minority 
voting strength, notably ``Cracking'' (i.e., fragmenting and dispersing 
concentrations of minority populations); ``Stacking'' (combining 
concentrations of minority voters with greater concentrations of white 
populations); and ``Packing'' (i.e., over-concentrating minority voters 
in as few districts as possible).
  Mr. Chair, we must not allow our democracy to slide back into the 
worst elements of this country's past, to stand idly by as our 
treasured values of democracy, progress, and equality are poisoned and 
dismantled.
  I urge all members to join me in voting to pass H.R. 1, the ``For The 
People Act of 2019.''
  The Acting CHAIR. All time for general debate has expired.
  Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered for amendment 
under the 5-minute rule.
  In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by 
the Committee on House Administration, printed in the bill, the 
amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules 
Committee Print 116-7, modified by the amendment printed in part A of 
House Report 116-16, shall be considered as adopted. The bill, as 
amended, shall be considered as an original bill for purpose of further 
amendment under the 5-minute rule and shall be considered as read.
  The text of the bill, as amended, is as follows:

                                 H.R. 1

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``For the People Act of 
     2019''.

[[Page H2410]]

  


     SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION OF ACT INTO DIVISIONS; TABLE OF 
                   CONTENTS.

       (a) Divisions.--This Act is organized into 3 divisions as 
     follows:
       (1) Division A--Voting.
       (2) Division B--Campaign Finance.
       (3) Division C--Ethics.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Organization of Act into divisions; table of contents.

                      DIVISION A--ELECTION ACCESS

                        TITLE I--ELECTION ACCESS

Sec. 1000. Short title; statement of policy.

              Subtitle A--Voter Registration Modernization

Sec. 1000A. Short title.

                Part 1--Promoting Internet Registration

Sec. 1001. Requiring availability of Internet for voter registration.
Sec. 1002. Use of Internet to update registration information.
Sec. 1003. Provision of election information by electronic mail to 
              individuals registered to vote.
Sec. 1004. Clarification of requirement regarding necessary information 
              to show eligibility to vote.
Sec. 1005. Effective date.

                  Part 2--Automatic Voter Registration

Sec. 1011. Short title; findings and purpose.
Sec. 1012. Automatic registration of eligible individuals.
Sec. 1013. Contributing agency assistance in registration.
Sec. 1014. One-time contributing agency assistance in registration of 
              eligible voters in existing records.
Sec. 1015. Voter protection and security in automatic registration.
Sec. 1016. Registration portability and correction.
Sec. 1017. Payments and grants.
Sec. 1018. Treatment of exempt States.
Sec. 1019. Miscellaneous provisions.
Sec. 1020. Definitions.
Sec. 1021. Effective date.

                  Part 3--Same Day Voter Registration

Sec. 1031. Same day registration.

   Part 4--Conditions on Removal on Basis of Interstate Cross-Checks

Sec. 1041. Conditions on removal of registrants from official list of 
              eligible voters on basis of interstate cross-checks.

        Part 5--Other Initiatives to Promote Voter Registration

Sec. 1051. Annual reports on voter registration statistics.

           Part 6--Availability of HAVA Requirements Payments

Sec. 1061. Availability of requirements payments under HAVA to cover 
              costs of compliance with new requirements.

        Part 7--Prohibiting Interference With Voter Registration

Sec. 1071. Prohibiting hindering, interfering with, or preventing voter 
              registration.
Sec. 1072. Establishment of best practices.

     Subtitle B--Access to Voting for Individuals With Disabilities

Sec. 1101. Requirements for States to promote access to voter 
              registration and voting for individuals with 
              disabilities.
Sec. 1102. Expansion and reauthorization of grant program to assure 
              voting access for individuals with disabilities.

                  Subtitle C--Prohibiting Voter Caging

Sec. 1201. Voter caging and other questionable challenges prohibited.
Sec. 1202. Development and adoption of best practices for preventing 
              voter caging.

   Subtitle D--Prohibiting Deceptive Practices and Preventing Voter 
                              Intimidation

Sec. 1301. Short title.
Sec. 1302. Prohibition on deceptive practices in Federal elections.
Sec. 1303. Corrective action.
Sec. 1304. Reports to Congress.

                   Subtitle E--Democracy Restoration

Sec. 1401. Short title.
Sec. 1402. Rights of citizens.
Sec. 1403. Enforcement.
Sec. 1404. Notification of restoration of voting rights.
Sec. 1405. Definitions.
Sec. 1406. Relation to other laws.
Sec. 1407. Federal prison funds.
Sec. 1408. Effective date.

 Subtitle F--Promoting Accuracy, Integrity, and Security Through Voter-
                    Verified Permanent Paper Ballot

Sec. 1501. Short title.
Sec. 1502. Paper ballot and manual counting requirements.
Sec. 1503. Accessibility and ballot verification for individuals with 
              disabilities.
Sec. 1504. Durability and readability requirements for ballots.
Sec. 1505. Effective date for new requirements.

                    Subtitle G--Provisional Ballots

Sec. 1601. Requirements for counting provisional ballots; establishment 
              of uniform and nondiscriminatory standards.

                        Subtitle H--Early Voting

Sec. 1611. Early voting.

                       Subtitle I--Voting by Mail

Sec. 1621. Voting by Mail.

    Subtitle J--Absent Uniformed Services Voters and Overseas Voters

Sec. 1701. Pre-election reports on availability and transmission of 
              absentee ballots.
Sec. 1702. Enforcement.
Sec. 1703. Revisions to 45-day absentee ballot transmission rule.
Sec. 1704. Use of single absentee ballot application for subsequent 
              elections.
Sec. 1705. Effective date.

            Subtitle K--Poll Worker Recruitment and Training

Sec. 1801. Grants to States for poll worker recruitment and training.
Sec. 1802. State defined.

                 Subtitle L--Enhancement of Enforcement

Sec. 1811. Enhancement of enforcement of Help America Vote Act of 2002.

                 Subtitle M--Federal Election Integrity

Sec. 1821. Prohibition on campaign activities by chief State election 
              administration officials.

  Subtitle N--Promoting Voter Access Through Election Administration 
                              Improvements

                     Part 1--Promoting Voter Access

Sec. 1901. Treatment of institutions of higher education.
Sec. 1902. Minimum notification requirements for voters affected by 
              polling place changes.
Sec. 1903. Election Day holiday.
Sec. 1904. Permitting use of sworn written statement to meet 
              identification requirements for voting.
Sec. 1905. Postage-free ballots.
Sec. 1906. Reimbursement for costs incurred by States in establishing 
              program to track and confirm receipt of absentee ballots.
Sec. 1907. Voter information response systems and hotline.

  Part 2--Improvements in Operation of Election Assistance Commission

Sec. 1911. Reauthorization of Election Assistance Commission.
Sec. 1913. Requiring states to participate in post-general election 
              surveys.
Sec. 1914. Reports by National Institute of Standards and Technology on 
              use of funds transferred from Election Assistance 
              Commission.
Sec. 1915. Recommendations to improve operations of Election Assistance 
              Commission.
Sec. 1916. Repeal of exemption of Election Assistance Commission from 
              certain government contracting requirements.

                    Part 3--Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec. 1921. Application of laws to Commonwealth of Northern Mariana 
              Islands.
Sec. 1922. No effect on other laws.

                        Subtitle O--Severability

Sec. 1931. Severability.

                      TITLE II--ELECTION INTEGRITY

Subtitle A--Findings Reaffirming Commitment of Congress to Restore the 
                           Voting Rights Act

Sec. 2001. Findings reaffirming commitment of Congress to restore the 
              Voting Rights Act.

     Subtitle B--Findings Relating to Native American Voting Rights

Sec. 2101. Findings relating to Native American voting rights.

    Subtitle C--Findings Relating to District of Columbia Statehood

Sec. 2201. Findings relating to District of Columbia statehood.

       Subtitle D--Findings Relating to Territorial Voting Rights

Sec. 2301. Findings relating to territorial voting rights.

                    Subtitle E--Redistricting Reform

Sec. 2400. Short title; finding of constitutional authority.

          Part 1--Requirements for Congressional Redistricting

Sec. 2401. Requiring congressional redistricting to be conducted 
              through plan of independent State commission.
Sec. 2402. Ban on mid-decade redistricting.

             Part 2--Independent Redistricting Commissions

Sec. 2411. Independent redistricting commission.
Sec. 2412. Establishment of selection pool of individuals eligible to 
              serve as members of commission.
Sec. 2413. Criteria for redistricting plan by independent commission; 
              public notice and input.
Sec. 2414. Establishment of related entities.

      Part 3--Role of Courts in Development of Redistricting Plans

Sec. 2421. Enactment of plan developed by 3-judge court.
Sec. 2422. Special rule for redistricting conducted under order of 
              Federal court.

          Part 4--Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec. 2431. Payments to States for carrying out redistricting.

[[Page H2411]]

Sec. 2432. Civil enforcement.
Sec. 2433. State apportionment notice defined.
Sec. 2434. No effect on elections for State and local office.
Sec. 2435. Effective date.

         Subtitle F--Saving Eligible Voters From Voter Purging

Sec. 2501. Short title.
Sec. 2502. Conditions for removal of voters from list of registered 
              voters.

    Subtitle G--No Effect on Authority of States to Provide Greater 
                        Opportunities for Voting

Sec. 2601. No effect on authority of States to provide greater 
              opportunities for voting.

                        Subtitle H--Severability

Sec. 2701. Severability.

                      TITLE III--ELECTION SECURITY

Sec. 3000. Short title; sense of Congress.

       Subtitle A--Financial Support for Election Infrastructure

           Part 1--Voting System Security Improvement Grants

Sec. 3001. Grants for obtaining compliant paper ballot voting systems 
              and carrying out voting system security improvements.
Sec. 3002. Coordination of voting system security activities with use 
              of requirements payments and election administration 
              requirements under Help America Vote Act of 2002.
Sec. 3003. Incorporation of definitions.

    Part 2--Grants for Risk-limiting Audits of Results of Elections

Sec. 3011. Grants to States for conducting risk-limiting audits of 
              results of elections.
Sec. 3012. GAO analysis of effects of audits.

        Part 3--Election Infrastructure Innovation Grant Program

Sec. 3021. Election infrastructure innovation grant program.

                     Subtitle B--Security Measures

Sec. 3101. Election infrastructure designation.
Sec. 3102. Timely threat information.
Sec. 3103. Security clearance assistance for election officials.
Sec. 3104. Security risk and vulnerability assessments.
Sec. 3105. Annual reports.

    Subtitle C--Enhancing Protections for United States Democratic 
                              Institutions

Sec. 3201. National strategy to protect United States democratic 
              institutions.
Sec. 3202. National Commission to Protect United States Democratic 
              Institutions.

 Subtitle D--Promoting Cybersecurity Through Improvements in Election 
                             Administration

Sec. 3301. Testing of existing voting systems to ensure compliance with 
              election cybersecurity guidelines and other guidelines.
Sec. 3302. Treatment of electronic poll books as part of voting 
              systems.
Sec. 3303. Pre-election reports on voting system usage.
Sec. 3304. Streamlining collection of election information.

                Subtitle E--Preventing Election Hacking

Sec. 3401. Short title.
Sec. 3402. Election Security Bug Bounty Program.
Sec. 3403. Definitions.

                  Subtitle F--Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec. 3501. Definitions.
Sec. 3502. Initial report on adequacy of resources available for 
              implementation.

                        Subtitle G--Severability

Sec. 3601. Severability.

                      DIVISION B--CAMPAIGN FINANCE

                TITLE IV--CAMPAIGN FINANCE TRANSPARENCY

    Subtitle A--Findings Relating to Illicit Money Undermining Our 
                               Democracy

Sec. 4001. Findings relating to illicit money undermining our 
              democracy.

                        Subtitle B--DISCLOSE Act

Sec. 4100. Short title.

            Part 1--Regulation of Certain Political Spending

Sec. 4101. Application of ban on contributions and expenditures by 
              foreign nationals to domestic corporations, limited 
              liability corporations, and partnerships that are 
              foreign-controlled, foreign-influenced, and foreign-
              owned.
Sec. 4102. Clarification of application of foreign money ban to certain 
              disbursements and activities.

          Part 2--Reporting of Campaign-Related Disbursements

Sec. 4111. Reporting of campaign-related disbursements.
Sec. 4112. Application of foreign money ban to disbursements for 
              campaign-related disbursements consisting of covered 
              transfers.
Sec. 4113. Effective date.

                  Part 3--Other Administrative Reforms

Sec. 4121. Petition for certiorari.
Sec. 4122. Judicial review of actions related to campaign finance laws.

                         Subtitle C--Honest Ads

Sec. 4201. Short title.
Sec. 4202. Purpose.
Sec. 4203. Findings.
Sec. 4204. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 4205. Expansion of definition of public communication.
Sec. 4206. Expansion of definition of electioneering communication.
Sec. 4207. Application of disclaimer statements to online 
              communications.
Sec. 4208. Political record requirements for online platforms.
Sec. 4209. Preventing contributions, expenditures, independent 
              expenditures, and disbursements for electioneering 
              communications by foreign nationals in the form of online 
              advertising.

                     Subtitle D--Stand By Every Ad

Sec. 4301. Short title.
Sec. 4302. Stand By Every Ad.
Sec. 4303. Disclaimer requirements for communications made through 
              prerecorded telephone calls.
Sec. 4304. No expansion of persons subject to disclaimer requirements 
              on Internet communications.
Sec. 4305. Effective date.

                 Subtitle E--Secret Money Transparency

Sec. 4401. Repeal of restriction of use of funds by Internal Revenue 
              Service to bring transparency to political activity of 
              certain nonprofit organizations.

                 Subtitle F--Shareholder Right-to-Know

Sec. 4501. Repeal of restriction on use of funds by Securities and 
              Exchange Commission to ensure shareholders of 
              corporations have knowledge of corporation political 
              activity.

 Subtitle G--Disclosure of Political Spending by Government Contractors

Sec. 4601. Repeal of restriction on use of funds to require disclosure 
              of political spending by government contractors.

  Subtitle H--Limitation and Disclosure Requirements for Presidential 
                          Inaugural Committees

Sec. 4701. Short title.
Sec. 4702. Limitations and disclosure of certain donations to, and 
              disbursements by, Inaugural Committees.

                        Subtitle I--Severability

Sec. 4801. Severability.

                 TITLE V--CAMPAIGN FINANCE EMPOWERMENT

       Subtitle A--Findings Relating to Citizens United Decision

Sec. 5001. Findings relating to Citizens United decision.

                  Subtitle B--Congressional Elections

Sec. 5100. Short title.

                 Part 1--My Voice Voucher Pilot Program

Sec. 5101. Establishment of pilot program.
Sec. 5102. Voucher program described.
Sec. 5103. Reports.
Sec. 5104. Definitions.

   Part 2--Small Dollar Financing of Congressional Election Campaigns

Sec. 5111. Benefits and eligibility requirements for candidates.
Sec. 5112. Contributions and expenditures by multicandidate and 
              political party committees on behalf of participating 
              candidates.
Sec. 5113. Prohibiting use of contributions by participating candidates 
              for purposes other than campaign for election.
Sec. 5114. Effective date.

                   Subtitle C--Presidential Elections

Sec. 5200. Short title.

                       Part 1--Primary Elections

Sec. 5201. Increase in and modifications to matching payments.
Sec. 5202. Eligibility requirements for matching payments.
Sec. 5203. Repeal of expenditure limitations.
Sec. 5204. Period of availability of matching payments.
Sec. 5205. Examination and audits of matchable contributions.
Sec. 5206. Modification to limitation on contributions for Presidential 
              primary candidates.
Sec. 5207. Use of Freedom From Influence Fund as source of payments.

                       Part 2--General Elections

Sec. 5211. Modification of eligibility requirements for public 
              financing.
Sec. 5212. Repeal of expenditure limitations and use of qualified 
              campaign contributions.
Sec. 5213. Matching payments and other modifications to payment 
              amounts.
Sec. 5214. Increase in limit on coordinated party expenditures.
Sec. 5215. Establishment of uniform date for release of payments.
Sec. 5216. Amounts in Presidential Election Campaign Fund.
Sec. 5217. Use of general election payments for general election legal 
              and accounting compliance.
Sec. 5218. Use of Freedom From Influence Fund as source of payments.

                         Part 3--Effective Date

Sec. 5221. Effective date.

 Subtitle D--Personal Use Services as Authorized Campaign Expenditures

Sec. 5301. Short title; findings; purpose.

[[Page H2412]]

Sec. 5302. Treatment of payments for child care and other personal use 
              services as authorized campaign expenditure.

                        Subtitle E--Severability

Sec. 5401. Severability.

                  TITLE VI--CAMPAIGN FINANCE OVERSIGHT

         Subtitle A--Restoring Integrity to America's Elections

Sec. 6001. Short title.
Sec. 6002. Membership of Federal Election Commission.
Sec. 6003. Assignment of powers to Chair of Federal Election 
              Commission.
Sec. 6004. Revision to enforcement process.
Sec. 6005. Permitting appearance at hearings on requests for advisory 
              opinions by persons opposing the requests.
Sec. 6006. Permanent extension of administrative penalty authority.
Sec. 6007. Restrictions on ex parte communications.
Sec. 6008. Effective date; transition.

         Subtitle B--Stopping Super PAC-Candidate Coordination

Sec. 6101. Short title.
Sec. 6102. Clarification of treatment of coordinated expenditures as 
              contributions to candidates.
Sec. 6103. Clarification of ban on fundraising for super PACs by 
              Federal candidates and officeholders.

                        Subtitle C--Severability

Sec. 6201. Severability.

                           DIVISION C--ETHICS

                      TITLE VII--ETHICAL STANDARDS

                    Subtitle A--Supreme Court Ethics

Sec. 7001. Code of conduct for Federal judges.

                Subtitle B--Foreign Agents Registration

Sec. 7101. Establishment of FARA investigation and enforcement unit 
              within Department of Justice.
Sec. 7102. Authority to impose civil money penalties.
Sec. 7103. Disclosure of transactions involving things of financial 
              value conferred on officeholders.
Sec. 7104. Ensuring online access to registration statements.

                 Subtitle C--Lobbying Disclosure Reform

Sec. 7201. Expanding scope of individuals and activities subject to 
              requirements of Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.

             Subtitle D--Recusal of Presidential Appointees

Sec. 7301. Recusal of appointees.

                        Subtitle E--Severability

Sec. 7401. Severability.

   TITLE VIII--ETHICS REFORMS FOR THE PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, AND 
                     FEDERAL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

           Subtitle A--Executive Branch Conflict of Interest

Sec. 8001. Short title.
Sec. 8002. Restrictions on private sector payment for government 
              service.
Sec. 8003. Requirements relating to slowing the revolving door.
Sec. 8004. Prohibition of procurement officers accepting employment 
              from government contractors.
Sec. 8005. Revolving door restrictions on employees moving into the 
              private sector.

             Subtitle B--Presidential Conflicts of Interest

Sec. 8011. Short title.
Sec. 8012. Divestiture of personal financial interests of the President 
              and Vice President that pose a potential conflict of 
              interest.
Sec. 8013. Initial financial disclosure.
Sec. 8014. Contracts by the President or Vice President.

              Subtitle C--White House Ethics Transparency

Sec. 8021. Short title.
Sec. 8022. Procedure for waivers and authorizations relating to ethics 
              requirements.

            Subtitle D--Executive Branch Ethics Enforcement

Sec. 8031. Short title.
Sec. 8032. Reauthorization of the Office of Government Ethics.
Sec. 8033. Tenure of the Director of the Office of Government Ethics.
Sec. 8034. Duties of Director of the Office of Government Ethics.
Sec. 8035. Agency Ethics Officials Training and Duties.

            Subtitle E--Conflicts From Political Fundraising

Sec. 8041. Short title.
Sec. 8042. Disclosure of certain types of contributions.

                   Subtitle F--Transition Team Ethics

Sec. 8051. Short title.
Sec. 8052. Presidential transition ethics programs.

    Subtitle G--Ethics Pledge For Senior Executive Branch Employees

Sec. 8061. Short title.
Sec. 8062. Ethics pledge requirement for senior executive branch 
              employees.

                        Subtitle H--Severability

Sec. 8071. Severability.

                 TITLE IX--CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS REFORM

  Subtitle A--Requiring Members of Congress to Reimburse Treasury for 
      Amounts Paid as Settlements and Awards Under Congressional 
                       Accountability Act of 1995

Sec. 9001. Requiring Members of Congress to reimburse Treasury for 
              amounts paid as settlements and awards under 
              Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 in all cases of 
              employment discrimination acts by Members.

                   Subtitle B--Conflicts of Interests

Sec. 9101. Prohibiting Members of House of Representatives from serving 
              on boards of for-profit entities.
Sec. 9102. Conflict of interest rules for Members of Congress and 
              congressional staff.
Sec. 9103. Exercise of rulemaking powers.

          Subtitle C--Campaign Finance and Lobbying Disclosure

Sec. 9201. Short title.
Sec. 9202. Requiring disclosure in certain reports filed with Federal 
              Election Commission of persons who are registered 
              lobbyists.
Sec. 9203. Effective date.

         Subtitle D--Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports

Sec. 9301. Short title.
Sec. 9302. Definitions.
Sec. 9303. Establishment of online portal for congressionally mandated 
              reports.
Sec. 9304. Federal agency responsibilities.
Sec. 9305. Removing and altering reports.
Sec. 9306. Relationship to the Freedom of Information Act.
Sec. 9307. Implementation.

                        Subtitle E--Severability

Sec. 9401. Severability.

      TITLE X--PRESIDENTIAL AND VICE PRESIDENTIAL TAX TRANSPARENCY

Sec. 10001. Presidential and Vice Presidential tax transparency.

                      DIVISION A--ELECTION ACCESS

                        TITLE I--ELECTION ACCESS

Sec. 1000. Short title; statement of policy.

              Subtitle A--Voter Registration Modernization

Sec. 1000A. Short title.

                Part 1--Promoting Internet Registration

Sec. 1001. Requiring availability of Internet for voter registration.
Sec. 1002. Use of Internet to update registration information.
Sec. 1003. Provision of election information by electronic mail to 
              individuals registered to vote.
Sec. 1004. Clarification of requirement regarding necessary information 
              to show eligibility to vote.
Sec. 1005. Effective date.

                  Part 2--Automatic Voter Registration

Sec. 1011. Short title; findings and purpose.
Sec. 1012. Automatic registration of eligible individuals.
Sec. 1013. Contributing agency assistance in registration.
Sec. 1014. One-time contributing agency assistance in registration of 
              eligible voters in existing records.
Sec. 1015. Voter protection and security in automatic registration.
Sec. 1016. Registration portability and correction.
Sec. 1017. Payments and grants.
Sec. 1018. Treatment of exempt States.
Sec. 1019. Miscellaneous provisions.
Sec. 1020. Definitions.
Sec. 1021. Effective date.

                  Part 3--Same Day Voter Registration

Sec. 1031. Same day registration.

   Part 4--Conditions on Removal on Basis of Interstate Cross-Checks

Sec. 1041. Conditions on removal of registrants from official list of 
              eligible voters on basis of interstate cross-checks.

        Part 5--Other Initiatives to Promote Voter Registration

Sec. 1051. Annual reports on voter registration statistics.

           Part 6--Availability of HAVA Requirements Payments

Sec. 1061. Availability of requirements payments under HAVA to cover 
              costs of compliance with new requirements.

        Part 7--Prohibiting Interference With Voter Registration

Sec. 1071. Prohibiting hindering, interfering with, or preventing voter 
              registration.
Sec. 1072. Establishment of best practices.

     Subtitle B--Access to Voting for Individuals With Disabilities

Sec. 1101. Requirements for States to promote access to voter 
              registration and voting for individuals with 
              disabilities.
Sec. 1102. Expansion and reauthorization of grant program to assure 
              voting access for individuals with disabilities.

                  Subtitle C--Prohibiting Voter Caging

Sec. 1201. Voter caging and other questionable challenges prohibited.
Sec. 1202. Development and adoption of best practices for preventing 
              voter caging.

   Subtitle D--Prohibiting Deceptive Practices and Preventing Voter 
                              Intimidation

Sec. 1301. Short title.
Sec. 1302. Prohibition on deceptive practices in Federal elections.
Sec. 1303. Corrective action.
Sec. 1304. Reports to Congress.

[[Page H2413]]

                   Subtitle E--Democracy Restoration

Sec. 1401. Short title.
Sec. 1402. Rights of citizens.
Sec. 1403. Enforcement.
Sec. 1404. Notification of restoration of voting rights.
Sec. 1405. Definitions.
Sec. 1406. Relation to other laws.
Sec. 1407. Federal prison funds.
Sec. 1408. Effective date.

 Subtitle F--Promoting Accuracy, Integrity, and Security Through Voter-
                    Verified Permanent Paper Ballot

Sec. 1501. Short title.
Sec. 1502. Paper ballot and manual counting requirements.
Sec. 1503. Accessibility and ballot verification for individuals with 
              disabilities.
Sec. 1504. Durability and readability requirements for ballots.
Sec. 1505. Effective date for new requirements.

                    Subtitle G--Provisional Ballots

Sec. 1601. Requirements for counting provisional ballots; establishment 
              of uniform and nondiscriminatory standards.

                        Subtitle H--Early Voting

Sec. 1611. Early voting.

                       Subtitle I--Voting by Mail

Sec. 1621. Voting by Mail.

    Subtitle J--Absent Uniformed Services Voters and Overseas Voters

Sec. 1701. Pre-election reports on availability and transmission of 
              absentee ballots.
Sec. 1702. Enforcement.
Sec. 1703. Revisions to 45-day absentee ballot transmission rule.
Sec. 1704. Use of single absentee ballot application for subsequent 
              elections.
Sec. 1705. Effective date.

            Subtitle K--Poll Worker Recruitment and Training

Sec. 1801. Grants to States for poll worker recruitment and training.
Sec. 1802. State defined.

                 Subtitle L--Enhancement of Enforcement

Sec. 1811. Enhancement of enforcement of Help America Vote Act of 2002.

                 Subtitle M--Federal Election Integrity

Sec. 1821. Prohibition on campaign activities by chief State election 
              administration officials.

  Subtitle N--Promoting Voter Access Through Election Administration 
                              Improvements

                     Part 1--Promoting Voter Access

Sec. 1901. Treatment of institutions of higher education.
Sec. 1902. Minimum notification requirements for voters affected by 
              polling place changes.
Sec. 1903. Election Day holiday.
Sec. 1904. Permitting use of sworn written statement to meet 
              identification requirements for voting.
Sec. 1905. Postage-free ballots.
Sec. 1906. Reimbursement for costs incurred by States in establishing 
              program to track and confirm receipt of absentee ballots.
Sec. 1907. Voter information response systems and hotline.

  Part 2--Improvements in Operation of Election Assistance Commission

Sec. 1911. Reauthorization of Election Assistance Commission.
Sec. 1913. Requiring states to participate in post-general election 
              surveys.
Sec. 1914. Reports by National Institute of Standards and Technology on 
              use of funds transferred from Election Assistance 
              Commission.
Sec. 1915. Recommendations to improve operations of Election Assistance 
              Commission.
Sec. 1916. Repeal of exemption of Election Assistance Commission from 
              certain government contracting requirements.

                    Part 3--Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec. 1921. Application of laws to Commonwealth of Northern Mariana 
              Islands.
Sec. 1922. No effect on other laws.

                        Subtitle O--Severability

Sec. 1931. Severability.

     SEC. 1000. SHORT TITLE; STATEMENT OF POLICY.

       (a) Short Title.--This title may be cited as the ``Voter 
     Empowerment Act of 2019''.
       (b) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United 
     States that--
       (1) all eligible citizens of the United States should 
     access and exercise their constitutional right to vote in a 
     free, fair, and timely manner; and
       (2) the integrity, security, and accountability of the 
     voting process must be vigilantly protected, maintained, and 
     enhanced in order to protect and preserve electoral and 
     participatory democracy in the United States.

              Subtitle A--Voter Registration Modernization

     SEC. 1000A. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Voter Registration 
     Modernization Act of 2019''.

                PART 1--PROMOTING INTERNET REGISTRATION

     SEC. 1001. REQUIRING AVAILABILITY OF INTERNET FOR VOTER 
                   REGISTRATION.

       (a) Requiring Availability of Internet for Registration.--
     The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 
     et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 6 the 
     following new section:

     ``SEC. 6A. INTERNET REGISTRATION.

       ``(a) Requiring Availability of Internet for Online 
     Registration.--
       ``(1) Availability of online registration and correction of 
     existing registration information.--Each State, acting 
     through the chief State election official, shall ensure that 
     the following services are available to the public at any 
     time on the official public websites of the appropriate State 
     and local election officials in the State, in the same manner 
     and subject to the same terms and conditions as the services 
     provided by voter registration agencies under section 7(a):
       ``(A) Online application for voter registration.
       ``(B) Online assistance to applicants in applying to 
     register to vote.
       ``(C) Online completion and submission by applicants of the 
     mail voter registration application form prescribed by the 
     Election Assistance Commission pursuant to section 9(a)(2), 
     including assistance with providing a signature as required 
     under subsection (c).
       ``(D) Online receipt of completed voter registration 
     applications.
       ``(b) Acceptance of Completed Applications.--A State shall 
     accept an online voter registration application provided by 
     an individual under this section, and ensure that the 
     individual is registered to vote in the State, if--
       ``(1) the individual meets the same voter registration 
     requirements applicable to individuals who register to vote 
     by mail in accordance with section 6(a)(1) using the mail 
     voter registration application form prescribed by the 
     Election Assistance Commission pursuant to section 9(a)(2); 
     and
       ``(2) the individual meets the requirements of subsection 
     (c) to provide a signature in electronic form (but only in 
     the case of applications submitted during or after the second 
     year in which this section is in effect in the State).
       ``(c) Signature Requirements.--
       ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, an 
     individual meets the requirements of this subsection as 
     follows:
       ``(A) In the case of an individual who has a signature on 
     file with a State agency, including the State motor vehicle 
     authority, that is required to provide voter registration 
     services under this Act or any other law, the individual 
     consents to the transfer of that electronic signature.
       ``(B) If subparagraph (A) does not apply, the individual 
     submits with the application an electronic copy of the 
     individual's handwritten signature through electronic means.
       ``(C) If subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (B) do not 
     apply, the individual executes a computerized mark in the 
     signature field on an online voter registration application, 
     in accordance with reasonable security measures established 
     by the State, but only if the State accepts such mark from 
     the individual.
       ``(2) Treatment of individuals unable to meet 
     requirement.--If an individual is unable to meet the 
     requirements of paragraph (1), the State shall--
       ``(A) permit the individual to complete all other elements 
     of the online voter registration application;
       ``(B) permit the individual to provide a signature at the 
     time the individual requests a ballot in an election (whether 
     the individual requests the ballot at a polling place or 
     requests the ballot by mail); and
       ``(C) if the individual carries out the steps described in 
     subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (B), ensure that the 
     individual is registered to vote in the State.
       ``(3) Notice.--The State shall ensure that individuals 
     applying to register to vote online are notified of the 
     requirements of paragraph (1) and of the treatment of 
     individuals unable to meet such requirements, as described in 
     paragraph (2).
       ``(d) Confirmation and Disposition.--
       ``(1) Confirmation of receipt.--Upon the online submission 
     of a completed voter registration application by an 
     individual under this section, the appropriate State or local 
     election official shall send the individual a notice 
     confirming the State's receipt of the application and 
     providing instructions on how the individual may check the 
     status of the application.
       ``(2) Notice of disposition.--Not later than 7 days after 
     the appropriate State or local election official has approved 
     or rejected an application submitted by an individual under 
     this section, the official shall send the individual a notice 
     of the disposition of the application.
       ``(3) Method of notification.--The appropriate State or 
     local election official shall send the notices required under 
     this subsection by regular mail, and, in the case of an 
     individual who has provided the official with an electronic 
     mail address, by both electronic mail and regular mail.
       ``(e) Provision of Services in Nonpartisan Manner.--The 
     services made available under subsection (a) shall be 
     provided in a manner that ensures that, consistent with 
     section 7(a)(5)--
       ``(1) the online application does not seek to influence an 
     applicant's political preference or party registration; and
       ``(2) there is no display on the website promoting any 
     political preference or party allegiance, except that nothing 
     in this paragraph may be construed to prohibit an applicant 
     from registering to vote as a member of a political party.
       ``(f) Protection of Security of Information.--In meeting 
     the requirements of this section, the State shall establish 
     appropriate technological security measures to prevent

[[Page H2414]]

     to the greatest extent practicable any unauthorized access to 
     information provided by individuals using the services made 
     available under subsection (a).
       ``(g) Accessibility of Services.--A state shall ensure that 
     the services made available under this section are made 
     available to individuals with disabilities to the same extent 
     as services are made available to all other individuals.
       ``(h) Use of Additional Telephone-Based System.--A State 
     shall make the services made available online under 
     subsection (a) available through the use of an automated 
     telephone-based system, subject to the same terms and 
     conditions applicable under this section to the services made 
     available online, in addition to making the services 
     available online in accordance with the requirements of this 
     section.
       ``(i) Nondiscrimination Among Registered Voters Using Mail 
     and Online Registration.--In carrying out this Act, the Help 
     America Vote Act of 2002, or any other Federal, State, or 
     local law governing the treatment of registered voters in the 
     State or the administration of elections for public office in 
     the State, a State shall treat a registered voter who 
     registered to vote online in accordance with this section in 
     the same manner as the State treats a registered voter who 
     registered to vote by mail.''.
       (b) Special Requirements for Individuals Using Online 
     Registration.--
       (1) Treatment as individuals registering to vote by mail 
     for purposes of first-time voter identification 
     requirements.--Section 303(b)(1)(A) of the Help America Vote 
     Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083(b)(1)(A)) is amended by striking 
     ``by mail'' and inserting ``by mail or online under section 
     6A of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993''.
       (2) Requiring signature for first-time voters in 
     jurisdiction.--Section 303(b) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
     21083(b)) is amended--
       (A) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(5) Signature requirements for first-time voters using 
     online registration.--
       ``(A) In general.--A State shall, in a uniform and 
     nondiscriminatory manner, require an individual to meet the 
     requirements of subparagraph (B) if--
       ``(i) the individual registered to vote in the State online 
     under section 6A of the National Voter Registration Act of 
     1993; and
       ``(ii) the individual has not previously voted in an 
     election for Federal office in the State.
       ``(B) Requirements.--An individual meets the requirements 
     of this subparagraph if--
       ``(i) in the case of an individual who votes in person, the 
     individual provides the appropriate State or local election 
     official with a handwritten signature; or
       ``(ii) in the case of an individual who votes by mail, the 
     individual submits with the ballot a handwritten signature.
       ``(C) Inapplicability.--Subparagraph (A) does not apply in 
     the case of an individual who is--
       ``(i) entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the 
     Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 
     U.S.C. 20302 et seq.);
       ``(ii) provided the right to vote otherwise than in person 
     under section 3(b)(2)(B)(ii) of the Voting Accessibility for 
     the Elderly and Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C. 
     20102(b)(2)(B)(ii)); or
       ``(iii) entitled to vote otherwise than in person under any 
     other Federal law.''.
       (3) Conforming amendment relating to effective date.--
     Section 303(d)(2)(A) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21083(d)(2)(A)) 
     is amended by striking ``Each State'' and inserting ``Except 
     as provided in subsection (b)(5), each State''.
       (c) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Timing of registration.--Section 8(a)(1) of the 
     National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
     20507(a)(1)) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (C);
       (B) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); 
     and
       (C) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(D) in the case of online registration through the 
     official public website of an election official under section 
     6A, if the valid voter registration application is submitted 
     online not later than the lesser of 30 days, or the period 
     provided by State law, before the date of the election (as 
     determined by treating the date on which the application is 
     sent electronically as the date on which it is submitted); 
     and''.
       (2) Informing applicants of eligibility requirements and 
     penalties.--Section 8(a)(5) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
     20507(a)(5)) is amended by striking ``and 7'' and inserting 
     ``6A, and 7''.

     SEC. 1002. USE OF INTERNET TO UPDATE REGISTRATION 
                   INFORMATION.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Updates to information contained on computerized 
     statewide voter registration list.--Section 303(a) of the 
     Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083(a)) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(6) Use of internet by registered voters to update 
     information.--
       ``(A) In general.--The appropriate State or local election 
     official shall ensure that any registered voter on the 
     computerized list may at any time update the voter's 
     registration information, including the voter's address and 
     electronic mail address, online through the official public 
     website of the election official responsible for the 
     maintenance of the list, so long as the voter attests to the 
     contents of the update by providing a signature in electronic 
     form in the same manner required under section 6A(c) of the 
     National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
       ``(B) Processing of updated information by election 
     officials.--If a registered voter updates registration 
     information under subparagraph (A), the appropriate State or 
     local election official shall--
       ``(i) revise any information on the computerized list to 
     reflect the update made by the voter; and
       ``(ii) if the updated registration information affects the 
     voter's eligibility to vote in an election for Federal 
     office, ensure that the information is processed with respect 
     to the election if the voter updates the information not 
     later than the lesser of 7 days, or the period provided by 
     State law, before the date of the election.
       ``(C) Confirmation and disposition.--
       ``(i) Confirmation of receipt.--Upon the online submission 
     of updated registration information by an individual under 
     this paragraph, the appropriate State or local election 
     official shall send the individual a notice confirming the 
     State's receipt of the updated information and providing 
     instructions on how the individual may check the status of 
     the update.
       ``(ii) Notice of disposition.--Not later than 7 days after 
     the appropriate State or local election official has accepted 
     or rejected updated information submitted by an individual 
     under this paragraph, the official shall send the individual 
     a notice of the disposition of the update.
       ``(iii) Method of notification.--The appropriate State or 
     local election official shall send the notices required under 
     this subparagraph by regular mail, and, in the case of an 
     individual who has requested that the State provide voter 
     registration and voting information through electronic mail, 
     by both electronic mail and regular mail.''.
       (2) Conforming amendment relating to effective date.--
     Section 303(d)(1)(A) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21083(d)(1)(A)) 
     is amended by striking ``subparagraph (B)'' and inserting 
     ``subparagraph (B) and subsection (a)(6)''.
       (b) Ability of Registrant To Use Online Update To Provide 
     Information on Residence.--Section 8(d)(2)(A) of the National 
     Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(d)(2)(A)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in the first sentence, by inserting after ``return the 
     card'' the following: ``or update the registrant's 
     information on the computerized Statewide voter registration 
     list using the online method provided under section 303(a)(6) 
     of the Help America Vote Act of 2002''; and
       (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``returned,'' and 
     inserting the following: ``returned or if the registrant does 
     not update the registrant's information on the computerized 
     Statewide voter registration list using such online 
     method,''.

     SEC. 1003. PROVISION OF ELECTION INFORMATION BY ELECTRONIC 
                   MAIL TO INDIVIDUALS REGISTERED TO VOTE.

       (a) Including Option on Voter Registration Application To 
     Provide E-Mail Address and Receive Information.--
       (1) In general.--Section 9(b) of the National Voter 
     Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20508(b)) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (3);
       (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (4) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(5) shall include a space for the applicant to provide 
     (at the applicant's option) an electronic mail address, 
     together with a statement that, if the applicant so requests, 
     instead of using regular mail the appropriate State and local 
     election officials shall provide to the applicant, through 
     electronic mail sent to that address, the same voting 
     information (as defined in section 302(b)(2) of the Help 
     America Vote Act of 2002) which the officials would provide 
     to the applicant through regular mail.''.
       (2) Prohibiting use for purposes unrelated to official 
     duties of election officials.--Section 9 of such Act (52 
     U.S.C. 20508) is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new subsection:
       ``(c) Prohibiting Use of Electronic Mail Addresses for 
     Other Than Official Purposes.--The chief State election 
     official shall ensure that any electronic mail address 
     provided by an applicant under subsection (b)(5) is used only 
     for purposes of carrying out official duties of election 
     officials and is not transmitted by any State or local 
     election official (or any agent of such an official, 
     including a contractor) to any person who does not require 
     the address to carry out such official duties and who is not 
     under the direct supervision and control of a State or local 
     election official.''.
       (b) Requiring Provision of Information by Election 
     Officials.--Section 302(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 
     2002 (52 U.S.C. 21082(b)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new paragraph:
       ``(3) Provision of other information by electronic mail.--
     If an individual who is a registered voter has provided the 
     State or local election official with an electronic mail 
     address for the purpose of receiving voting information (as 
     described in section 9(b)(5) of the National Voter 
     Registration Act of 1993), the appropriate State or local 
     election official, through electronic mail transmitted not 
     later than 7 days before the

[[Page H2415]]

     date of the election for Federal office involved, shall 
     provide the individual with information on how to obtain the 
     following information by electronic means:
       ``(A) The name and address of the polling place at which 
     the individual is assigned to vote in the election.
       ``(B) The hours of operation for the polling place.
       ``(C) A description of any identification or other 
     information the individual may be required to present at the 
     polling place.''.

     SEC. 1004. CLARIFICATION OF REQUIREMENT REGARDING NECESSARY 
                   INFORMATION TO SHOW ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE.

       Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 
     (52 U.S.C. 20507) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (i) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(j) Requirement for State To Register Applicants 
     Providing Necessary Information To Show Eligibility To 
     Vote.--For purposes meeting the requirement of subsection 
     (a)(1) that an eligible applicant is registered to vote in an 
     election for Federal office within the deadlines required 
     under such subsection, the State shall consider an applicant 
     to have provided a `valid voter registration form' if--
       ``(1) the applicant has substantially completed the 
     application form and attested to the statement required by 
     section 9(b)(2); and
       ``(2) in the case of an applicant who registers to vote 
     online in accordance with section 6A, the applicant provides 
     a signature in accordance with subsection (c) of such 
     section.''.

     SEC. 1005. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
     amendments made by this part (other than the amendments made 
     by section 1004) shall take effect January 1, 2020.
       (b) Waiver.--Subject to the approval of the Election 
     Assistance Commission, if a State certifies to the Election 
     Assistance Commission that the State will not meet the 
     deadline referred to in subsection (a) because of 
     extraordinary circumstances and includes in the certification 
     the reasons for the failure to meet the deadline, subsection 
     (a) shall apply to the State as if the reference in such 
     subsection to ``January 1, 2020'' were a reference to 
     ``January 1, 2022''.

                  PART 2--AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION

     SEC. 1011. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Short Title.--This part may be cited as the ``Automatic 
     Voter Registration Act of 2019''.
       (b) Findings and Purpose.--
       (1) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (A) the right to vote is a fundamental right of citizens of 
     the United States;
       (B) it is the responsibility of the State and Federal 
     Governments to ensure that every eligible citizen is 
     registered to vote;
       (C) existing voter registration systems can be inaccurate, 
     costly, inaccessible and confusing, with damaging effects on 
     voter participation in elections and disproportionate impacts 
     on young people, persons with disabilities, and racial and 
     ethnic minorities; and
       (D) voter registration systems must be updated with 21st 
     Century technologies and procedures to maintain their 
     security.
       (2) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this part--
       (A) to establish that it is the responsibility of 
     government at every level to ensure that all eligible 
     citizens are registered to vote;
       (B) to enable the State and Federal Governments to register 
     all eligible citizens to vote with accurate, cost-efficient, 
     and up-to-date procedures;
       (C) to modernize voter registration and list maintenance 
     procedures with electronic and Internet capabilities; and
       (D) to protect and enhance the integrity, accuracy, 
     efficiency, and accessibility of the electoral process for 
     all eligible citizens.

     SEC. 1012. AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION OF ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.

       (a) Requiring States to Establish and Operate Automatic 
     Registration System.--
       (1) In general.--The chief State election official of each 
     State shall establish and operate a system of automatic 
     registration for the registration of eligible individuals to 
     vote for elections for Federal office in the State, in 
     accordance with the provisions of this part.
       (2) Definition.--The term ``automatic registration'' means 
     a system that registers an individual to vote in elections 
     for Federal office in a State, if eligible, by electronically 
     transferring the information necessary for registration from 
     government agencies to election officials of the State so 
     that, unless the individual affirmatively declines to be 
     registered, the individual will be registered to vote in such 
     elections.
       (b) Registration of Voters Based on New Agency Records.--
     The chief State election official shall--
       (1) not later than 15 days after a contributing agency has 
     transmitted information with respect to an individual 
     pursuant to section 1013, ensure that the individual is 
     registered to vote in elections for Federal office in the 
     State if the individual is eligible to be registered to vote 
     in such elections; and
       (2) not later than 120 days after a contributing agency has 
     transmitted such information with respect to the individual, 
     send written notice to the individual, in addition to other 
     means of notice established by this part, of the individual's 
     voter registration status.
       (c) One-time Registration of Voters Based on Existing 
     Contributing Agency Records.--The chief State election 
     official shall--
       (1) identify all individuals whose information is 
     transmitted by a contributing agency pursuant to section 1014 
     and who are eligible to be, but are not currently, registered 
     to vote in that State;
       (2) promptly send each such individual written notice, in 
     addition to other means of notice established by this part, 
     which shall not identify the contributing agency that 
     transmitted the information but shall include--
       (A) an explanation that voter registration is voluntary, 
     but if the individual does not decline registration, the 
     individual will be registered to vote;
       (B) a statement offering the opportunity to decline voter 
     registration through means consistent with the requirements 
     of this part;
       (C) in the case of a State in which affiliation or 
     enrollment with a political party is required in order to 
     participate in an election to select the party's candidate in 
     an election for Federal office, a statement offering the 
     individual the opportunity to affiliate or enroll with a 
     political party or to decline to affiliate or enroll with a 
     political party, through means consistent with the 
     requirements of this part;
       (D) the substantive qualifications of an elector in the 
     State as listed in the mail voter registration application 
     form for elections for Federal office prescribed pursuant to 
     section 9 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, the 
     consequences of false registration, and a statement that the 
     individual should decline to register if the individual does 
     not meet all those qualifications;
       (E) instructions for correcting any erroneous information; 
     and
       (F) instructions for providing any additional information 
     which is listed in the mail voter registration application 
     form for elections for Federal office prescribed pursuant to 
     section 9 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993;
       (3) ensure that each such individual who is eligible to 
     register to vote in elections for Federal office in the State 
     is promptly registered to vote not later than 45 days after 
     the official sends the individual the written notice under 
     paragraph (2), unless, during the 30-day period which begins 
     on the date the election official sends the individual such 
     written notice, the individual declines registration in 
     writing, through a communication made over the Internet, or 
     by an officially-logged telephone communication; and
       (4) send written notice to each such individual, in 
     addition to other means of notice established by this part, 
     of the individual's voter registration status.
       (d) Treatment of Individuals Under 18 Years of Age.--A 
     State may not refuse to treat an individual as an eligible 
     individual for purposes of this part on the grounds that the 
     individual is less than 18 years of age at the time a 
     contributing agency receives information with respect to the 
     individual, so long as the individual is at least 16 years of 
     age at such time.
       (e) Contributing Agency Defined.--In this part, the term 
     ``contributing agency'' means, with respect to a State, an 
     agency listed in section 1013(e).

     SEC. 1013. CONTRIBUTING AGENCY ASSISTANCE IN REGISTRATION.

       (a) In General.--In accordance with this part, each 
     contributing agency in a State shall assist the State's chief 
     election official in registering to vote all eligible 
     individuals served by that agency.
       (b) Requirements for Contributing Agencies.--
       (1) Instructions on automatic registration.--With each 
     application for service or assistance, and with each related 
     recertification, renewal, or change of address, or, in the 
     case of an institution of higher education, with each 
     registration of a student for enrollment in a course of 
     study, each contributing agency that (in the normal course of 
     its operations) requests individuals to affirm United States 
     citizenship (either directly or as part of the overall 
     application for service or assistance) shall inform each such 
     individual who is a citizen of the United States of the 
     following:
       (A) Unless that individual declines to register to vote, or 
     is found ineligible to vote, the individual will be 
     registered to vote or, if applicable, the individual's 
     registration will be updated.
       (B) The substantive qualifications of an elector in the 
     State as listed in the mail voter registration application 
     form for elections for Federal office prescribed pursuant to 
     section 9 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, the 
     consequences of false registration, and the individual should 
     decline to register if the individual does not meet all those 
     qualifications.
       (C) In the case of a State in which affiliation or 
     enrollment with a political party is required in order to 
     participate in an election to select the party's candidate in 
     an election for Federal office, the requirement that the 
     individual must affiliate or enroll with a political party in 
     order to participate in such an election.
       (D) Voter registration is voluntary, and neither 
     registering nor declining to register

[[Page H2416]]

     to vote will in any way affect the availability of services 
     or benefits, nor be used for other purposes.
       (2) Opportunity to decline registration required.--Each 
     contributing agency shall ensure that each application for 
     service or assistance, and each related recertification, 
     renewal, or change of address, or, in the case of an 
     institution of higher education, each registration of a 
     student for enrollment in a course of study, cannot be 
     completed until the individual is given the opportunity to 
     decline to be registered to vote.
       (3) Information transmittal.--Upon the expiration of the 
     30-day period which begins on the date the contributing 
     agency informs the individual of the information described in 
     paragraph (1), each contributing agency shall electronically 
     transmit to the appropriate State election official, in a 
     format compatible with the statewide voter database 
     maintained under section 303 of the Help America Vote Act of 
     2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083), the following information, unless 
     during such 30-day period the individual declined to be 
     registered to vote:
       (A) The individual's given name(s) and surname(s).
       (B) The individual's date of birth.
       (C) The individual's residential address.
       (D) Information showing that the individual is a citizen of 
     the United States.
       (E) The date on which information pertaining to that 
     individual was collected or last updated.
       (F) If available, the individual's signature in electronic 
     form.
       (G) Information regarding the individual's affiliation or 
     enrollment with a political party, if the individual provides 
     such information.
       (H) Any additional information listed in the mail voter 
     registration application form for elections for Federal 
     office prescribed pursuant to section 9 of the National Voter 
     Registration Act of 1993, including any valid driver's 
     license number or the last 4 digits of the individual's 
     social security number, if the individual provided such 
     information.
       (c) Alternate Procedure for Certain Contributing 
     Agencies.--With each application for service or assistance, 
     and with each related recertification, renewal, or change of 
     address, any contributing agency that in the normal course of 
     its operations does not request individuals applying for 
     service or assistance to affirm United States citizenship 
     (either directly or as part of the overall application for 
     service or assistance) shall--
       (1) complete the requirements of section 7(a)(6) of the 
     National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
     20506(a)(6));
       (2) ensure that each applicant's transaction with the 
     agency cannot be completed until the applicant has indicated 
     whether the applicant wishes to register to vote or declines 
     to register to vote in elections for Federal office held in 
     the State; and
       (3) for each individual who wishes to register to vote, 
     transmit that individual's information in accordance with 
     subsection (b)(3).
       (d) Required Availability of Automatic Registration 
     Opportunity With Each Application for Service or 
     Assistance.--Each contributing agency shall offer each 
     individual, with each application for service or assistance, 
     and with each related recertification, renewal, or change of 
     address, or in the case of an institution of higher 
     education, with each registration of a student for enrollment 
     in a course of study, the opportunity to register to vote as 
     prescribed by this section without regard to whether the 
     individual previously declined a registration opportunity.
       (e) Contributing Agencies.--
       (1) State agencies.--In each State, each of the following 
     agencies shall be treated as a contributing agency:
       (A) Each agency in a State that is required by Federal law 
     to provide voter registration services, including the State 
     motor vehicle authority and other voter registration agencies 
     under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
       (B) Each agency in a State that administers a program 
     pursuant to title III of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     501 et seq.), title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1396 et seq.), or the Patient Protection and Affordable Care 
     Act (Public Law 111-148).
       (C) Each State agency primarily responsible for regulating 
     the private possession of firearms.
       (D) Each State agency primarily responsible for maintaining 
     identifying information for students enrolled at public 
     secondary schools, including, where applicable, the State 
     agency responsible for maintaining the education data system 
     described in section 6201(e)(2) of the America COMPETES Act 
     (20 U.S.C. 9871(e)(2)).
       (E) In the case of a State in which an individual 
     disenfranchised by a criminal conviction may become eligible 
     to vote upon completion of a criminal sentence or any part 
     thereof, or upon formal restoration of rights, the State 
     agency responsible for administering that sentence, or part 
     thereof, or that restoration of rights.
       (F) Any other agency of the State which is designated by 
     the State as a contributing agency.
       (2) Federal agencies.--In each State, each of the following 
     agencies of the Federal government shall be treated as a 
     contributing agency with respect to individuals who are 
     residents of that State (except as provided in subparagraph 
     (C)):
       (A) The Social Security Administration, the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, the Defense Manpower Data Center of the 
     Department of Defense, the Employee and Training 
     Administration of the Department of Labor, and the Center for 
     Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and 
     Human Services.
       (B) The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, but 
     only with respect to individuals who have completed the 
     naturalization process.
       (C) In the case of an individual who is a resident of a 
     State in which an individual disenfranchised by a criminal 
     conviction under Federal law may become eligible to vote upon 
     completion of a criminal sentence or any part thereof, or 
     upon formal restoration of rights, the Federal agency 
     responsible for administering that sentence or part thereof 
     (without regard to whether the agency is located in the same 
     State in which the individual is a resident), but only with 
     respect to individuals who have completed the criminal 
     sentence or any part thereof.
       (D) Any other agency of the Federal government which the 
     State designates as a contributing agency, but only if the 
     State and the head of the agency determine that the agency 
     collects information sufficient to carry out the 
     responsibilities of a contributing agency under this section.
       (3) Special rule for institutions of higher education.--
       (A) Special rule.--For purposes of this part, each 
     institution of higher education described in subparagraph (B) 
     shall be treated as a contributing agency in the State in 
     which it is located, except that--
       (i) the institution shall be treated as a contributing 
     agency only if, in its normal course of operations, the 
     institution requests each student registering for enrollment 
     in a course of study, including enrollment in a program of 
     distance education, as defined in section 103(7) of the 
     Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003(7)), to affirm 
     whether or not the student is a United States citizen; and
       (ii) if the institution is treated as a contributing agency 
     in a State pursuant to clause (i), the institution shall 
     serve as a contributing agency only with respect to students, 
     including students enrolled in a program of distance 
     education, as defined in section 103(7) of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003(7)), who reside in the 
     State.
       (B) Institutions described.--An institution described in 
     this subparagraph is an institution of higher education which 
     has a program participation agreement in effect with the 
     Secretary of Education under section 487 of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094) and which is located 
     in a State to which section 4(b) of the National Voter 
     Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20503(b)) does not apply.
       (4) Publication.--Not later than 180 days prior to the date 
     of each election for Federal office held in the State, the 
     chief State election official shall publish on the public 
     website of the official an updated list of all contributing 
     agencies in that State.
       (5) Public education.--The chief State election official of 
     each State, in collaboration with each contributing agency, 
     shall take appropriate measures to educate the public about 
     voter registration under this section.

     SEC. 1014. ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTING AGENCY ASSISTANCE IN 
                   REGISTRATION OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN EXISTING 
                   RECORDS.

       (a) Initial Transmittal of Information.--For each 
     individual already listed in a contributing agency's records 
     as of the date of enactment of this Act, and for whom the 
     agency has the information listed in section 1013(b)(3), the 
     agency shall promptly transmit that information to the 
     appropriate State election official in accordance with 
     section 1013(b)(3) not later than the effective date 
     described in section 1011(a).
       (b) Transition.--For each individual listed in a 
     contributing agency's records as of the effective date 
     described in section 1011(a) (but who was not listed in a 
     contributing agency's records as of the date of enactment of 
     this Act), and for whom the agency has the information listed 
     in section 1013(b)(3), the Agency shall promptly transmit 
     that information to the appropriate State election official 
     in accordance with section 1013(b)(3) not later than 6 months 
     after the effective date described in section 1011(a).

     SEC. 1015. VOTER PROTECTION AND SECURITY IN AUTOMATIC 
                   REGISTRATION.

       (a) Protections for Errors in Registration.--An individual 
     shall not be prosecuted under any Federal or State law, 
     adversely affected in any civil adjudication concerning 
     immigration status or naturalization, or subject to an 
     allegation in any legal proceeding that the individual is not 
     a citizen of the United States on any of the following 
     grounds:
       (1) The individual notified an election office of the 
     individual's automatic registration to vote under this part.
       (2) The individual is not eligible to vote in elections for 
     Federal office but was automatically registered to vote under 
     this part.
       (3) The individual was automatically registered to vote 
     under this part at an incorrect address.
       (4) The individual declined the opportunity to register to 
     vote or did not make an affirmation of citizenship, including 
     through automatic registration, under this part.
       (b) Limits on Use of Automatic Registration.--The automatic 
     registration of any individual or the fact that an individual 
     declined the opportunity to register to vote or

[[Page H2417]]

     did not make an affirmation of citizenship (including through 
     automatic registration) under this part may not be used as 
     evidence against that individual in any State or Federal law 
     enforcement proceeding, and an individual's lack of knowledge 
     or willfulness of such registration may be demonstrated by 
     the individual's testimony alone.
       (c) Protection of Election Integrity.--Nothing in 
     subsections (a) or (b) may be construed to prohibit or 
     restrict any action under color of law against an individual 
     who--
       (1) knowingly and willfully makes a false statement to 
     effectuate or perpetuate automatic voter registration by any 
     individual; or
       (2) casts a ballot knowingly and willfully in violation of 
     State law or the laws of the United States.
       (d) Contributing Agencies' Protection of Information.--
     Nothing in this part authorizes a contributing agency to 
     collect, retain, transmit, or publicly disclose any of the 
     following:
       (1) An individual's decision to decline to register to vote 
     or not to register to vote.
       (2) An individual's decision not to affirm his or her 
     citizenship.
       (3) Any information that a contributing agency transmits 
     pursuant to section 1013(b)(3), except in pursuing the 
     agency's ordinary course of business.
       (e) Election Officials' Protection of Information.--
       (1) Public disclosure prohibited.--
       (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), with respect 
     to any individual for whom any State election official 
     receives information from a contributing agency, the State 
     election officials shall not publicly disclose any of the 
     following:
       (i) The identity of the contributing agency.
       (ii) Any information not necessary to voter registration.
       (iii) Any voter information otherwise shielded from 
     disclosure under State law or section 8(a) of the National 
     Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)).
       (iv) Any portion of the individual's social security 
     number.
       (v) Any portion of the individual's motor vehicle driver's 
     license number.
       (vi) The individual's signature.
       (vii) The individual's telephone number.
       (viii) The individual's email address.
       (B) Special rule for individuals registered to vote.--With 
     respect to any individual for whom any State election 
     official receives information from a contributing agency and 
     who, on the basis of such information, is registered to vote 
     in the State under this part, the State election officials 
     shall not publicly disclose any of the following:
       (i) The identity of the contributing agency.
       (ii) Any information not necessary to voter registration.
       (iii) Any voter information otherwise shielded from 
     disclosure under State law or section 8(a) of the National 
     Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)).
       (iv) Any portion of the individual's social security 
     number.
       (v) Any portion of the individual's motor vehicle driver's 
     license number.
       (vi) The individual's signature.
       (2) Voter record changes.--Each State shall maintain for at 
     least 2 years and shall make available for public inspection 
     (and, where available, photocopying at a reasonable cost), 
     including in electronic form and through electronic methods, 
     all records of changes to voter records, including removals, 
     the reasons for removals, and updates.
       (3) Database management standards.--The Director of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology shall, after 
     providing the public with notice and the opportunity to 
     comment--
       (A) establish standards governing the comparison of data 
     for voter registration list maintenance purposes, identifying 
     as part of such standards the specific data elements, the 
     matching rules used, and how a State may use the data to 
     determine and deem that an individual is ineligible under 
     State law to vote in an election, or to deem a record to be a 
     duplicate or outdated;
       (B) ensure that the standards developed pursuant to this 
     paragraph are uniform and nondiscriminatory and are applied 
     in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner; and
       (C) not later than 45 days after the deadline for public 
     notice and comment, publish the standards developed pursuant 
     to this paragraph on the Director's website and make those 
     standards available in written form upon request.
       (4) Security policy.--The Director of the National 
     Institute of Standards and Technology shall, after providing 
     the public with notice and the opportunity to comment, 
     publish privacy and security standards for voter registration 
     information not later than 45 days after the deadline for 
     public notice and comment. The standards shall require the 
     chief State election official of each State to adopt a policy 
     that shall specify--
       (A) each class of users who shall have authorized access to 
     the computerized statewide voter registration list, 
     specifying for each class the permission and levels of access 
     to be granted, and setting forth other safeguards to protect 
     the privacy, security, and accuracy of the information on the 
     list; and
       (B) security safeguards to protect personal information 
     transmitted through the information transmittal processes of 
     section 1013 or section 1014, the online system used pursuant 
     to section 1017, any telephone interface, the maintenance of 
     the voter registration database, and any audit procedure to 
     track access to the system.
       (5) State compliance with national standards.--
       (A) Certification.--The chief executive officer of the 
     State shall annually file with the Election Assistance 
     Commission a statement certifying to the Director of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology that the State 
     is in compliance with the standards referred to in paragraphs 
     (3) and (4). A State may meet the requirement of the previous 
     sentence by filing with the Commission a statement which 
     reads as follows: ``_____ hereby certifies that it is in 
     compliance with the standards referred to in paragraphs (3) 
     and (4) of section 1015(e) of the Automatic Voter 
     Registration Act of 2019.'' (with the blank to be filled in 
     with the name of the State involved).
       (B) Publication of policies and procedures.--The chief 
     State election official of a State shall publish on the 
     official's website the policies and procedures established 
     under this section, and shall make those policies and 
     procedures available in written form upon public request.
       (C) Funding dependent on certification.--If a State does 
     not timely file the certification required under this 
     paragraph, it shall not receive any payment under this part 
     for the upcoming fiscal year.
       (D) Compliance of states that require changes to state 
     law.--In the case of a State that requires State legislation 
     to carry out an activity covered by any certification 
     submitted under this paragraph, for a period of not more than 
     2 years the State shall be permitted to make the 
     certification notwithstanding that the legislation has not 
     been enacted at the time the certification is submitted, and 
     such State shall submit an additional certification once such 
     legislation is enacted.
       (f) Restrictions on Use of Information.--No person acting 
     under color of law may discriminate against any individual 
     based on, or use for any purpose other than voter 
     registration, election administration, or enforcement 
     relating to election crimes, any of the following:
       (1) Voter registration records.
       (2) An individual's declination to register to vote or 
     complete an affirmation of citizenship under section 1013(b).
       (3) An individual's voter registration status.
       (g) Prohibition on the Use of Voter Registration 
     Information for Commercial Purposes.--Information collected 
     under this part shall not be used for commercial purposes. 
     Nothing in this subsection may be construed to prohibit the 
     transmission, exchange, or dissemination of information for 
     political purposes, including the support of campaigns for 
     election for Federal, State, or local public office or the 
     activities of political committees (including committees of 
     political parties) under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
     1971.

     SEC. 1016. REGISTRATION PORTABILITY AND CORRECTION.

       (a) Correcting Registration Information at Polling Place.--
     Notwithstanding section 302(a) of the Help America Vote Act 
     of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21082(a)), if an individual is registered 
     to vote in elections for Federal office held in a State, the 
     appropriate election official at the polling pace for any 
     such election (including a location used as a polling place 
     on a date other than the date of the election) shall permit 
     the individual to--
       (1) update the individual's address for purposes of the 
     records of the election official;
       (2) correct any incorrect information relating to the 
     individual, including the individual's name and political 
     party affiliation, in the records of the election official; 
     and
       (3) cast a ballot in the election on the basis of the 
     updated address or corrected information, and to have the 
     ballot treated as a regular ballot and not as a provisional 
     ballot under section 302(a) of such Act.
       (b) Updates to Computerized Statewide Voter Registration 
     Lists.--If an election official at the polling place receives 
     an updated address or corrected information from an 
     individual under subsection (a), the official shall ensure 
     that the address or information is promptly entered into the 
     computerized Statewide voter registration list in accordance 
     with section 303(a)(1)(A)(vi) of the Help America Vote Act of 
     2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083(a)(1)(A)(vi)).

     SEC. 1017. PAYMENTS AND GRANTS.

       (a) In General.--The Election Assistance Commission shall 
     make grants to each eligible State to assist the State in 
     implementing the requirements of this part (or, in the case 
     of an exempt State, in implementing its existing automatic 
     voter registration program).
       (b) Eligibility; Application.--A State is eligible to 
     receive a grant under this section if the State submits to 
     the Commission, at such time and in such form as the 
     Commission may require, an application containing--
       (1) a description of the activities the State will carry 
     out with the grant;
       (2) an assurance that the State shall carry out such 
     activities without partisan bias and without promoting any 
     particular point of view regarding any issue; and
       (3) such other information and assurances as the Commission 
     may require.
       (c) Amount of Grant; Priorities.--The Commission shall 
     determine the amount of a grant made to an eligible State 
     under this

[[Page H2418]]

     section. In determining the amounts of the grants, the 
     Commission shall give priority to providing funds for those 
     activities which are most likely to accelerate compliance 
     with the requirements of this part (or, in the case of an 
     exempt State, which are most likely to enhance the ability of 
     the State to automatically register individuals to vote 
     through its existing automatic voter registration program), 
     including--
       (1) investments supporting electronic information transfer, 
     including electronic collection and transfer of signatures, 
     between contributing agencies and the appropriate State 
     election officials;
       (2) updates to online or electronic voter registration 
     systems already operating as of the date of the enactment of 
     this Act;
       (3) introduction of online voter registration systems in 
     jurisdictions in which those systems did not previously 
     exist; and
       (4) public education on the availability of new methods of 
     registering to vote, updating registration, and correcting 
     registration.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to carry out this section--
       (A) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; and
       (B) such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding 
     fiscal year.
       (2) Continuing availability of funds.--Any amounts 
     appropriated pursuant to the authority of this subsection 
     shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until 
     expended.

     SEC. 1018. TREATMENT OF EXEMPT STATES.

       (a) Waiver of Requirements.--Except as provided in 
     subsection (b), this part does not apply with respect to an 
     exempt State.
       (b) Exceptions.--The following provisions of this part 
     apply with respect to an exempt State:
       (1) section 1016 (relating to registration portability and 
     correction).
       (2) section 1017 (relating to payments and grants).
       (3) Section 1019(e) (relating to enforcement).
       (4) Section 1019(f) (relating to relation to other laws).

     SEC. 1019. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

       (a) Accessibility of Registration Services.--Each 
     contributing agency shall ensure that the services it 
     provides under this part are made available to individuals 
     with disabilities to the same extent as services are made 
     available to all other individuals.
       (b) Transmission Through Secure Third Party Permitted.--
     Nothing in this part shall be construed to prevent a 
     contributing agency from contracting with a third party to 
     assist the agency in meeting the information transmittal 
     requirements of this part, so long as the data transmittal 
     complies with the applicable requirements of this part, 
     including the privacy and security provisions of section 
     1015.
       (c) Nonpartisan, Nondiscriminatory Provision of Services.--
     The services made available by contributing agencies under 
     this part and by the State under sections 1015 and 1016 shall 
     be made in a manner consistent with paragraphs (4), (5), and 
     (6)(C) of section 7(a) of the National Voter Registration Act 
     of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20506(a)).
       (d) Notices.--Each State may send notices under this part 
     via electronic mail if the individual has provided an 
     electronic mail address and consented to electronic mail 
     communications for election-related materials. All notices 
     sent pursuant to this part that require a response must offer 
     the individual notified the opportunity to respond at no cost 
     to the individual.
       (e) Enforcement.--Section 11 of the National Voter 
     Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20510), relating to civil 
     enforcement and the availability of private rights of action, 
     shall apply with respect to this part in the same manner as 
     such section applies to such Act.
       (f) Relation to Other Laws.--Except as provided, nothing in 
     this part may be construed to authorize or require conduct 
     prohibited under, or to supersede, restrict, or limit the 
     application of any of the following:
       (1) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et 
     seq.).
       (2) The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act 
     (52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq.).
       (3) The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
     20501 et seq.).
       (4) The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20901 et 
     seq.).

     SEC. 1020. DEFINITIONS.

       In this part, the following definitions apply:
       (1) The term ``chief State election official'' means, with 
     respect to a State, the individual designated by the State 
     under section 10 of the National Voter Registration Act of 
     1993 (52 U.S.C. 20509) to be responsible for coordination of 
     the State's responsibilities under such Act.
       (2) The term ``Commission'' means the Election Assistance 
     Commission.
       (3) The term ``exempt State'' means a State which, under 
     law which is in effect continuously on and after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, operates an automatic voter 
     registration program under which an individual is 
     automatically registered to vote in elections for Federal 
     office in the State if the individual provides the motor 
     vehicle authority of the State (or, in the case of a State in 
     which an individual is automatically registered to vote at 
     the time the individual applies for benefits or services with 
     a Permanent Dividend Fund of the State, provides the 
     appropriate official of such Fund) with such identifying 
     information as the State may require.
       (4) The term ``State'' means each of the several States and 
     the District of Columbia.

     SEC. 1021. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), this 
     part and the amendments made by this part shall apply with 
     respect to a State beginning January 1, 2021.
       (b) Waiver.--Subject to the approval of the Commission, if 
     a State certifies to the Commission that the State will not 
     meet the deadline referred to in subsection (a) because of 
     extraordinary circumstances and includes in the certification 
     the reasons for the failure to meet the deadline, subsection 
     (a) shall apply to the State as if the reference in such 
     subsection to ``January 1, 2021'' were a reference to 
     ``January 1, 2023''.

                  PART 3--SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION

     SEC. 1031. SAME DAY REGISTRATION.

       (a) In General.--Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 
     2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating sections 304 and 305 as sections 305 
     and 306; and
       (2) by inserting after section 303 the following new 
     section:

     ``SEC. 304. SAME DAY REGISTRATION.

       ``(a) In General.--
       ``(1) Registration.--Each State shall permit any eligible 
     individual on the day of a Federal election and on any day 
     when voting, including early voting, is permitted for a 
     Federal election--
       ``(A) to register to vote in such election at the polling 
     place using a form that meets the requirements under section 
     9(b) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (or, if 
     the individual is already registered to vote, to revise any 
     of the individual's voter registration information); and
       ``(B) to cast a vote in such election.
       ``(2) Exception.--The requirements under paragraph (1) 
     shall not apply to a State in which, under a State law in 
     effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of 
     this section, there is no voter registration requirement for 
     individuals in the State with respect to elections for 
     Federal office.
       ``(b) Eligible Individual.--For purposes of this section, 
     the term `eligible individual' means, with respect to any 
     election for Federal office, an individual who is otherwise 
     qualified to vote in that election.
       ``(c) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to 
     comply with the requirements of subsection (a) for the 
     regularly scheduled general election for Federal office 
     occurring in November 2020 and for any subsequent election 
     for Federal office.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Enforcement.--Section 
     401 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21111) is amended by striking 
     ``sections 301, 302, and 303'' and inserting ``subtitle A of 
     title III''.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act 
     is amended--
       (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 304 and 
     305 as relating to sections 305 and 306; and
       (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 304. Same day registration.''.

   PART 4--CONDITIONS ON REMOVAL ON BASIS OF INTERSTATE CROSS-CHECKS

     SEC. 1041. CONDITIONS ON REMOVAL OF REGISTRANTS FROM OFFICIAL 
                   LIST OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS ON BASIS OF INTERSTATE 
                   CROSS-CHECKS.

       (a) Minimum Information Required for Removal Under Cross-
     check.--Section 8(c)(2) of the National Voter Registration 
     Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(c)(2)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D); 
     and
       (2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
     subparagraphs:
       ``(B) To the extent that the program carried out by a State 
     under subparagraph (A) to systematically remove the names of 
     ineligible voters from the official lists of eligible voters 
     uses information obtained in an interstate cross-check, in 
     addition to any other conditions imposed under this Act on 
     the authority of the State to remove the name of the voter 
     from such a list, the State may not remove the name of the 
     voter from such a list unless--
       ``(i) the State obtained the voter's full name (including 
     the voter's middle name, if any) and date of birth, and the 
     last 4 digits of the voter's social security number, in the 
     interstate cross-check; or
       ``(ii) the State obtained documentation from the ERIC 
     system that the voter is no longer a resident of the State.
       ``(C) In this paragraph--
       ``(i) the term `interstate cross-check' means the 
     transmission of information from an election official in one 
     State to an election official of another State; and
       ``(ii) the term `ERIC system' means the system operated by 
     the Electronic Registration Information Center to share voter 
     registration information and voter identification information 
     among participating States.''.
       (b) Requiring Completion of Cross-checks Not Later Than 6 
     Months Prior to Election.--Subparagraph (A) of section 
     8(c)(2) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20507(c)(2)) is amended by 
     striking ``not later than 90 days'' and inserting the 
     following: ``not later than 90 days (or, in the case of a 
     program in which the State uses interstate cross-checks, not 
     later than 6 months)''.
       (c) Conforming Amendment.--Subparagraph (D) of section 
     8(c)(2) of such Act (52

[[Page H2419]]

     U.S.C. 20507(c)(2)), as redesignated by subsection (a)(1), is 
     amended by striking ``Subparagraph (A)'' and inserting ``This 
     paragraph''.
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall 
     apply with respect to elections held on or after the 
     expiration of the 6-month period which begins on the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.

        PART 5--OTHER INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE VOTER REGISTRATION

     SEC. 1051. ANNUAL REPORTS ON VOTER REGISTRATION STATISTICS.

       (a) Annual Report.--Not later than 90 days after the end of 
     each year, each State shall submit to the Election Assistance 
     Commission and Congress a report containing the following 
     categories of information for the year:
       (1) The number of individuals who were registered under 
     part 2.
       (2) The number of voter registration application forms 
     completed by individuals that were transmitted by motor 
     vehicle authorities in the State (pursuant to section 5(d) of 
     the National Voter Registration Act of 1993) and voter 
     registration agencies in the State (as designated under 
     section 7 of such Act) to the chief State election official 
     of the State, broken down by each such authority and agency.
       (3) The number of such individuals whose voter registration 
     application forms were accepted and who were registered to 
     vote in the State and the number of such individuals whose 
     forms were rejected and who were not registered to vote in 
     the State, broken down by each such authority and agency.
       (4) The number of change of address forms and other forms 
     of information indicating that an individual's identifying 
     information has been changed that were transmitted by such 
     motor vehicle authorities and voter registration agencies to 
     the chief State election official of the State, broken down 
     by each such authority and agency and the type of form 
     transmitted.
       (5) The number of individuals on the Statewide computerized 
     voter registration list (as established and maintained under 
     section 303 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002) whose voter 
     registration information was revised by the chief State 
     election official as a result of the forms transmitted to the 
     official by such motor vehicle authorities and voter 
     registration agencies (as described in paragraph (3)), broken 
     down by each such authority and agency and the type of form 
     transmitted.
       (6) The number of individuals who requested the chief State 
     election official to revise voter registration information on 
     such list, and the number of individuals whose information 
     was revised as a result of such a request.
       (b) Breakdown of Information by Race and Ethnicity of 
     Individuals.--In preparing the report under this section, the 
     State shall, for each category of information described in 
     subsection (a), include a breakdown by race and ethnicity of 
     the individuals whose information is included in the 
     category, to the extent that information on the race and 
     ethnicity of such individuals is available to the State.
       (c) Confidentiality of Information.--In preparing and 
     submitting a report under this section, the chief State 
     election official shall ensure that no information regarding 
     the identification of any individual is revealed.
       (d) State Defined.--In this section, a ``State'' includes 
     the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
     the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and 
     the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, but does 
     not include any State in which, under a State law in effect 
     continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, there is no voter registration requirement for 
     individuals in the State with respect to elections for 
     Federal office.

           PART 6--AVAILABILITY OF HAVA REQUIREMENTS PAYMENTS

     SEC. 1061. AVAILABILITY OF REQUIREMENTS PAYMENTS UNDER HAVA 
                   TO COVER COSTS OF COMPLIANCE WITH NEW 
                   REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 251(b) of the Help America Vote 
     Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21001(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``as provided in 
     paragraphs (2) and (3)'' and inserting ``as otherwise 
     provided in this subsection''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) Certain voter registration activities.--A State may 
     use a requirements payment to carry out any of the 
     requirements of the Voter Registration Modernization Act of 
     2019, including the requirements of the National Voter 
     Registration Act of 1993 which are imposed pursuant to the 
     amendments made to such Act by the Voter Registration 
     Modernization Act of 2019.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 254(a)(1) of such Act 
     (52 U.S.C. 21004(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``section 
     251(a)(2)'' and inserting ``section 251(b)(2)''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2018 and each 
     succeeding fiscal year.

        PART 7--PROHIBITING INTERFERENCE WITH VOTER REGISTRATION

     SEC. 1071. PROHIBITING HINDERING, INTERFERING WITH, OR 
                   PREVENTING VOTER REGISTRATION.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

     ``Sec. 612. Hindering, interfering with, or preventing 
       registering to vote

       ``(a) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any person, 
     whether acting under color of law or otherwise, to corruptly 
     hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from 
     registering to vote or to corruptly hinder, interfere with, 
     or prevent another person from aiding another person in 
     registering to vote.
       ``(b) Attempt.--Any person who attempts to commit any 
     offense described in subsection (a) shall be subject to the 
     same penalties as those prescribed for the offense that the 
     person attempted to commit.
       ``(c) Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (a) 
     shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 
     years, or both.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     29 of title 18, United States Code is amended by adding at 
     the end the following new item:

``612. Hindering, interfering with, or preventing registering to 
              vote.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to elections held on or after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, except that no person may 
     be found to have violated section 612 of title 18, United 
     States Code (as added by subsection (a)), on the basis of any 
     act occurring prior to the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 1072. ESTABLISHMENT OF BEST PRACTICES.

       (a) Best Practices.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Election Assistance 
     Commission shall develop and publish recommendations for best 
     practices for States to use to deter and prevent violations 
     of section 612 of title 18, United States Code (as added by 
     section 1071), and section 12 of the National Voter 
     Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20511) (relating to the 
     unlawful interference with registering to vote, or voting, or 
     attempting to register to vote or vote), including practices 
     to provide for the posting of relevant information at polling 
     places and voter registration agencies under such Act, the 
     training of poll workers and election officials, and relevant 
     educational materials. For purposes of this subsection, the 
     term ``State'' includes the District of Columbia, the 
     Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United 
     States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
     Mariana Islands.
       (b) Inclusion in Voter Information Requirements.--Section 
     302(b)(2) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 
     21082(b)(2)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (E);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (F) 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(G) information relating to the prohibitions of section 
     612 of title 18, United States Code, and section 12 of the 
     National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20511) 
     (relating to the unlawful interference with registering to 
     vote, or voting, or attempting to register to vote or vote), 
     including information on how individuals may report 
     allegations of violations of such prohibitions.''.

     Subtitle B--Access to Voting for Individuals With Disabilities

     SEC. 1101. REQUIREMENTS FOR STATES TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO VOTER 
                   REGISTRATION AND VOTING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH 
                   DISABILITIES.

       (a) Requirements.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help 
     America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as 
     amended by section 1031(a), is amended--
       (1) by redesignating sections 305 and 306 as sections 306 
     and 307; and
       (2) by inserting after section 304 the following new 
     section:

     ``SEC. 305. ACCESS TO VOTER REGISTRATION AND VOTING FOR 
                   INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

       ``(a) Treatment of Applications and Ballots.--Each State 
     shall--
       ``(1) permit individuals with disabilities to use absentee 
     registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in 
     elections for Federal office;
       ``(2) accept and process, with respect to any election for 
     Federal office, any otherwise valid voter registration 
     application and absentee ballot application from an 
     individual with a disability if the application is received 
     by the appropriate State election official within the 
     deadline for the election which is applicable under Federal 
     law;
       ``(3) in addition to any other method of registering to 
     vote or applying for an absentee ballot in the State, 
     establish procedures--
       ``(A) for individuals with disabilities to request by mail 
     and electronically voter registration applications and 
     absentee ballot applications with respect to elections for 
     Federal office in accordance with subsection (c);
       ``(B) for States to send by mail and electronically (in 
     accordance with the preferred method of transmission 
     designated by the individual under subparagraph (C)) voter 
     registration applications and absentee ballot applications 
     requested under subparagraph (A) in accordance with 
     subsection (c); and
       ``(C) by which such an individual can designate whether the 
     individual prefers that such voter registration application 
     or absentee ballot application be transmitted by mail or 
     electronically;

[[Page H2420]]

       ``(4) in addition to any other method of transmitting blank 
     absentee ballots in the State, establish procedures for 
     transmitting by mail and electronically blank absentee 
     ballots to individuals with disabilities with respect to 
     elections for Federal office in accordance with subsection 
     (d);
       ``(5) transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an 
     individual with a disability--
       ``(A) except as provided in subsection (e), in the case in 
     which the request is received at least 45 days before an 
     election for Federal office, not later than 45 days before 
     the election; and
       ``(B) in the case in which the request is received less 
     than 45 days before an election for Federal office--
       ``(i) in accordance with State law; and
       ``(ii) if practicable and as determined appropriate by the 
     State, in a manner that expedites the transmission of such 
     absentee ballot; and
       ``(6) if the State declares or otherwise holds a runoff 
     election for Federal office, establish a written plan that 
     provides absentee ballots are made available to individuals 
     with disabilities in a manner that gives them sufficient time 
     to vote in the runoff election.
       ``(b) Designation of Single State Office To Provide 
     Information on Registration and Absentee Ballot Procedures 
     for All Disabled Voters in State.--Each State shall designate 
     a single office which shall be responsible for providing 
     information regarding voter registration procedures and 
     absentee ballot procedures to be used by individuals with 
     disabilities with respect to elections for Federal office to 
     all individuals with disabilities who wish to register to 
     vote or vote in any jurisdiction in the State.
       ``(c) Designation of Means of Electronic Communication for 
     Individuals With Disabilities To Request and for States To 
     Send Voter Registration Applications and Absentee Ballot 
     Applications, and for Other Purposes Related to Voting 
     Information.--
       ``(1) In general.--Each State shall, in addition to the 
     designation of a single State office under subsection (b), 
     designate not less than 1 means of electronic communication--
       ``(A) for use by individuals with disabilities who wish to 
     register to vote or vote in any jurisdiction in the State to 
     request voter registration applications and absentee ballot 
     applications under subsection (a)(3);
       ``(B) for use by States to send voter registration 
     applications and absentee ballot applications requested under 
     such subsection; and
       ``(C) for the purpose of providing related voting, 
     balloting, and election information to individuals with 
     disabilities.
       ``(2) Clarification regarding provision of multiple means 
     of electronic communication.--A State may, in addition to the 
     means of electronic communication so designated, provide 
     multiple means of electronic communication to individuals 
     with disabilities, including a means of electronic 
     communication for the appropriate jurisdiction of the State.
       ``(3) Inclusion of designated means of electronic 
     communication with informational and instructional materials 
     that accompany balloting materials.--Each State shall include 
     a means of electronic communication so designated with all 
     informational and instructional materials that accompany 
     balloting materials sent by the State to individuals with 
     disabilities.
       ``(4) Transmission if no preference indicated.--In the case 
     where an individual with a disability does not designate a 
     preference under subsection (a)(3)(C), the State shall 
     transmit the voter registration application or absentee 
     ballot application by any delivery method allowable in 
     accordance with applicable State law, or if there is no 
     applicable State law, by mail.
       ``(d) Transmission of Blank Absentee Ballots by Mail and 
     Electronically.--
       ``(1) In general.--Each State shall establish procedures--
       ``(A) to securely transmit blank absentee ballots by mail 
     and electronically (in accordance with the preferred method 
     of transmission designated by the individual with a 
     disability under subparagraph (B)) to individuals with 
     disabilities for an election for Federal office; and
       ``(B) by which the individual with a disability can 
     designate whether the individual prefers that such blank 
     absentee ballot be transmitted by mail or electronically.
       ``(2) Transmission if no preference indicated.--In the case 
     where an individual with a disability does not designate a 
     preference under paragraph (1)(B), the State shall transmit 
     the ballot by any delivery method allowable in accordance 
     with applicable State law, or if there is no applicable State 
     law, by mail.
       ``(3) Application of methods to track delivery to and 
     return of ballot by individual requesting ballot.--Under the 
     procedures established under paragraph (1), the State shall 
     apply such methods as the State considers appropriate, such 
     as assigning a unique identifier to the ballot, to ensure 
     that if an individual with a disability requests the State to 
     transmit a blank absentee ballot to the individual in 
     accordance with this subsection, the voted absentee ballot 
     which is returned by the individual is the same blank 
     absentee ballot which the State transmitted to the 
     individual.
       ``(e) Hardship Exemption.--
       ``(1) In general.--If the chief State election official 
     determines that the State is unable to meet the requirement 
     under subsection (a)(5)(A) with respect to an election for 
     Federal office due to an undue hardship described in 
     paragraph (2)(B), the chief State election official shall 
     request that the Attorney General grant a waiver to the State 
     of the application of such subsection. Such request shall 
     include--
       ``(A) a recognition that the purpose of such subsection is 
     to individuals with disabilities enough time to vote in an 
     election for Federal office;
       ``(B) an explanation of the hardship that indicates why the 
     State is unable to transmit such individuals an absentee 
     ballot in accordance with such subsection;
       ``(C) the number of days prior to the election for Federal 
     office that the State requires absentee ballots be 
     transmitted to such individuals; and
       ``(D) a comprehensive plan to ensure that such individuals 
     are able to receive absentee ballots which they have 
     requested and submit marked absentee ballots to the 
     appropriate State election official in time to have that 
     ballot counted in the election for Federal office, which 
     includes--
       ``(i) the steps the State will undertake to ensure that 
     such individuals have time to receive, mark, and submit their 
     ballots in time to have those ballots counted in the 
     election;
       ``(ii) why the plan provides such individuals sufficient 
     time to vote as a substitute for the requirements under such 
     subsection; and
       ``(iii) the underlying factual information which explains 
     how the plan provides such sufficient time to vote as a 
     substitute for such requirements.
       ``(2) Approval of waiver request.--The Attorney General 
     shall approve a waiver request under paragraph (1) if the 
     Attorney General determines each of the following 
     requirements are met:
       ``(A) The comprehensive plan under subparagraph (D) of such 
     paragraph provides individuals with disabilities sufficient 
     time to receive absentee ballots they have requested and 
     submit marked absentee ballots to the appropriate State 
     election official in time to have that ballot counted in the 
     election for Federal office.
       ``(B) One or more of the following issues creates an undue 
     hardship for the State:
       ``(i) The State's primary election date prohibits the State 
     from complying with subsection (a)(5)(A).
       ``(ii) The State has suffered a delay in generating ballots 
     due to a legal contest.
       ``(iii) The State Constitution prohibits the State from 
     complying with such subsection.
       ``(3) Timing of waiver.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided under subparagraph 
     (B), a State that requests a waiver under paragraph (1) shall 
     submit to the Attorney General the written waiver request not 
     later than 90 days before the election for Federal office 
     with respect to which the request is submitted. The Attorney 
     General shall approve or deny the waiver request not later 
     than 65 days before such election.
       ``(B) Exception.--If a State requests a waiver under 
     paragraph (1) as the result of an undue hardship described in 
     paragraph (2)(B)(ii), the State shall submit to the Attorney 
     General the written waiver request as soon as practicable. 
     The Attorney General shall approve or deny the waiver request 
     not later than 5 business days after the date on which the 
     request is received.
       ``(4) Application of waiver.--A waiver approved under 
     paragraph (2) shall only apply with respect to the election 
     for Federal office for which the request was submitted. For 
     each subsequent election for Federal office, the Attorney 
     General shall only approve a waiver if the State has 
     submitted a request under paragraph (1) with respect to such 
     election.
       ``(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
     construed to allow the marking or casting of ballots over the 
     internet.
       ``(g) Individual With a Disability Defined.--In this 
     section, an `individual with a disability' means an 
     individual with an impairment that substantially limits any 
     major life activities and who is otherwise qualified to vote 
     in elections for Federal office.
       ``(h) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with 
     respect to elections for Federal office held on or after 
     January 1, 2020.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Issuance of Voluntary 
     Guidance by Election Assistance Commission.--Section 311(b) 
     of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21101(b)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) in the case of the recommendations with respect to 
     section 305, January 1, 2020.''.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act, 
     as amended by section 1031(c), is amended--
       (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 305 and 
     306 as relating to sections 306 and 307; and
       (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 304 the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 305. Access to voter registration and voting for individuals 
              with disabilities.''.

     SEC. 1102. EXPANSION AND REAUTHORIZATION OF GRANT PROGRAM TO 
                   ASSURE VOTING ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH 
                   DISABILITIES.

       (a) Purposes of Payments.--Section 261(b) of the Help 
     America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21021(b)) is amended by 
     striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the following:

[[Page H2421]]

       ``(1) making absentee voting and voting at home accessible 
     to individuals with the full range of disabilities (including 
     impairments involving vision, hearing, mobility, or 
     dexterity) through the implementation of accessible absentee 
     voting systems that work in conjunction with assistive 
     technologies for which individuals have access at their 
     homes, independent living centers, or other facilities;
       ``(2) making polling places, including the path of travel, 
     entrances, exits, and voting areas of each polling facility, 
     accessible to individuals with disabilities, including the 
     blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the 
     same opportunity for access and participation (including 
     privacy and independence) as for other voters; and
       ``(3) providing solutions to problems of access to voting 
     and elections for individuals with disabilities that are 
     universally designed and provide the same opportunities for 
     individuals with and without disabilities.''.
       (b) Reauthorization.--Section 264(a) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
     21024(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(4) For fiscal year 2020 and each succeeding fiscal year, 
     such sums as may be necessary to carry out this part.''.
       (c) Period of Availability of Funds.--Section 264 of such 
     Act (52 U.S.C. 21024) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``Any amounts'' and 
     inserting ``Except as provided in subsection (b), any 
     amounts''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(c) Return and Transfer of Certain Funds.--
       ``(1) Deadline for obligation and expenditure.--In the case 
     of any amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of 
     subsection (a) for a payment to a State or unit of local 
     government for fiscal year 2020 or any succeeding fiscal 
     year, any portion of such amounts which have not been 
     obligated or expended by the State or unit of local 
     government prior to the expiration of the 4-year period which 
     begins on the date the State or unit of local government 
     first received the amounts shall be transferred to the 
     Commission.
       ``(2) Reallocation of transferred amounts.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Commission shall use the amounts 
     transferred under paragraph (1) to make payments on a pro 
     rata basis to each covered payment recipient described in 
     subparagraph (B), which may obligate and expend such payment 
     for the purposes described in section 261(b) during the 1-
     year period which begins on the date of receipt.
       ``(B) Covered payment recipients described.--In 
     subparagraph (A), a `covered payment recipient' is a State or 
     unit of local government with respect to which--
       ``(i) amounts were appropriated pursuant to the authority 
     of subsection (a); and
       ``(ii) no amounts were transferred to the Commission under 
     paragraph (1).''.

     SEC. 1103. PILOT PROGRAMS FOR ENABLING INDIVIDUALS WITH 
                   DISABILITIES TO REGISTER TO VOTE PRIVATELY AND 
                   INDEPENDENTLY AT RESIDENCES.

       (a) Establishment of Pilot Programs.--The Election 
     Assistance Commission (hereafter referred to as the 
     ``Commission'') shall, subject to the availability of 
     appropriations to carry out this section, make grants to 
     eligible States to conduct pilot programs under which 
     individuals with disabilities may use electronic means 
     (including the Internet and telephones utilizing assistive 
     devices) to register to vote and to request and receive 
     absentee ballots in a manner which permits such individuals 
     to do so privately and independently at their own residences.
       (b) Reports--
       (1) In General.--A State receiving a grant for a year under 
     this section shall submit a report to the Commission on the 
     pilot programs the State carried out with the grant with 
     respect to elections for public office held in the State 
     during the year.
       (2) Deadline.A State shall submit a report under paragraph 
     (1) not later than 90 days after the last election for public 
     office held in the State during the year.
       (c) Eligibility.--A State is eligible to receive a grant 
     under this section if the State submits to the Commission, at 
     such time and in such form as the Commission may require, an 
     application containing such information and assurances as the 
     Commission may require.
       (d) Timing.--The Commission shall make the first grants 
     under this section for pilot programs which will be in effect 
     with respect to elections for Federal office held in 2020, 
     or, at the option of a State, with respect to other elections 
     for public office held in the State in 2020.
       (e) State Defined.--In this section, the term ``State'' 
     includes the District of Columbia, the Common-wealth of 
     Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin 
     Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
     Islands.

                  Subtitle C--Prohibiting Voter Caging

     SEC. 1201. VOTER CAGING AND OTHER QUESTIONABLE CHALLENGES 
                   PROHIBITED.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 29 of title 18, United States 
     Code, as amended by section 1071(a), is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:

     ``Sec. 613. Voter caging and other questionable challenges

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
       ``(1) the term `voter caging document' means--
       ``(A) a nonforwardable document that is returned to the 
     sender or a third party as undelivered or undeliverable 
     despite an attempt to deliver such document to the address of 
     a registered voter or applicant; or
       ``(B) any document with instructions to an addressee that 
     the document be returned to the sender or a third party but 
     is not so returned, despite an attempt to deliver such 
     document to the address of a registered voter or applicant, 
     unless at least two Federal election cycles have passed since 
     the date of the attempted delivery;
       ``(2) the term `voter caging list' means a list of 
     individuals compiled from voter caging documents; and
       ``(3) the term `unverified match list' means a list 
     produced by matching the information of registered voters or 
     applicants for voter registration to a list of individuals 
     who are ineligible to vote in the registrar's jurisdiction, 
     by virtue of death, conviction, change of address, or 
     otherwise; unless one of the pieces of information matched 
     includes a signature, photograph, or unique identifying 
     number ensuring that the information from each source refers 
     to the same individual.
       ``(b) Prohibition Against Voter Caging.--No State or local 
     election official shall prevent an individual from 
     registering or voting in any election for Federal office, or 
     permit in connection with any election for Federal office 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 any record or paper relating 
     to any application, registration, or other act requisite to 
     voting, if such error or omission is not material to an 
     individual's eligibility to vote under section 2004 of the 
     Revised Statutes, as amended (52 U.S.C. 10101(a)(2)(B)); or
       ``(4) any other evidence so designated for purposes of this 
     section by the Election Assistance Commission,
     except that the election official may use such evidence if it 
     is corroborated by independent evidence of the individual's 
     ineligibility to register or vote.
       ``(c) Requirements for Challenges by Persons Other Than 
     Election Officials.--
       ``(1) Requirements for challenges.--No person, other than a 
     State or local election official, shall submit a formal 
     challenge to an individual's eligibility to register to vote 
     in an election for Federal office or to vote in an election 
     for Federal office unless that challenge is supported by 
     personal knowledge regarding the grounds for ineligibility 
     which is--
       ``(A) documented in writing; and
       ``(B) subject to an oath or attestation under penalty of 
     perjury that the challenger has a good faith factual basis to 
     believe that the individual who is the subject of the 
     challenge is ineligible to register to vote or vote in that 
     election, except a challenge which is based on the race, 
     ethnicity, or national origin of the individual who is the 
     subject of the challenge may not be considered to have a good 
     faith factual basis for purposes of this paragraph.
       ``(2) Prohibition on challenges on or near date of 
     election.--No person, other than a State or local election 
     official, shall be permitted--
       ``(A) to challenge an individual's eligibility to vote in 
     an election for Federal office on Election Day, or
       ``(B) to challenge an individual's eligibility to register 
     to vote in an election for Federal office or to vote in an 
     election for Federal office less than 10 days before the 
     election unless the individual registered to vote less than 
     20 days before the election.
       ``(d) Penalties for Knowing Misconduct.--Whoever knowingly 
     challenges the eligibility of one or more individuals to 
     register or vote or knowingly causes the eligibility of such 
     individuals to be challenged in violation of this section 
     with the intent that one or more eligible voters be 
     disqualified, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned 
     not more than 1 year, or both, for each such violation. Each 
     violation shall be a separate offense.
       ``(e) No Effect on Related Laws.--Nothing in this section 
     is intended to override the protections of the National Voter 
     Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.) or to 
     affect the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et 
     seq.).''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     29 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by section 
     1071(b), is amended by adding at the end the following:

``613. Voter caging and other questionable challenges.''.

     SEC. 1202. DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION OF BEST PRACTICES FOR 
                   PREVENTING VOTER CAGING.

       (a) Best Practices.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Election Assistance 
     Commission shall develop and publish for the use of States 
     recommendations for best practices to deter and prevent 
     violations of section 613 of title 18, United States Code, as 
     added by section 1201(a), including practices to provide for 
     the posting of relevant information at polling places and 
     voter registration agencies, the training of poll workers and 
     election officials, and relevant educational measures. For 
     purposes of this subsection, the term ``State'' includes the 
     District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, 
     American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
       (b) Inclusion in Voting Information Requirements.--Section 
     302(b)(2) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 
     21082(b)(2)), as amended by section 1072(b), is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (F);

[[Page H2422]]

       (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (G) 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(H) information relating to the prohibition against voter 
     caging and other questionable challenges (as set forth in 
     section 613 of title 18, United States Code), including 
     information on how individuals may report allegations of 
     violations of such prohibition.''.

   Subtitle D--Prohibiting Deceptive Practices and Preventing Voter 
                              Intimidation

     SEC. 1301. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Deceptive Practices and 
     Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 1302. PROHIBITION ON DECEPTIVE PRACTICES IN FEDERAL 
                   ELECTIONS.

       (a) Prohibition.--Subsection (b) of section 2004 of the 
     Revised Statutes (52 U.S.C. 10101(b)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``No person'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--No person''; and
       (2) by inserting at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(2) False statements regarding federal elections.--
       ``(A) Prohibition.--No person, whether acting under color 
     of law or otherwise, shall, within 60 days before an election 
     described in paragraph (5), by any means, including by means 
     of written, electronic, or telephonic communications, 
     communicate or cause to be communicated information described 
     in subparagraph (B), or produce information described in 
     subparagraph (B) with the intent that such information be 
     communicated, if such person--
       ``(i) knows such information to be materially false; and
       ``(ii) has the intent to impede or prevent another person 
     from exercising the right to vote in an election described in 
     paragraph (5).
       ``(B) Information described.--Information is described in 
     this subparagraph if such information is regarding--
       ``(i) the time, place, or manner of holding any election 
     described in paragraph (5); or
       ``(ii) the qualifications for or restrictions on voter 
     eligibility for any such election, including--

       ``(I) any criminal penalties associated with voting in any 
     such election; or
       ``(II) information regarding a voter's registration status 
     or eligibility.

       ``(3) False statements regarding public endorsements.--
       ``(A) Prohibition.--No person, whether acting under color 
     of law or otherwise, shall, within 60 days before an election 
     described in paragraph (5), by any means, including by means 
     of written, electronic, or telephonic communications, 
     communicate, or cause to be communicated, a materially false 
     statement about an endorsement, if such person--
       ``(i) knows such statement to be false; and
       ``(ii) has the intent to impede or prevent another person 
     from exercising the right to vote in an election described in 
     paragraph (5).
       ``(B) Definition of `materially false'.--For purposes of 
     subparagraph (A), a statement about an endorsement is 
     `materially false' if, with respect to an upcoming election 
     described in paragraph (5)--
       ``(i) the statement states that a specifically named 
     person, political party, or organization has endorsed the 
     election of a specific candidate for a Federal office 
     described in such paragraph; and
       ``(ii) such person, political party, or organization has 
     not endorsed the election of such candidate.
       ``(4) Hindering, interfering with, or preventing voting or 
     registering to vote.--No person, whether acting under color 
     of law or otherwise, shall intentionally hinder, interfere 
     with, or prevent another person from voting, registering to 
     vote, or aiding another person to vote or register to vote in 
     an election described in paragraph (5).
       ``(5) Election described.--An election described in this 
     paragraph is any general, primary, run-off, or special 
     election held solely or in part for the purpose of nominating 
     or electing a candidate for the office of President, Vice 
     President, presidential elector, Member of the Senate, Member 
     of the House of Representatives, or Delegate or Commissioner 
     from a Territory or possession.''.
       (b) Private Right of Action.--
       (1) In general.--Subsection (c) of section 2004 of the 
     Revised Statutes (52 U.S.C. 10101(c)) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``Whenever any person'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(1) Whenever any person''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) Any person aggrieved by a violation of subsection 
     (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b)(4) may institute a civil action for 
     preventive relief, including an application in a United 
     States district court for a permanent or temporary 
     injunction, restraining order, or other order. In any such 
     action, the court, in its discretion, may allow the 
     prevailing party a reasonable attorney's fee as part of the 
     costs.''.
       (2) Conforming amendments.--
       (A) Subsection (e) of section 2004 of the Revised Statutes 
     (52 U.S.C. 10101(e)) is amended by striking ``subsection 
     (c)'' and inserting ``subsection (c)(1)''.
       (B) Subsection (g) of section 2004 of the Revised Statutes 
     (52 U.S.C. 10101(g)) is amended by striking ``subsection 
     (c)'' and inserting ``subsection (c)(1)''.
       (c) Criminal Penalties.--
       (1) Deceptive acts.--Section 594 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (A) by striking ``Whoever'' and inserting the following:
       ``(a) Intimidation.--Whoever'';
       (B) in subsection (a), as inserted by subparagraph (A), by 
     striking ``at any election'' and inserting ``at any general, 
     primary, run-off, or special election''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
       ``(b) Deceptive Acts.--
       ``(1) False statements regarding federal elections.--
       ``(A) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any person, 
     whether acting under color of law or otherwise, within 60 
     days before an election described in subsection (e), by any 
     means, including by means of written, electronic, or 
     telephonic communications, to communicate or cause to be 
     communicated information described in subparagraph (B), or 
     produce information described in subparagraph (B) with the 
     intent that such information be communicated, if such 
     person--
       ``(i) knows such information to be materially false; and
       ``(ii) has the intent to mislead voters, or the intent to 
     impede or prevent another person from exercising the right to 
     vote in an election described in subsection (e).
       ``(B) Information described.--Information is described in 
     this subparagraph if such information is regarding--
       ``(i) the time or place of holding any election described 
     in subsection (e); or
       ``(ii) the qualifications for or restrictions on voter 
     eligibility for any such election, including--

       ``(I) any criminal penalties associated with voting in any 
     such election; or
       ``(II) information regarding a voter's registration status 
     or eligibility.

       ``(2) Penalty.--Any person who violates paragraph (1) shall 
     be fined not more than $100,000, imprisoned for not more than 
     5 years, or both.
       ``(c) Hindering, Interfering With, or Preventing Voting or 
     Registering To Vote.--
       ``(1) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any person, 
     whether acting under color of law or otherwise, to 
     intentionally hinder, interfere with, or prevent another 
     person from voting, registering to vote, or aiding another 
     person to vote or register to vote in an election described 
     in subsection (e).
       ``(2) Penalty.--Any person who violates paragraph (1) shall 
     be fined not more than $100,000, imprisoned for not more than 
     5 years, or both.
       ``(d) Attempt.--Any person who attempts to commit any 
     offense described in subsection (a), (b)(1), or (c)(1) shall 
     be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the 
     offense that the person attempted to commit.
       ``(e) Election Described.--An election described in this 
     subsection is any general, primary, run-off, or special 
     election held solely or in part for the purpose of nominating 
     or electing a candidate for the office of President, Vice 
     President, presidential elector, Member of the Senate, Member 
     of the House of Representatives, or Delegate or Commissioner 
     from a Territory or possession.''.
       (2) Modification of penalty for voter intimidation.--
     Section 594(a) of title 18, United States Code, as amended by 
     paragraph (1), is amended by striking ``fined under this 
     title or imprisoned not more than one year'' and inserting 
     ``fined not more than $100,000, imprisoned for not more than 
     5 years''.
       (3) Sentencing guidelines.--
       (A) Review and amendment.--Not later than 180 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the United States 
     Sentencing Commission, pursuant to its authority under 
     section 994 of title 28, United States Code, and in 
     accordance with this section, shall review and, if 
     appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines and 
     policy statements applicable to persons convicted of any 
     offense under section 594 of title 18, United States Code, as 
     amended by this section.
       (B) Authorization.--The United States Sentencing Commission 
     may amend the Federal Sentencing Guidelines in accordance 
     with the procedures set forth in section 21(a) of the 
     Sentencing Act of 1987 (28 U.S.C. 994 note) as though the 
     authority under that section had not expired.
       (4) Payments for refraining from voting.--Subsection (c) of 
     section 11 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10307) 
     is amended by striking ``either for registration to vote or 
     for voting'' and inserting ``for registration to vote, for 
     voting, or for not voting''.

     SEC. 1303. CORRECTIVE ACTION.

       (a) Corrective Action.--
       (1) In general.--If the Attorney General receives a 
     credible report that materially false information has been or 
     is being communicated in violation of paragraphs (2) and (3) 
     of section 2004(b) of the Revised Statutes (52 U.S.C. 
     10101(b)), as added by section 1302(a), and if the Attorney 
     General determines that State and local election officials 
     have not taken adequate steps to promptly communicate 
     accurate information to correct the materially false 
     information, the Attorney General shall, pursuant to the 
     written procedures and standards under subsection (b), 
     communicate to the public, by any means, including by means 
     of written, electronic, or telephonic communications, 
     accurate information designed to correct the materially false 
     information.
       (2) Communication of corrective information.--Any 
     information communicated by the Attorney General under 
     paragraph (1)--
       (A) shall--

[[Page H2423]]

       (i) be accurate and objective;
       (ii) consist of only the information necessary to correct 
     the materially false information that has been or is being 
     communicated; and
       (iii) to the extent practicable, be by a means that the 
     Attorney General determines will reach the persons to whom 
     the materially false information has been or is being 
     communicated; and
       (B) shall not be designed to favor or disfavor any 
     particular candidate, organization, or political party.
       (b) Written Procedures and Standards for Taking Corrective 
     Action.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall publish 
     written procedures and standards for determining when and how 
     corrective action will be taken under this section.
       (2) Inclusion of appropriate deadlines.--The procedures and 
     standards under paragraph (1) shall include appropriate 
     deadlines, based in part on the number of days remaining 
     before the upcoming election.
       (3) Consultation.--In developing the procedures and 
     standards under paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall 
     consult with the Election Assistance Commission, State and 
     local election officials, civil rights organizations, voting 
     rights groups, voter protection groups, and other interested 
     community organizations.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Attorney General such sums as may 
     be necessary to carry out this subtitle.

     SEC. 1304. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after each general 
     election for Federal office, the Attorney General shall 
     submit to Congress a report compiling all allegations 
     received by the Attorney General of deceptive practices 
     described in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of section 2004(b) 
     of the Revised Statutes (52 U.S.C. 10101(b)), as added by 
     section 1302(a), relating to the general election for Federal 
     office and any primary, run-off, or a special election for 
     Federal office held in the 2 years preceding the general 
     election.
       (b) Contents.--
       (1) In general.--Each report submitted under subsection (a) 
     shall include--
       (A) a description of each allegation of a deceptive 
     practice described in subsection (a), including the 
     geographic location, racial and ethnic composition, and 
     language minority-group membership of the persons toward whom 
     the alleged deceptive practice was directed;
       (B) the status of the investigation of each allegation 
     described in subparagraph (A);
       (C) a description of each corrective action taken by the 
     Attorney General under section 4(a) in response to an 
     allegation described in subparagraph (A);
       (D) a description of each referral of an allegation 
     described in subparagraph (A) to other Federal, State, or 
     local agencies;
       (E) to the extent information is available, a description 
     of any civil action instituted under section 2004(c)(2) of 
     the Revised Statutes (52 U.S.C. 10101(c)(2)), as added by 
     section 1302(b), in connection with an allegation described 
     in subparagraph (A); and
       (F) a description of any criminal prosecution instituted 
     under section 594 of title 18, United States Code, as amended 
     by section 3(c), in connection with the receipt of an 
     allegation described in subparagraph (A) by the Attorney 
     General.
       (2) Exclusion of certain information.--
       (A) In general.--The Attorney General shall not include in 
     a report submitted under subsection (a) any information 
     protected from disclosure by rule 6(e) of the Federal Rules 
     of Criminal Procedure or any Federal criminal statute.
       (B) Exclusion of certain other information.--The Attorney 
     General may determine that the following information shall 
     not be included in a report submitted under subsection (a):
       (i) Any information that is privileged.
       (ii) Any information concerning an ongoing investigation.
       (iii) Any information concerning a criminal or civil 
     proceeding conducted under seal.
       (iv) Any other nonpublic information that the Attorney 
     General determines the disclosure of which could reasonably 
     be expected to infringe on the rights of any individual or 
     adversely affect the integrity of a pending or future 
     criminal investigation.
       (c) Report Made Public.--On the date that the Attorney 
     General submits the report under subsection (a), the Attorney 
     General shall also make the report publicly available through 
     the Internet and other appropriate means.

                   Subtitle E--Democracy Restoration

     SEC. 1401. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Democracy Restoration 
     Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 1402. RIGHTS OF CITIZENS.

       The right of an individual who is a citizen of the United 
     States to vote in any election for Federal office shall not 
     be denied or abridged because that individual has been 
     convicted of a criminal offense unless such individual is 
     serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution or 
     facility at the time of the election.

     SEC. 1403. ENFORCEMENT.

       (a) Attorney General.--The Attorney General may, in a civil 
     action, obtain such declaratory or injunctive relief as is 
     necessary to remedy a violation of this subtitle.
       (b) Private Right of Action.--
       (1) In general.--A person who is aggrieved by a violation 
     of this subtitle may provide written notice of the violation 
     to the chief election official of the State involved.
       (2) Relief.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), if the 
     violation is not corrected within 90 days after receipt of a 
     notice under paragraph (1), or within 20 days after receipt 
     of the notice if the violation occurred within 120 days 
     before the date of an election for Federal office, the 
     aggrieved person may, in a civil action, obtain declaratory 
     or injunctive relief with respect to the violation.
       (3) Exception.--If the violation occurred within 30 days 
     before the date of an election for Federal office, the 
     aggrieved person need not provide notice to the chief 
     election official of the State under paragraph (1) before 
     bringing a civil action to obtain declaratory or injunctive 
     relief with respect to the violation.

     SEC. 1404. NOTIFICATION OF RESTORATION OF VOTING RIGHTS.

       (a) State Notification.--
       (1) Notification.--On the date determined under paragraph 
     (2), each State shall notify in writing any individual who 
     has been convicted of a criminal offense under the law of 
     that State that such individual has the right to vote in an 
     election for Federal office pursuant to the Democracy 
     Restoration Act of 2019 and may register to vote in any such 
     election.
       (2) Date of notification.--
       (A) Felony conviction.--In the case of such an individual 
     who has been convicted of a felony, the notification required 
     under paragraph (1) shall be given on the date on which the 
     individual--
       (i) is sentenced to serve only a term of probation; or
       (ii) is released from the custody of that State (other than 
     to the custody of another State or the Federal Government to 
     serve a term of imprisonment for a felony conviction).
       (B) Misdemeanor conviction.--In the case of such an 
     individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor, the 
     notification required under paragraph (1) shall be given on 
     the date on which such individual is sentenced by a State 
     court.
       (b) Federal Notification.--
       (1) Notification.--Any individual who has been convicted of 
     a criminal offense under Federal law shall be notified in 
     accordance with paragraph (2) that such individual has the 
     right to vote in an election for Federal office pursuant to 
     the Democracy Restoration Act of 2019 and may register to 
     vote in any such election.
       (2) Date of notification.--
       (A) Felony conviction.--In the case of such an individual 
     who has been convicted of a felony, the notification required 
     under paragraph (1) shall be given--
       (i) in the case of an individual who is sentenced to serve 
     only a term of probation, by the Assistant Director for the 
     Office of Probation and Pretrial Services of the 
     Administrative Office of the United States Courts on the date 
     on which the individual is sentenced; or
       (ii) in the case of any individual committed to the custody 
     of the Bureau of Prisons, by the Director of the Bureau of 
     Prisons, during the period beginning on the date that is 6 
     months before such individual is released and ending on the 
     date such individual is released from the custody of the 
     Bureau of Prisons.
       (B) Misdemeanor conviction.--In the case of such an 
     individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor, the 
     notification required under paragraph (1) shall be given on 
     the date on which such individual is sentenced by a court 
     established by an Act of Congress.

     SEC. 1405. DEFINITIONS.

       For purposes of this subtitle:
       (1) Correctional institution or facility.--The term 
     ``correctional institution or facility'' means any prison, 
     penitentiary, jail, or other institution or facility for the 
     confinement of individuals convicted of criminal offenses, 
     whether publicly or privately operated, except that such term 
     does not include any residential community treatment center 
     (or similar public or private facility).
       (2) Election.--The term ``election'' means--
       (A) a general, special, primary, or runoff election;
       (B) a convention or caucus of a political party held to 
     nominate a candidate;
       (C) a primary election held for the selection of delegates 
     to a national nominating convention of a political party; or
       (D) a primary election held for the expression of a 
     preference for the nomination of persons for election to the 
     office of President.
       (3) Federal office.--The term ``Federal office'' means the 
     office of President or Vice President of the United States, 
     or of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident 
     Commissioner to, the Congress of the United States.
       (4) Probation.--The term ``probation'' means probation, 
     imposed by a Federal, State, or local court, with or without 
     a condition on the individual involved concerning--
       (A) the individual's freedom of movement;
       (B) the payment of damages by the individual;
       (C) periodic reporting by the individual to an officer of 
     the court; or
       (D) supervision of the individual by an officer of the 
     court.

[[Page H2424]]

  


     SEC. 1406. RELATION TO OTHER LAWS.

       (a) State Laws Relating to Voting Rights.--Nothing in this 
     subtitle be construed to prohibit the States from enacting 
     any State law which affords the right to vote in any election 
     for Federal office on terms less restrictive than those 
     established by this subtitle.
       (b) Certain Federal Acts.--The rights and remedies 
     established by this subtitle are in addition to all other 
     rights and remedies provided by law, and neither rights and 
     remedies established by this Act shall supersede, restrict, 
     or limit the application of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 
     U.S.C. 10301 et seq.) or the National Voter Registration Act 
     of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.).

     SEC. 1407. FEDERAL PRISON FUNDS.

       No State, unit of local government, or other person may 
     receive or use, to construct or otherwise improve a prison, 
     jail, or other place of incarceration, any Federal funds 
     unless that person has in effect a program under which each 
     individual incarcerated in that person's jurisdiction who is 
     a citizen of the United States is notified, upon release from 
     such incarceration, of that individual's rights under section 
     1402.

     SEC. 1408. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This subtitle shall apply to citizens of the United States 
     voting in any election for Federal office held after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.

 Subtitle F--Promoting Accuracy, Integrity, and Security Through Voter-
                    Verified Permanent Paper Ballot

     SEC. 1501. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Voter Confidence and 
     Increased Accessibility Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 1502. PAPER BALLOT AND MANUAL COUNTING REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 301(a)(2) of the Help America Vote 
     Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(2)) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(2) Paper ballot requirement.--
       ``(A) Voter-verified paper ballots.--
       ``(i) Paper ballot requirement.--(I) The voting system 
     shall require the use of an individual, durable, voter-
     verified paper ballot of the voter's vote that shall be 
     marked and made available for inspection and verification by 
     the voter before the voter's vote is cast and counted, and 
     which shall be counted by hand or read by an optical 
     character recognition device or other counting device. For 
     purposes of this subclause, the term `individual, durable, 
     voter-verified paper ballot' means a paper ballot marked by 
     the voter by hand or a paper ballot marked through the use of 
     a nontabulating ballot marking device or system, so long as 
     the voter shall have the option to mark his or her ballot by 
     hand.
       ``(II) The voting system shall provide the voter with an 
     opportunity to correct any error on the paper ballot before 
     the permanent voter-verified paper ballot is preserved in 
     accordance with clause (ii).
       ``(III) The voting system shall not preserve the voter-
     verified paper ballots in any manner that makes it possible, 
     at any time after the ballot has been cast, to associate a 
     voter with the record of the voter's vote without the voter's 
     consent.
       ``(ii) Preservation as official record.--The individual, 
     durable, voter-verified paper ballot used in accordance with 
     clause (i) shall constitute the official ballot and shall be 
     preserved and used as the official ballot for purposes of any 
     recount or audit conducted with respect to any election for 
     Federal office in which the voting system is used.
       ``(iii) Manual counting requirements for recounts and 
     audits.--(I) Each paper ballot used pursuant to clause (i) 
     shall be suitable for a manual audit, and shall be counted by 
     hand in any recount or audit conducted with respect to any 
     election for Federal office.
       ``(II) In the event of any inconsistencies or 
     irregularities between any electronic vote tallies and the 
     vote tallies determined by counting by hand the individual, 
     durable, voter-verified paper ballots used pursuant to clause 
     (i), and subject to subparagraph (B), the individual, 
     durable, voter-verified paper ballots shall be the true and 
     correct record of the votes cast.
       ``(iv) Application to all ballots.--The requirements of 
     this subparagraph shall apply to all ballots cast in 
     elections for Federal office, including ballots cast by 
     absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters under 
     the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and 
     other absentee voters.
       ``(B) Special rule for treatment of disputes when paper 
     ballots have been shown to be compromised.--
       ``(i) In general.--In the event that--

       ``(I) there is any inconsistency between any electronic 
     vote tallies and the vote tallies determined by counting by 
     hand the individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballots 
     used pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i) with respect to any 
     election for Federal office; and
       ``(II) it is demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence 
     (as determined in accordance with the applicable standards in 
     the jurisdiction involved) in any recount, audit, or contest 
     of the result of the election that the paper ballots have 
     been compromised (by damage or mischief or otherwise) and 
     that a sufficient number of the ballots have been so 
     compromised that the result of the election could be changed,

     the determination of the appropriate remedy with respect to 
     the election shall be made in accordance with applicable 
     State law, except that the electronic tally shall not be used 
     as the exclusive basis for determining the official certified 
     result.
       ``(ii) Rule for consideration of ballots associated with 
     each voting machine.--For purposes of clause (i), only the 
     paper ballots deemed compromised, if any, shall be considered 
     in the calculation of whether or not the result of the 
     election could be changed due to the compromised paper 
     ballots.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment Clarifying Applicability of 
     Alternative Language Accessibility.--Section 301(a)(4) of 
     such Act (52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(4)) is amended by inserting 
     ``(including the paper ballots required to be used under 
     paragraph (2))'' after ``voting system''.
       (c) Other Conforming Amendments.--Section 301(a)(1) of such 
     Act (52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(1)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``counted'' and 
     inserting ``counted, in accordance with paragraphs (2) and 
     (3)'';
       (2) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ``counted'' and 
     inserting ``counted, in accordance with paragraphs (2) and 
     (3)'';
       (3) in subparagraph (A)(iii), by striking ``counted'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``counted, in accordance with 
     paragraphs (2) and (3)''; and
       (4) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking ``counted'' and 
     inserting ``counted, in accordance with paragraphs (2) and 
     (3)''.

     SEC. 1503. ACCESSIBILITY AND BALLOT VERIFICATION FOR 
                   INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

       (a) In General.--Section 301(a)(3)(B) of the Help America 
     Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(3)(B)) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(B)(i) ensure that individuals with disabilities and 
     others are given an equivalent opportunity to vote, including 
     with privacy and independence, in a manner that produces a 
     voter-verified paper ballot as for other voters;
       ``(ii) satisfy the requirement of subparagraph (A) through 
     the use of at least one voting system equipped for 
     individuals with disabilities, including nonvisual and 
     enhanced visual accessibility for the blind and visually 
     impaired, and nonmanual and enhanced manual accessibility for 
     the mobility and dexterity impaired, at each polling place; 
     and
       ``(iii) meet the requirements of subparagraph (A) and 
     paragraph (2)(A) by using a system that--
       ``(I) allows the voter to privately and independently 
     verify the permanent paper ballot through the presentation, 
     in accessible form, of the printed or marked vote selections 
     from the same printed or marked information that would be 
     used for any vote counting or auditing; and
       ``(II) allows the voter to privately and independently 
     verify and cast the permanent paper ballot without requiring 
     the voter to manually handle the paper ballot;''.
       (b) Specific Requirement of Study, Testing, and Development 
     of Accessible Paper Ballot Verification Mechanisms.--
       (1) Study and reporting.--Subtitle C of title II of such 
     Act (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended--
       (A) by redesignating section 247 as section 248; and
       (B) by inserting after section 246 the following new 
     section:

     ``SEC. 247. STUDY AND REPORT ON ACCESSIBLE PAPER BALLOT 
                   VERIFICATION MECHANISMS.

       ``(a) Study and Report.--The Director of the National 
     Science Foundation shall make grants to not fewer than 3 
     eligible entities to study, test, and develop accessible 
     paper ballot voting, verification, and casting mechanisms and 
     devices and best practices to enhance the accessibility of 
     paper ballot voting and verification mechanisms for 
     individuals with disabilities, for voters whose primary 
     language is not English, and for voters with difficulties in 
     literacy, including best practices for the mechanisms 
     themselves and the processes through which the mechanisms are 
     used.
       ``(b) Eligibility.--An entity is eligible to receive a 
     grant under this part if it submits to the Director (at such 
     time and in such form as the Director may require) an 
     application containing--
       ``(1) certifications that the entity shall specifically 
     investigate enhanced methods or devices, including non-
     electronic devices, that will assist such individuals and 
     voters in marking voter-verified paper ballots and presenting 
     or transmitting the information printed or marked on such 
     ballots back to such individuals and voters, and casting such 
     ballots;
       ``(2) a certification that the entity shall complete the 
     activities carried out with the grant not later than December 
     31, 2020; and
       ``(3) such other information and certifications as the 
     Director may require.
       ``(c) Availability of Technology.--Any technology developed 
     with the grants made under this section shall be treated as 
     non-proprietary and shall be made available to the public, 
     including to manufacturers of voting systems.
       ``(d) Coordination With Grants for Technology 
     Improvements.--The Director shall carry out this section so 
     that the activities carried out with the grants made under 
     subsection (a) are coordinated with the research conducted 
     under the grant program carried out by the Commission under 
     section 271, to the extent that the Director and Commission 
     determine necessary to provide for the advancement of 
     accessible voting technology.
       ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to

[[Page H2425]]

     carry out subsection (a) $5,000,000, to remain available 
     until expended.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents of such Act 
     is amended--
       (A) by redesignating the item relating to section 247 as 
     relating to section 248; and
       (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 246 the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 247. Study and report on accessible paper ballot verification 
              mechanisms.''.
       (c) Clarification of Accessibility Standards Under 
     Voluntary Voting System Guidance.--In adopting any voluntary 
     guidance under subtitle B of title III of the Help America 
     Vote Act with respect to the accessibility of the paper 
     ballot verification requirements for individuals with 
     disabilities, the Election Assistance Commission shall 
     include and apply the same accessibility standards applicable 
     under the voluntary guidance adopted for accessible voting 
     systems under such subtitle.
       (d) Permitting Use of Funds for Protection and Advocacy 
     Systems to Support Actions to Enforce Election-related 
     Disability Access.--Section 292(a) of the Help America Vote 
     Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21062(a)) is amended by striking ``; 
     except that'' and all that follows and inserting a period.

     SEC. 1504. DURABILITY AND READABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR 
                   BALLOTS.

       Section 301(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 
     U.S.C. 21081(a)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new paragraph:
       ``(7) Durability and readability requirements for 
     ballots.--
       ``(A) Durability requirements for paper ballots.--
       ``(i) In general.--All voter-verified paper ballots 
     required to be used under this Act shall be marked or printed 
     on durable paper.
       ``(ii) Definition.--For purposes of this Act, paper is 
     `durable' if it is capable of withstanding multiple counts 
     and recounts by hand without compromising the fundamental 
     integrity of the ballots, and capable of retaining the 
     information marked or printed on them for the full duration 
     of a retention and preservation period of 22 months.
       ``(B) Readability requirements for paper ballots marked by 
     ballot marking device.--All voter-verified paper ballots 
     completed by the voter through the use of a ballot marking 
     device shall be clearly readable by the voter without 
     assistance (other than eyeglasses or other personal vision 
     enhancing devices) and by an optical character recognition 
     device or other device equipped for individuals with 
     disabilities.''.

     SEC. 1505. EFFECTIVE DATE FOR NEW REQUIREMENTS.

       Section 301(d) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 
     U.S.C. 21081(d)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(d) Effective Date.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
     each State and jurisdiction shall be required to comply with 
     the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 
     2006.
       ``(2) Special rule for certain requirements.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) 
     and (C), the requirements of this section which are first 
     imposed on a State and jurisdiction pursuant to the 
     amendments made by the Voter Confidence and Increased 
     Accessibility Act of 2019 shall apply with respect to voting 
     systems used for any election for Federal office held in 2020 
     or any succeeding year.
       ``(B) Delay for jurisdictions using certain paper record 
     printers or certain systems using or producing voter-
     verifiable paper records in 2018.--
       ``(i) Delay.--In the case of a jurisdiction described in 
     clause (ii), subparagraph (A) shall apply to a voting system 
     in the jurisdiction as if the reference in such subparagraph 
     to `2020' were a reference to `2022', but only with respect 
     to the following requirements of this section:

       ``(I) Paragraph (2)(A)(i)(I) of subsection (a) (relating to 
     the use of voter-verified paper ballots).
       ``(II) Paragraph (3)(B)(ii)(I) and (II) of subsection (a) 
     (relating to access to verification from and casting of the 
     durable paper ballot).
       ``(III) Paragraph (7) of subsection (a) (relating to 
     durability and readability requirements for ballots).

       ``(ii) Jurisdictions described.--A jurisdiction described 
     in this clause is a jurisdiction--

       ``(I) which used voter verifiable paper record printers 
     attached to direct recording electronic voting machines, or 
     which used other voting systems that used or produced paper 
     records of the vote verifiable by voters but that are not in 
     compliance with paragraphs (2)(A)(i)(I), (3)(B)(iii)(I) and 
     (II), and (7) of subsection (a) (as amended or added by the 
     Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2019), 
     for the administration of the regularly scheduled general 
     election for Federal office held in November 2018; and
       ``(II) which will continue to use such printers or systems 
     for the administration of elections for Federal office held 
     in years before 2022.

       ``(iii) Mandatory availability of paper ballots at polling 
     places using grandfathered printers and systems.--

       ``(I) Requiring ballots to be offered and provided.--The 
     appropriate election official at each polling place that uses 
     a printer or system described in clause (ii)(I) for the 
     administration of elections for Federal office shall offer 
     each individual who is eligible to cast a vote in the 
     election at the polling place the opportunity to cast the 
     vote using a blank pre-printed paper ballot which the 
     individual may mark by hand and which is not produced by the 
     direct recording electronic voting machine or other such 
     system. The official shall provide the individual with the 
     ballot and the supplies necessary to mark the ballot, and 
     shall ensure (to the greatest extent practicable) that the 
     waiting period for the individual to cast a vote is the 
     lesser of 30 minutes or the average waiting period for an 
     individual who does not agree to cast the vote using such a 
     paper ballot under this clause.
       ``(II) Treatment of ballot.--Any paper ballot which is cast 
     by an individual under this clause shall be counted and 
     otherwise treated as a regular ballot for all purposes 
     (including by incorporating it into the final unofficial vote 
     count (as defined by the State) for the precinct) and not as 
     a provisional ballot, unless the individual casting the 
     ballot would have otherwise been required to cast a 
     provisional ballot.
       ``(III) Posting of notice.--The appropriate election 
     official shall ensure there is prominently displayed at each 
     polling place a notice that describes the obligation of the 
     official to offer individuals the opportunity to cast votes 
     using a pre-printed blank paper ballot.
       ``(IV) Training of election officials.--The chief State 
     election official shall ensure that election officials at 
     polling places in the State are aware of the requirements of 
     this clause, including the requirement to display a notice 
     under subclause (III), and are aware that it is a violation 
     of the requirements of this title for an election official to 
     fail to offer an individual the opportunity to cast a vote 
     using a blank pre-printed paper ballot.
       ``(V) Period of applicability.--The requirements of this 
     clause apply only during the period in which the delay is in 
     effect under clause (i).

       ``(C) Special rule for jurisdictions using certain 
     nontabulating ballot marking devices.--In the case of a 
     jurisdiction which uses a nontabulating ballot marking device 
     which automatically deposits the ballot into a privacy 
     sleeve, subparagraph (A) shall apply to a voting system in 
     the jurisdiction as if the reference in such subparagraph to 
     `any election for Federal office held in 2020 or any 
     succeeding year' were a reference to `elections for Federal 
     office occurring held in 2022 or each succeeding year', but 
     only with respect to paragraph (3)(B)(iii)(II) of subsection 
     (a) (relating to nonmanual casting of the durable paper 
     ballot).''.

                    Subtitle G--Provisional Ballots

     SEC. 1601. REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTING PROVISIONAL BALLOTS; 
                   ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIFORM AND NONDISCRIMINATORY 
                   STANDARDS.

       (a) In General.--Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act 
     of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21082) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (f); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
     subsections:
       ``(d) Statewide Counting of Provisional Ballots.--
       ``(1) In general.--For purposes of subsection (a)(4), 
     notwithstanding the precinct or polling place at which a 
     provisional ballot is cast within the State, the appropriate 
     election official shall count each vote on such ballot for 
     each election in which the individual who cast such ballot is 
     eligible to vote.
       ``(2) Effective date.--This subsection shall apply with 
     respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2020.
       ``(e) Uniform and Nondiscriminatory Standards.--
       ``(1) In general.--Consistent with the requirements of this 
     section, each State shall establish uniform and 
     nondiscriminatory standards for the issuance, handling, and 
     counting of provisional ballots.
       ``(2) Effective date.--This subsection shall apply with 
     respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2020.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 302(f) of such Act (52 
     U.S.C. 21082(f)), as redesignated by subsection (a), is 
     amended by striking ``Each State'' and inserting ``Except as 
     provided in subsections (d)(2) and (e)(2), each State''.

                        Subtitle H--Early Voting

     SEC. 1611. EARLY VOTING.

       (a) Requirements.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help 
     America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as 
     amended by section 1031(a) and section 1101(a), is amended--
       (1) by redesignating sections 306 and 307 as sections 307 
     and 308; and
       (2) by inserting after section 305 the following new 
     section:

     ``SEC. 306. EARLY VOTING.

       ``(a) Requiring Voting Prior to Date of Election.--
       ``(1) In general.--Each State shall allow individuals to 
     vote in an election for Federal office during an early voting 
     period which occurs prior to the date of the election, in the 
     same manner as voting is allowed on such date.
       ``(2) Length of period.--The early voting period required 
     under this subsection with respect to an election shall 
     consist of a period of consecutive days (including weekends) 
     which begins on the 15th day before the date of the election 
     (or, at the option of the State, on a day prior to the 15th 
     day before the date of the election) and ends on the date of 
     the election.

[[Page H2426]]

       ``(b) Minimum Early Voting Requirements.--Each polling 
     place which allows voting during an early voting period under 
     subsection (a) shall--
       ``(1) allow such voting for no less than 4 hours on each 
     day, except that the polling place may allow such voting for 
     fewer than 4 hours on Sundays; and
       ``(2) have uniform hours each day for which such voting 
     occurs.
       ``(c) Location of Polling Places Near Public 
     Transportation.--To the greatest extent practicable, a State 
     shall ensure that each polling place which allows voting 
     during an early voting period under subsection (a) is located 
     within walking distance of a stop on a public transportation 
     route.
       ``(d) Standards.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall issue standards for 
     the administration of voting prior to the day scheduled for a 
     Federal election. Such standards shall include the 
     nondiscriminatory geographic placement of polling places at 
     which such voting occurs.
       ``(2) Deviation.--The standards described in paragraph (1) 
     shall permit States, upon providing adequate public notice, 
     to deviate from any requirement in the case of unforeseen 
     circumstances such as a natural disaster, terrorist attack, 
     or a change in voter turnout.
       ``(e) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with 
     respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2020.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Issuance of Voluntary 
     Guidance by Election Assistance Commission.--Section 311(b) 
     of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21101(b)), as amended by section 
     1101(b), is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (3);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (4) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(5) in the case of the recommendations with respect to 
     section 306, June 30, 2020.''.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act, 
     as amended by section 1031(c) and section 1101(d), is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 306 and 
     307 as relating to sections 307 and 308; and
       (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 305 the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 306. Early voting.''.

                       Subtitle I--Voting by Mail

     SEC. 1621. VOTING BY MAIL.

       (a) Requirements.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help 
     America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as 
     amended by section 1031(a), section 1101(a), and section 
     1611(a), is amended--
       (1) by redesignating sections 307 and 308 as sections 308 
     and 309; and
       (2) by inserting after section 306 the following new 
     section:

     ``SEC. 307. PROMOTING ABILITY OF VOTERS TO VOTE BY MAIL.

       ``(a) In General.--If an individual in a State is eligible 
     to cast a vote in an election for Federal office, the State 
     may not impose any additional conditions or requirements on 
     the eligibility of the individual to cast the vote in such 
     election by absentee ballot by mail, except as required under 
     subsection (b) and except to the extent that the State 
     imposes a deadline for requesting the ballot and related 
     voting materials from the appropriate State or local election 
     official and for returning the ballot to the appropriate 
     State or local election official.
       ``(b) Requiring Signature Verification.--
       ``(1) Requirement.--A State may not accept and process an 
     absentee ballot submitted by any individual with respect to 
     an election for Federal office unless the State verifies the 
     identification of the individual by comparing the 
     individual's signature on the absentee ballot with the 
     individual's signature on the official list of registered 
     voters in the State, in accordance with such procedures as 
     the State may adopt (subject to the requirements of paragraph 
     (2)).
       ``(2) Due process requirements.--
       ``(A) Notice and opportunity to cure discrepancy.--If an 
     individual submits an absentee ballot and the appropriate 
     State or local election official determines that a 
     discrepancy exists between the signature on such ballot and 
     the signature of such individual on the official list of 
     registered voters in the State, such election official, prior 
     to making a final determination as to the validity of such 
     ballot, shall make a good faith effort to immediately notify 
     such individual by mail, telephone, and (if available) 
     electronic mail that--
       ``(i) a discrepancy exists between the signature on such 
     ballot and the signature of such individual on the official 
     list of registered voters in the State;
       ``(ii) such individual may provide the official with 
     information to cure such discrepancy, either in person, by 
     telephone, or by electronic methods; and
       ``(iii) if such discrepancy is not cured prior to the 
     expiration of the 7-day period which begins on the date of 
     the election, such ballot will not be counted.
       ``(B) Other requirements.--An election official may not 
     make a determination that a discrepancy exists between the 
     signature on an absentee ballot and the signature of the 
     individual who submits the ballot on the official list of 
     registered voters in the State unless--
       ``(i) at least 2 election officials make the determination; 
     and
       ``(ii) each official who makes the determination has 
     received training in procedures used to verify signatures.
       ``(c) Deadline for Providing Balloting Materials.--If an 
     individual requests to vote by absentee ballot in an election 
     for Federal office, the appropriate State or local election 
     official shall ensure that the ballot and relating voting 
     materials are received by the individual--
       ``(1) not later than 2 weeks before the date of the 
     election; or
       ``(2) in the case of a State which imposes a deadline for 
     requesting an absentee ballot and related voting materials 
     which is less than 2 weeks before the date of the election, 
     as expeditiously as possible before the date of the election.
       ``(d) Accessibility for Individuals With Disabilities.--
     Consistent with section 305, the State shall ensure that all 
     absentee ballots and related voting materials in elections 
     for Federal office are accessible to individuals with 
     disabilities in a manner that provides the same opportunity 
     for access and participation (including with privacy and 
     independence) as for other voters.
       ``(e) Payment of Postage on Ballots.--Consistent with 
     regulations of the United States Postal Service, the State or 
     the unit of local government responsible for the 
     administration of an election for Federal office shall prepay 
     the postage on any ballot in the election which is cast by 
     mail.
       ``(f) Uniform Deadline for Acceptance of Mailed Ballots.--
     If a ballot submitted by an individual by mail with respect 
     to an election for Federal office in a State is postmarked on 
     or before the date of the election, the State may not refuse 
     to accept or process the ballot on the grounds that the 
     individual did not meet a deadline for returning the ballot 
     to the appropriate State or local election official.
       ``(g) No Effect on Ballots Submitted by Absent Military and 
     Overseas Voters.--Nothing in this section may be construed to 
     affect the treatment of any ballot submitted by an individual 
     who is entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the 
     Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 
     U.S.C. 20301 et seq.).
       ``(h) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with 
     respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2020.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Issuance of Voluntary 
     Guidance by Election Assistance Commission.--Section 311(b) 
     of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21101(b)), as amended by section 
     1101(b) and section 1611(b), is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (4);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(6) in the case of the recommendations with respect to 
     section 307, June 30, 2020.''.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act, 
     as amended by section 1031(c), section 1101(d), and section 
     1611(c), is amended--
       (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 307 and 
     308 as relating to sections 308 and 309; and
       (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 306 the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 307. Promoting ability of voters to vote by mail.''.
       (d) Development of Biometric Verification.--
       (1) Development of standards.--The National Institute of 
     Standards, in consultation with the Election Assistance 
     Commission, shall develop standards for the use of biometric 
     methods which could be used voluntarily in place of the 
     signature verification requirements of section 307(b) of the 
     Help America Vote Act of 2002 (as added by subsection (a)) 
     for purposes of verifying the identification of an individual 
     voting by absentee ballot in elections for Federal office.
       (2) Public notice and comment.--The National Institute of 
     Standards shall solicit comments from the public in the 
     development of standards under paragraph (1).
       (3) Deadline.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the National Institute of 
     Standards shall publish the standards developed under 
     paragraph (1).

    Subtitle J--Absent Uniformed Services Voters and Overseas Voters

     SEC. 1701. PRE-ELECTION REPORTS ON AVAILABILITY AND 
                   TRANSMISSION OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

       Section 102(c) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens 
     Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20302(c)) is amended to read 
     as follows:
       ``(c) Reports on Availability, Transmission, and Receipt of 
     Absentee Ballots.--
       ``(1) Pre-election report on absentee ballot 
     availability.--Not later than 55 days before any regularly 
     scheduled general election for Federal office, each State 
     shall submit a report to the Attorney General, the Election 
     Assistance Commission (hereafter in this subsection referred 
     to as the `Commission'), and the Presidential Designee, and 
     make that report publicly available that same day, certifying 
     that absentee ballots for the election are or will be 
     available for transmission to absent uniformed services 
     voters and overseas voters by not later than 45 days before 
     the election. The report shall be in a form prescribed 
     jointly by the Attorney General and the Commission and shall 
     require the State to certify specific information about 
     ballot availability from each unit of local government which 
     will administer the election.

[[Page H2427]]

       ``(2) Pre-election report on absentee ballot 
     transmission.--Not later than 43 days before any regularly 
     scheduled general election for Federal office, each State 
     shall submit a report to the Attorney General, the 
     Commission, and the Presidential Designee, and make that 
     report publicly available that same day, certifying whether 
     all absentee ballots have been transmitted by not later than 
     45 days before the election to all qualified absent uniformed 
     services and overseas voters whose requests were received at 
     least 45 days before the election. The report shall be in a 
     form prescribed jointly by the Attorney General and the 
     Commission, and shall require the State to certify specific 
     information about ballot transmission, including the total 
     numbers of ballot requests received and ballots transmitted, 
     from each unit of local government which will administer the 
     election.
       ``(3) Post-election report on number of absentee ballots 
     transmitted and received.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     date of each regularly scheduled general election for Federal 
     office, each State and unit of local government which 
     administered the election shall (through the State, in the 
     case of a unit of local government) submit a report to the 
     Attorney General, the Commission, and the Presidential 
     Designee on the combined number of absentee ballots 
     transmitted to absent uniformed services voters and overseas 
     voters for the election and the combined number of such 
     ballots which were returned by such voters and cast in the 
     election, and shall make such report available to the general 
     public that same day.''.

     SEC. 1702. ENFORCEMENT.

       (a) Availability of Civil Penalties and Private Rights of 
     Action.--Section 105 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens 
     Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20307) is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``SEC. 105. ENFORCEMENT.

       ``(a) Action by Attorney General.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Attorney General may bring civil 
     action in an appropriate district court for such declaratory 
     or injunctive relief as may be necessary to carry out this 
     title.
       ``(2) Penalty.--In a civil action brought under paragraph 
     (1), if the court finds that the State violated any provision 
     of this title, it may, to vindicate the public interest, 
     assess a civil penalty against the State--
       ``(A) in an amount not to exceed $110,000 for each such 
     violation, in the case of a first violation; or
       ``(B) in an amount not to exceed $220,000 for each such 
     violation, for any subsequent violation.
       ``(3) Report to congress.--Not later than December 31 of 
     each year, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress an 
     annual report on any civil action brought under paragraph (1) 
     during the preceding year.
       ``(b) Private Right of Action.--A person who is aggrieved 
     by a State's violation of this title may bring a civil action 
     in an appropriate district court for such declaratory or 
     injunctive relief as may be necessary to carry out this 
     title.
       ``(c) State as Only Necessary Defendant.--In any action 
     brought under this section, the only necessary party 
     defendant is the State, and it shall not be a defense to any 
     such action that a local election official or a unit of local 
     government is not named as a defendant, notwithstanding that 
     a State has exercised the authority described in section 576 
     of the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act to 
     delegate to another jurisdiction in the State any duty or 
     responsibility which is the subject of an action brought 
     under this section.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to violations alleged to have 
     occurred on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 1703. REVISIONS TO 45-DAY ABSENTEE BALLOT TRANSMISSION 
                   RULE.

       (a) Repeal of Waiver Authority.--
       (1) In general.--Section 102 of the Uniformed and Overseas 
     Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20302) is amended by 
     striking subsection (g).
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 102(a)(8)(A) of such Act 
     (52 U.S.C. 20302(a)(8)(A)) is amended by striking ``except as 
     provided in subsection (g),''.
       (b) Requiring Use of Express Delivery in Case of Failure to 
     Meet Requirement.--Section 102 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20302), 
     as amended by subsection (a), is amended by inserting after 
     subsection (f) the following new subsection:
       ``(g) Requiring Use of Express Delivery in Case of Failure 
     To Transmit Ballots Within Deadlines.--
       ``(1) Transmission of ballot by express delivery.--If a 
     State fails to meet the requirement of subsection (a)(8)(A) 
     to transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an absent 
     uniformed services voter or overseas voter not later than 45 
     days before the election (in the case in which the request is 
     received at least 45 days before the election)--
       ``(A) the State shall transmit the ballot to the voter by 
     express delivery; or
       ``(B) in the case of a voter who has designated that 
     absentee ballots be transmitted electronically in accordance 
     with subsection (f)(1), the State shall transmit the ballot 
     to the voter electronically.
       ``(2) Special rule for transmission fewer than 40 days 
     before the election.--If, in carrying out paragraph (1), a 
     State transmits an absentee ballot to an absent uniformed 
     services voter or overseas voter fewer than 40 days before 
     the election, the State shall enable the ballot to be 
     returned by the voter by express delivery, except that in the 
     case of an absentee ballot of an absent uniformed services 
     voter for a regularly scheduled general election for Federal 
     office, the State may satisfy the requirement of this 
     paragraph by notifying the voter of the procedures for the 
     collection and delivery of such ballots under section 103A.
       ``(3) Payment for use of express delivery.--The State shall 
     be responsible for the payment of the costs associated with 
     the use of express delivery for the transmittal of ballots 
     under this subsection.''.
       (c) Clarification of Treatment of Weekends.--Section 
     102(a)(8)(A) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20302(a)(8)(A)) is 
     amended by striking ``the election;'' and inserting the 
     following: ``the election (or, if the 45th day preceding the 
     election is a weekend or legal public holiday, not later than 
     the most recent weekday which precedes such 45th day and 
     which is not a legal public holiday, but only if the request 
     is received by at least such most recent weekday);''.

     SEC. 1704. USE OF SINGLE ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION FOR 
                   SUBSEQUENT ELECTIONS.

       (a) In General.--Section 104 of the Uniformed and Overseas 
     Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20306) is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``SEC. 104. USE OF SINGLE APPLICATION FOR SUBSEQUENT 
                   ELECTIONS.

       ``(a) In General.--If a State accepts and processes an 
     official post card form (prescribed under section 101) 
     submitted by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas 
     voter for simultaneous voter registration and absentee ballot 
     application (in accordance with section 102(a)(4)) and the 
     voter requests that the application be considered an 
     application for an absentee ballot for each subsequent 
     election for Federal office held in the State through the 
     next regularly scheduled general election for Federal office 
     (including any runoff elections which may occur as a result 
     of the outcome of such general election), the State shall 
     provide an absentee ballot to the voter for each such 
     subsequent election.
       ``(b) Exception for Voters Changing Registration.--
     Subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to a voter 
     registered to vote in a State for any election held after the 
     voter notifies the State that the voter no longer wishes to 
     be registered to vote in the State or after the State 
     determines that the voter has registered to vote in another 
     State or is otherwise no longer eligible to vote in the 
     State.
       ``(c) Prohibition of Refusal of Application on Grounds of 
     Early Submission.--A State may not refuse to accept or to 
     process, with respect to any election for Federal office, any 
     otherwise valid voter registration application or absentee 
     ballot application (including the postcard form prescribed 
     under section 101) submitted by an absent uniformed services 
     voter or overseas voter on the grounds that the voter 
     submitted the application before the first date on which the 
     State otherwise accepts or processes such applications for 
     that election which are submitted by absentee voters who are 
     not members of the uniformed services or overseas 
     citizens.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to voter registration and absentee 
     ballot applications which are submitted to a State or local 
     election official on or after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 1705. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       The amendments made by this subtitle shall apply with 
     respect to elections occurring on or after January 1, 2020.

            Subtitle K--Poll Worker Recruitment and Training

     SEC. 1801. GRANTS TO STATES FOR POLL WORKER RECRUITMENT AND 
                   TRAINING.

       (a) Grants by Election Assistance Commission.--
       (1) In general.--The Election Assistance Commission 
     (hereafter referred to as the ``Commission'') shall, subject 
     to the availability of appropriations provided to carry out 
     this section, make a grant to each eligible State for 
     recruiting and training individuals to serve as poll workers 
     on dates of elections for public office.
       (2) Use of commission materials.--In carrying out 
     activities with a grant provided under this section, the 
     recipient of the grant shall use the manual prepared by the 
     Commission on successful practices for poll worker 
     recruiting, training and retention as an interactive training 
     tool, and shall develop training programs with the 
     participation and input of experts in adult learning.
       (b) Requirements for Eligibility.--
       (1) Application.--Each State that desires to receive a 
     payment under this section shall submit an application for 
     the payment to the Commission at such time and in such manner 
     and containing such information as the Commission shall 
     require.
       (2) Contents of application.--Each application submitted 
     under paragraph (1) shall--
       (A) describe the activities for which assistance under this 
     section is sought;
       (B) provide assurances that the funds provided under this 
     section will be used to supplement and not supplant other 
     funds used to carry out the activities;
       (C) provide assurances that the State will furnish the 
     Commission with information on the number of individuals who 
     served as poll workers after recruitment and training with 
     the funds provided under this section; and

[[Page H2428]]

       (D) provide such additional information and certifications 
     as the Commission determines to be essential to ensure 
     compliance with the requirements of this section.
       (c) Amount of Grant.--
       (1) In general.--The amount of a grant made to a State 
     under this section shall be equal to the product of--
       (A) the aggregate amount made available for grants to 
     States under this section; and
       (B) the voting age population percentage for the State.
       (2) Voting age population percentage defined.--In paragraph 
     (1), the ``voting age population percentage'' for a State is 
     the quotient of--
       (A) the voting age population of the State (as determined 
     on the basis of the most recent information available from 
     the Bureau of the Census); and
       (B) the total voting age population of all States (as 
     determined on the basis of the most recent information 
     available from the Bureau of the Census).
       (d) Reports to Congress.--
       (1) Reports by recipients of grants.--Not later than 6 
     months after the date on which the final grant is made under 
     this section, each recipient of a grant shall submit a report 
     to the Commission on the activities conducted with the funds 
     provided by the grant.
       (2) Reports by commission.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date on which the final grant is made under this section, the 
     Commission shall submit a report to Congress on the grants 
     made under this section and the activities carried out by 
     recipients with the grants, and shall include in the report 
     such recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate.
       (e) Funding.--
       (1) Continuing availability of amount appropriated.--Any 
     amount appropriated to carry out this section shall remain 
     available without fiscal year limitation until expended.
       (2) Administrative expenses.--Of the amount appropriated 
     for any fiscal year to carry out this section, not more than 
     3 percent shall be available for administrative expenses of 
     the Commission.

     SEC. 1802. STATE DEFINED.

       In this subtitle, the term ``State'' includes the District 
     of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American 
     Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth 
     of the Northern Mariana Islands.

                 Subtitle L--Enhancement of Enforcement

     SEC. 1811. ENHANCEMENT OF ENFORCEMENT OF HELP AMERICA VOTE 
                   ACT OF 2002.

       (a) Complaints; Availability of Private Right of Action.--
     Section 401 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 
     21111) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``The Attorney General'' and inserting 
     ``(a) In General.--The Attorney General''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
       ``(b) Filing of Complaints by Aggrieved Persons.--
       ``(1) In general.--A person who is aggrieved by a violation 
     of title III which has occurred, is occurring, or is about to 
     occur may file a written, signed, notarized complaint with 
     the Attorney General describing the violation and requesting 
     the Attorney General to take appropriate action under this 
     section. The Attorney General shall immediately provide a 
     copy of a complaint filed under the previous sentence to the 
     entity responsible for administering the State-based 
     administrative complaint procedures described in section 
     402(a) for the State involved.
       ``(2) Response by attorney general.--The Attorney General 
     shall respond to each complaint filed under paragraph (1), in 
     accordance with procedures established by the Attorney 
     General that require responses and determinations to be made 
     within the same (or shorter) deadlines which apply to a State 
     under the State-based administrative complaint procedures 
     described in section 402(a)(2). The Attorney General shall 
     immediately provide a copy of the response made under the 
     previous sentence to the entity responsible for administering 
     the State-based administrative complaint procedures described 
     in section 402(a) for the State involved.
       ``(c) Availability of Private Right of Action.--Any person 
     who is authorized to file a complaint under subsection (b)(1) 
     (including any individual who seeks to enforce the 
     individual's right to a voter-verified paper ballot, the 
     right to have the voter-verified paper ballot counted in 
     accordance with this Act, or any other right under title III) 
     may file an action under section 1979 of the Revised Statutes 
     of the United States (42 U.S.C. 1983) to enforce the uniform 
     and nondiscriminatory election technology and administration 
     requirements under subtitle A of title III.
       ``(d) No Effect on State Procedures.--Nothing in this 
     section may be construed to affect the availability of the 
     State-based administrative complaint procedures required 
     under section 402 to any person filing a complaint under this 
     subsection.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to violations occurring with respect 
     to elections for Federal office held in 2020 or any 
     succeeding year.

                 Subtitle M--Federal Election Integrity

     SEC. 1821. PROHIBITION ON CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES BY CHIEF STATE 
                   ELECTION ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS.

       (a) In General.--Title III of the Federal Election Campaign 
     Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.) is amended by inserting 
     after section 319 the following new section:


 ``campaign activities by chief state election administration officials

       ``Sec. 319A.  (a) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for a 
     chief State election administration official to take an 
     active part in political management or in a political 
     campaign with respect to any election for Federal office over 
     which such official has supervisory authority.
       ``(b) Chief State Election Administration Official.--The 
     term `chief State election administration official' means the 
     highest State official with responsibility for the 
     administration of Federal elections under State law.
       ``(c) Active Part in Political Management or in a Political 
     Campaign.--The term `active part in political management or 
     in a political campaign' means--
       ``(1) serving as a member of an authorized committee of a 
     candidate for Federal office;
       ``(2) the use of official authority or influence for the 
     purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an 
     election for Federal office;
       ``(3) the solicitation, acceptance, or receipt of a 
     contribution from any person on behalf of a candidate for 
     Federal office; and
       ``(4) any other act which would be prohibited under 
     paragraph (2) or (3) of section 7323(b) of title 5, United 
     States Code, if taken by an individual to whom such paragraph 
     applies (other than any prohibition on running for public 
     office).
       ``(d) Exception in Case of Recusal From Administration of 
     Elections Involving Official or Immediate Family Member.--
       ``(1) In general.--This section does not apply to a chief 
     State election administration official with respect to an 
     election for Federal office in which the official or an 
     immediate family member of the official is a candidate, but 
     only if--
       ``(A) such official recuses himself or herself from all of 
     the official's responsibilities for the administration of 
     such election; and
       ``(B) the official who assumes responsibility for 
     supervising the administration of the election does not 
     report directly to such official.
       ``(2) Immediate family member defined.--In paragraph (1), 
     the term `immediate family member' means, with respect to a 
     candidate, a father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, 
     husband, wife, father-in-law, or mother-in-law.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office held 
     after December 2019.

  Subtitle N--Promoting Voter Access Through Election Administration 
                              Improvements

                     PART 1--PROMOTING VOTER ACCESS

     SEC. 1901. TREATMENT OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

       (a) Treatment of Certain Institutions as Voter Registration 
     Agencies Under National Voter Registration Act of 1993.--
     Section 7(a) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 
     (52 U.S.C. 20506(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (A);
       (B) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(C) each institution of higher education which has a 
     program participation agreement in effect with the Secretary 
     of Education under section 487 of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094), other than an institution which is 
     treated as a contributing agency under the Automatic Voter 
     Registration Act of 2019.''; and
       (2) in paragraph (6)(A), by inserting ``or, in the case of 
     an institution of higher education, with each registration of 
     a student for enrollment in a course of study, including 
     enrollment in a program of distance education, as defined in 
     section 103(7) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1003(7)),'' after ``assistance,''.
       (b) Responsibilities of Institutions Under Higher Education 
     Act of 1965.--
       (1) In general.--Section 487(a)(23) of the Higher Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)(23)) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(23)(A)(i) The institution will ensure that an 
     appropriate staff person or office is designated publicly as 
     a `Campus Vote Coordinator' and will ensure that such 
     person's or office's contact information is included on the 
     institution's website.
       ``(ii) Not fewer than twice during each calendar year 
     (beginning with 2020), the Campus Vote Coordinator shall 
     transmit electronically to each student enrolled in the 
     institution (including students enrolled in distance 
     education programs) a message containing the following 
     information:
       ``(I) Information on the location of polling places in the 
     jurisdiction in which the institution is located, together 
     with information on available methods of transportation to 
     and from such polling places.
       ``(II) A referral to a government-affiliated website or 
     online platform which provides centralized voter registration 
     information for all States, including access to applicable 
     voter registration forms and information to assist 
     individuals who are not registered to vote in registering to 
     vote.
       ``(III) Any additional voter registration and voting 
     information the Coordinator considers appropriate, in 
     consultation with the appropriate State election official.

[[Page H2429]]

       ``(iii) In addition to transmitting the message described 
     in clause (ii) not fewer than twice during each calendar 
     year, the Campus Vote Coordinator shall transmit the message 
     under such clause not fewer than 30 days prior to the 
     deadline for registering to vote for any election for 
     Federal, State, or local office in the State.
       ``(B) If the institution in its normal course of operations 
     requests each student registering for enrollment in a course 
     of study, including students registering for enrollment in a 
     program of distance education, to affirm whether or not the 
     student is a United States citizen, the institution will 
     comply with the applicable requirements for a contributing 
     agency under the Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2019.
       ``(C) If the institution is not described in subparagraph 
     (B), the institution will comply with the requirements for a 
     voter registration agency in the State in which it is located 
     in accordance with section 7 of the National Voter 
     Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20506).
       ``(D) This paragraph applies only with respect to an 
     institution which is located in a State to which section 4(b) 
     of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
     20503(b)) does not apply.''.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
     shall apply with respect to elections held on or after 
     January 1, 2020.
       (c) Grants to Institutions Demonstrating Excellence in 
     Student Voter Registration.--
       (1) Grants authorized.--The Secretary of Education may 
     award competitive grants to public and private nonprofit 
     institutions of higher education that are subject to the 
     requirements of section 487(a)(23) of the Higher Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)(23)), as amended by subsection 
     (a) and that the Secretary determines have demonstrated 
     excellence in registering students to vote in elections for 
     public office beyond meeting the minimum requirements of such 
     section.
       (2) Eligibility.--An institution of higher education is 
     eligible to receive a grant under this subsection if the 
     institution submits to the Secretary of Education, at such 
     time and in such form as the Secretary may require, an 
     application containing such information and assurances as the 
     Secretary may require to make the determination described in 
     paragraph (1), including information and assurances that the 
     institution carried out activities to promote voter 
     registration by students, such as the following:
       (A) Sponsoring large on-campus voter mobilization efforts.
       (B) Engaging the surrounding community in nonpartisan voter 
     registration and get out the vote efforts.
       (C) Creating a website for students with centralized 
     information about voter registration and election dates.
       (D) Inviting candidates to speak on campus.
       (E) Offering rides to students to the polls to increase 
     voter education, registration, and mobilization.
       (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated for fiscal year 2020 and each succeeding 
     fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to award grants 
     under this subsection.
       (d) Sense of Congress Relating to Option of Students to 
     Register in Jurisdiction of Institution of Higher Education 
     or Jurisdiction of Domicile.--It is the sense of Congress 
     that, as provided under existing law, students who attend an 
     institution of higher education and reside in the 
     jurisdiction of the institution while attending the 
     institution should have the option of registering to vote in 
     elections for Federal office in that jurisdiction or in the 
     jurisdiction of their own domicile.

     SEC. 1902. MINIMUM NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTERS 
                   AFFECTED BY POLLING PLACE CHANGES.

       (a) Requirements.--Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act 
     of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21082), as amended by section 1601(a), is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(f) Minimum Notification Requirements for Voters Affected 
     by Polling Place Changes.--
       ``(1) In general.--If a State assigns an individual who is 
     a registered voter in a State to a polling place with respect 
     to an election for Federal office which is not the same 
     polling place to which the individual was previously assigned 
     with respect to the most recent election for Federal office 
     in the State in which the individual was eligible to vote--
       ``(A) the State shall notify the individual of the location 
     of the polling place not later than 7 days before the date of 
     the election; or
       ``(B) if the State makes such an assignment fewer than 7 
     days before the date of the election and the individual 
     appears on the date of the election at the polling place to 
     which the individual was previously assigned, the State shall 
     make every reasonable effort to enable the individual to vote 
     on the date of the election.
       ``(2) Effective date.--This subsection shall apply with 
     respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2020.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 302(g) of such Act (52 
     U.S.C. 21082(g)), as redesignated by subsection (a) and as 
     amended by section 1601(b), is amended by striking ``(d)(2) 
     and (e)(2)'' and inserting ``(d)(2), (e)(2), and (f)(2)''.

     SEC. 1903. PERMITTING USE OF SWORN WRITTEN STATEMENT TO MEET 
                   IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTING.

       (a) Permitting Use of Statement.--Title III of the Help 
     America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended 
     by inserting after section 303 the following new section:

     ``SEC. 303A. PERMITTING USE OF SWORN WRITTEN STATEMENT TO 
                   MEET IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.

       ``(a) Use of Statement.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in subsection (c), if 
     a State has in effect a requirement that an individual 
     present identification as a condition of receiving and 
     casting a ballot in an election for Federal office, the State 
     shall permit the individual to meet the requirement--
       ``(A) in the case of an individual who desires to vote in 
     person, by presenting the appropriate State or local election 
     official with a sworn written statement, signed by the 
     individual under penalty of perjury, attesting to the 
     individual's identity and attesting that the individual is 
     eligible to vote in the election; or
       ``(B) in the case of an individual who desires to vote by 
     mail, by submitting with the ballot the statement described 
     in subparagraph (A).
       ``(2) Development of pre-printed version of statement by 
     commission.--The Commission shall develop a pre-printed 
     version of the statement described in paragraph (1)(A) which 
     includes a blank space for an individual to provide a name 
     and signature for use by election officials in States which 
     are subject to paragraph (1).
       ``(3) Providing pre-printed copy of statement.--A State 
     which is subject to paragraph (1) shall--
       ``(A) make copies of the pre-printed version of the 
     statement described in paragraph (1)(A) which is prepared by 
     the Commission available at polling places for election 
     officials to distribute to individuals who desire to vote in 
     person; and
       ``(B) include a copy of such pre-printed version of the 
     statement with each blank absentee or other ballot 
     transmitted to an individual who desires to vote by mail.
       ``(b) Requiring Use of Ballot in Same Manner as Individuals 
     Presenting Identification.--An individual who presents or 
     submits a sworn written statement in accordance with 
     subsection (a)(1) shall be permitted to cast a ballot in the 
     election in the same manner as an individual who presents 
     identification.
       ``(c) Exception for First-time Voters Registering by 
     Mail.--Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply with respect to 
     any individual described in paragraph (1) of section 303(b) 
     who is required to meet the requirements of paragraph (2) of 
     such section.''.
       (b) Requiring States to Include Information on Use of Sworn 
     Written Statement in Voting Information Material Posted at 
     Polling Places.--Section 302(b)(2) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
     21082(b)(2)), as amended by section 1072(b) and section 
     1202(b), is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (G);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (H) 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(I) in the case of a State that has in effect a 
     requirement that an individual present identification as a 
     condition of receiving and casting a ballot in an election 
     for Federal office, information on how an individual may meet 
     such requirement by presenting a sworn written statement in 
     accordance with section 303A.''.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act 
     is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
     303 the following new item:

``Sec. 303A. Permitting use of sworn written statement to meet 
              identification requirements.''.
       (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to elections occurring on or after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 1904. POSTAGE-FREE BALLOTS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 34 of title 39, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding after section 3406 the following:

     ``Sec. 3407. Absentee ballots

       ``(a) Any absentee ballot for any election for Federal 
     office shall be carried expeditiously, with postage prepaid 
     by the State or unit of local government responsible for the 
     administration of the election.
       ``(b) As used in this section, the term `absentee ballot' 
     means any ballot transmitted by a voter by mail in an 
     election for Federal office, but does not include any ballot 
     covered by section 3406.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     34 of such title is amended by inserting after the item 
     relating to section 3406 the following:

``3407. Absentee ballots carried free of postage.''.

     SEC. 1905. REIMBURSEMENT FOR COSTS INCURRED BY STATES IN 
                   ESTABLISHING PROGRAM TO TRACK AND CONFIRM 
                   RECEIPT OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

       (a) Reimbursement.--Subtitle D of title II of the Help 
     America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15401 et seq.) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following new part:

[[Page H2430]]

  


     ``PART 7--PAYMENTS TO REIMBURSE STATES FOR COSTS INCURRED IN 
 ESTABLISHING PROGRAM TO TRACK AND CONFIRM RECEIPT OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS

     ``SEC. 297. PAYMENTS TO STATES.

       ``(a) Payments For Costs of Establishing Program.--In 
     accordance with this section, the Commission shall make a 
     payment to a State to reimburse the State for the costs 
     incurred in establishing, if the State so chooses to 
     establish, an absentee ballot tracking program with respect 
     to elections for Federal office held in the State (including 
     costs incurred prior to the date of the enactment of this 
     part).
       ``(b) Absentee Ballot Tracking Program Described.--
       ``(1) Program described.--
       ``(A) In general.--In this part, an `absentee ballot 
     tracking program' is a program to track and confirm the 
     receipt of absentee ballots in an election for Federal office 
     under which the State or local election official responsible 
     for the receipt of voted absentee ballots in the election 
     carries out procedures to track and confirm the receipt of 
     such ballots, and makes information on the receipt of such 
     ballots available to the individual who cast the ballot, by 
     means of online access using the Internet site of the 
     official's office.
       ``(B) Information on whether vote was counted.--The 
     information referred to under subparagraph (A) with respect 
     to the receipt of an absentee ballot shall include 
     information regarding whether the vote cast on the ballot was 
     counted, and, in the case of a vote which was not counted, 
     the reasons therefor.
       ``(2) Use of toll-free telephone number by officials 
     without internet site.--A program established by a State or 
     local election official whose office does not have an 
     Internet site may meet the description of a program under 
     paragraph (1) if the official has established a toll-free 
     telephone number that may be used by an individual who cast 
     an absentee ballot to obtain the information on the receipt 
     of the voted absentee ballot as provided under such 
     paragraph.
       ``(c) Certification of Compliance and Costs.--
       ``(1) Certification required.--In order to receive a 
     payment under this section, a State shall submit to the 
     Commission a statement containing--
       ``(A) a certification that the State has established an 
     absentee ballot tracking program with respect to elections 
     for Federal office held in the State; and
       ``(B) a statement of the costs incurred by the State in 
     establishing the program.
       ``(2) Amount of payment.--The amount of a payment made to a 
     State under this section shall be equal to the costs incurred 
     by the State in establishing the absentee ballot tracking 
     program, as set forth in the statement submitted under 
     paragraph (1), except that such amount may not exceed the 
     product of--
       ``(A) the number of jurisdictions in the State which are 
     responsible for operating the program; and
       ``(B) $3,000.
       ``(3) Limit on number of payments received.--A State may 
     not receive more than one payment under this part.

     ``SEC. 297A. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``(a) Authorization.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Commission for fiscal year 2020 and each 
     succeeding fiscal year such sums as may be necessary for 
     payments under this part.
       ``(b) Continuing Availability of Funds.--Any amounts 
     appropriated pursuant to the authorization under this section 
     shall remain available until expended.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act 
     is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to 
     subtitle D of title II the following:

     ``Part 7--Payments to Reimburse States for Costs Incurred in 
 Establishing Program to Track and Confirm Receipt of Absentee Ballots

``Sec. 297. Payments to States.
``Sec. 297A. Authorization of appropriations.''.

     SEC. 1906. VOTER INFORMATION RESPONSE SYSTEMS AND HOTLINE.

       (a) Establishment and Operation of Systems and Services.--
       (1) State-based response systems.--The Attorney General 
     shall coordinate the establishment of a State-based response 
     system for responding to questions and complaints from 
     individuals voting or seeking to vote, or registering to vote 
     or seeking to register to vote, in elections for Federal 
     office. Such system shall provide--
       (A) State-specific, same-day, and immediate assistance to 
     such individuals, including information on how to register to 
     vote, the location and hours of operation of polling places, 
     and how to obtain absentee ballots; and
       (B) State-specific, same-day, and immediate assistance to 
     individuals encountering problems with registering to vote or 
     voting, including individuals encountering intimidation or 
     deceptive practices.
       (2) Hotline.--The Attorney General, in consultation with 
     State election officials, shall establish and operate a toll-
     free telephone service, using a telephone number that is 
     accessible throughout the United States and that uses easily 
     identifiable numerals, through which individuals throughout 
     the United States--
       (A) may connect directly to the State-based response system 
     described in paragraph (1) with respect to the State 
     involved;
       (B) may obtain information on voting in elections for 
     Federal office, including information on how to register to 
     vote in such elections, the locations and hours of operation 
     of polling places, and how to obtain absentee ballots; and
       (C) may report information to the Attorney General on 
     problems encountered in registering to vote or voting, 
     including incidences of voter intimidation or suppression.
       (3) Collaboration with state and local election 
     officials.--
       (A) Collection of information from states.--The Attorney 
     General shall coordinate the collection of information on 
     State and local election laws and policies, including 
     information on the Statewide computerized voter registration 
     lists maintained under title III of the Help America Vote Act 
     of 2002, so that individuals who contact the free telephone 
     service established under paragraph (2) on the date of an 
     election for Federal office may receive an immediate response 
     on that day.
       (B) Forwarding questions and complaints to states.--If an 
     individual contacts the free telephone service established 
     under paragraph (2) on the date of an election for Federal 
     office with a question or complaint with respect to a 
     particular State or jurisdiction within a State, the Attorney 
     General shall forward the question or complaint immediately 
     to the appropriate election official of the State or 
     jurisdiction so that the official may answer the question or 
     remedy the complaint on that date.
       (4) Consultation requirements for development of systems 
     and services.--The Attorney General shall ensure that the 
     State-based response system under paragraph (1) and the free 
     telephone service under paragraph (2) are each developed in 
     consultation with civil rights organizations, voting rights 
     groups, State and local election officials, voter protection 
     groups, and other interested community organizations, 
     especially those that have experience in the operation of 
     similar systems and services.
       (b) Use of Service by Individuals With Disabilities and 
     Individuals With Limited English Language Proficiency.--The 
     Attorney General shall design and operate the telephone 
     service established under this section in a manner that 
     ensures that individuals with disabilities are fully able to 
     use the service, and that assistance is provided in any 
     language in which the State (or any jurisdiction in the 
     State) is required to provide election materials under 
     section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965..
       (c) Voter Hotline Task Force.--
       (1) Appointment by attorney general.--The Attorney General 
     shall appoint individuals (in such number as the Attorney 
     General considers appropriate but in no event fewer than 3) 
     to serve on a Voter Hotline Task Force to provide ongoing 
     analysis and assessment of the operation of the telephone 
     service established under this section, and shall give 
     special consideration in making appointments to the Task 
     Force to individuals who represent civil rights 
     organizations. At least one member of the Task Force shall be 
     a representative of an organization promoting voting rights 
     or civil rights which has experience in the operation of 
     similar telephone services or in protecting the rights of 
     individuals to vote, especially individuals who are members 
     of racial, ethnic, or linguistic minorities or of communities 
     who have been adversely affected by efforts to suppress 
     voting rights.
       (2) Eligibility.--An individual shall be eligible to serve 
     on the Task Force under this subsection if the individual 
     meets such criteria as the Attorney General may establish, 
     except that an individual may not serve on the task force if 
     the individual has been convicted of any criminal offense 
     relating to voter intimidation or voter suppression.
       (3) Term of service.--An individual appointed to the Task 
     Force shall serve a single term of 2 years, except that the 
     initial terms of the members first appointed to the Task 
     Force shall be staggered so that there are at least 3 
     individuals serving on the Task Force during each year. A 
     vacancy in the membership of the Task Force shall be filled 
     in the same manner as the original appointment.
       (4) No compensation for service.--Members of the Task Force 
     shall serve without pay, but shall receive travel expenses, 
     including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with 
     applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of 
     title 5, United States Code.
       (d) Bi-Annual Report to Congress.--Not later than March 1 
     of each odd-numbered year, the Attorney General shall submit 
     a report to Congress on the operation of the telephone 
     service established under this section during the previous 2 
     years, and shall include in the report--
       (1) an enumeration of the number and type of calls that 
     were received by the service;
       (2) a compilation and description of the reports made to 
     the service by individuals citing instances of voter 
     intimidation or suppression;
       (3) an assessment of the effectiveness of the service in 
     making information available to all households in the United 
     States with telephone service;
       (4) any recommendations developed by the Task Force 
     established under subsection (c) with respect to how voting 
     systems may be maintained or upgraded to better accommodate 
     voters and better ensure the integrity

[[Page H2431]]

     of elections, including but not limited to identifying how to 
     eliminate coordinated voter suppression efforts and how to 
     establish effective mechanisms for distributing updates on 
     changes to voting requirements; and
       (5) any recommendations on best practices for the State-
     based response systems established under subsection (a)(1).
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to the Attorney General for fiscal year 2019 and each 
     succeeding fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry 
     out this section.
       (2) Set-aside for outreach.--Of the amounts appropriated to 
     carry out this section for a fiscal year pursuant to the 
     authorization under paragraph (1), not less than 15 percent 
     shall be used for outreach activities to make the public 
     aware of the availability of the telephone service 
     established under this section, with an emphasis on outreach 
     to individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited 
     proficiency in the English language.

  PART 2--IMPROVEMENTS IN OPERATION OF ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION

     SEC. 1911. REAUTHORIZATION OF ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION.

       Section 210 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 
     20930) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``for each of the fiscal years 2003 through 
     2005'' and inserting ``for fiscal year 2019 and each 
     succeeding fiscal year''; and
       (2) by striking ``(but not to exceed $10,000,000 for each 
     such year)''.

     SEC. 1913. REQUIRING STATES TO PARTICIPATE IN POST-GENERAL 
                   ELECTION SURVEYS.

       (a) Requirement.--Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 
     2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 
     1903(a), is further amended by inserting after section 303A 
     the following new section:

     ``SEC. 303B. REQUIRING PARTICIPATION IN POST-GENERAL ELECTION 
                   SURVEYS.

       ``(a) Requirement.--Each State shall furnish to the 
     Commission such information as the Commission may request for 
     purposes of conducting any post-election survey of the States 
     with respect to the administration of a regularly scheduled 
     general election for Federal office.
       ``(b) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with 
     respect to the regularly scheduled general election for 
     Federal office held in November 2020 and any succeeding 
     election.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act, 
     as amended by section 1903(c), is further amended by 
     inserting after the item relating to section 303A the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 303B. Requiring participation in post-general election 
              surveys.''.

     SEC. 1914. REPORTS BY NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND 
                   TECHNOLOGY ON USE OF FUNDS TRANSFERRED FROM 
                   ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION.

       (a) Requiring Reports on Use Funds as Condition of 
     Receipt.--Section 231 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
     (52 U.S.C. 20971) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subsection:
       ``(e) Report on Use of Funds Transferred From Commission.--
     To the extent that funds are transferred from the Commission 
     to the Director of the National Institute of Standards and 
     Technology for purposes of carrying out this section during 
     any fiscal year, the Director may not use such funds unless 
     the Director certifies at the time of transfer that the 
     Director will submit a report to the Commission not later 
     than 90 days after the end of the fiscal year detailing how 
     the Director used such funds during the year.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2020 and each 
     succeeding fiscal year.

     SEC. 1915. RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS OF ELECTION 
                   ASSISTANCE COMMISSION.

       (a) Assessment of Information Technology and 
     Cybersecurity.--Not later than December 31, 2019, the 
     Election Assistance Commission shall carry out an assessment 
     of the security and effectiveness of the Commission's 
     information technology systems, including the cybersecurity 
     of such systems.
       (b) Improvements to Administrative Complaint Procedures.--
       (1) Review of procedures.--The Election Assistance 
     Commission shall carry out a review of the effectiveness and 
     efficiency of the State-based administrative complaint 
     procedures established and maintained under section 402 of 
     the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21112) for the 
     investigation and resolution of allegations of violations of 
     title III of such Act.
       (2) Recommendations to streamline procedures.--Not later 
     than December 31, 2019, the Commission shall submit to 
     Congress a report on the review carried out under paragraph 
     (1), and shall include in the report such recommendations as 
     the Commission considers appropriate to streamline and 
     improve the procedures which are the subject of the review.

     SEC. 1916. REPEAL OF EXEMPTION OF ELECTION ASSISTANCE 
                   COMMISSION FROM CERTAIN GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING 
                   REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 205 of the Help America Vote Act 
     of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20925) is amended by striking subsection 
     (e).
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to contracts entered into by the 
     Election Assistance Commission on or after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.

                    PART 3--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     SEC. 1921. APPLICATION OF LAWS TO COMMONWEALTH OF NORTHERN 
                   MARIANA ISLANDS.

       (a) National Voter Registration Act of 1993.--Section 3(4) 
     of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
     20502(4)) is amended by striking ``States and the District of 
     Columbia'' and inserting ``States, the District of Columbia, 
     and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands''.
       (b) Help America Vote Act of 2002.--
       (1) Coverage of commonwealth of the northern mariana 
     islands.--Section 901 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
     (52 U.S.C. 21141) is amended by striking ``and the United 
     States Virgin Islands'' and inserting ``the United States 
     Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
     Islands''.
       (2) Conforming amendments to help america vote act of 
     2002.--Such Act is further amended as follows:
       (A) The second sentence of section 213(a)(2) (52 U.S.C. 
     20943(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``and American Samoa'' 
     and inserting ``American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the 
     Northern Mariana Islands''.
       (B) Section 252(c)(2) (52 U.S.C. 21002(c)(2)) is amended by 
     striking ``or the United States Virgin Islands'' and 
     inserting ``the United States Virgin Islands, or the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands''.
       (3) Conforming amendment relating to consultation of help 
     america vote foundation with local election officials.--
     Section 90102(c) of title 36, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking ``and the United States Virgin Islands'' and 
     inserting ``the United States Virgin Islands, and the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands''.
       (4) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
     shall apply with respect to fiscal years beginning with the 
     first fiscal year which begins after funds are appropriated 
     to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands pursuant 
     to the payment under section 2.

     SEC. 1922. NO EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.

       (a) In General.--Except as specifically provided, nothing 
     in this title may be construed to authorize or require 
     conduct prohibited under any of the following laws, or to 
     supersede, restrict, or limit the application of such laws:
       (1) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et 
     seq.).
       (2) The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and 
     Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C. 20101 et seq.).
       (3) The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act 
     (52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq.).
       (4) The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
     20501 et seq.).
       (5) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
     12101 et seq.).
       (6) The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.).
       (b) No Effect on Preclearance or Other Requirements Under 
     Voting Rights Act.--The approval by any person of a payment 
     or grant application under this title, or any other action 
     taken by any person under this title, shall not be considered 
     to have any effect on requirements for preclearance under 
     section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10304) 
     or any other requirements of such Act.
       (c) No Effect on Authority of States to Provide Greater 
     Opportunities for Voting.--Nothing in this title or the 
     amendments made by this title may be construed to prohibit 
     any State from enacting any law which provides greater 
     opportunities for individuals to register to vote and to vote 
     in elections for Federal office than are provided by this 
     title and the amendments made by this title.

                        Subtitle O--Severability

     SEC. 1931. SEVERABILITY.

       If any provision of this title or amendment made by this 
     title, or the application of a provision or amendment to any 
     person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the 
     remainder of this title and amendments made by this title, 
     and the application of the provisions and amendment to any 
     person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.

                      TITLE II--ELECTION INTEGRITY

Subtitle A--Findings Reaffirming Commitment of Congress to Restore the 
                           Voting Rights Act

Sec. 2001. Findings reaffirming commitment of Congress to restore the 
              Voting Rights Act.

     Subtitle B--Findings Relating to Native American Voting Rights

Sec. 2101. Findings relating to Native American voting rights.

    Subtitle C--Findings Relating to District of Columbia Statehood

Sec. 2201. Findings relating to District of Columbia statehood.

       Subtitle D--Findings Relating to Territorial Voting Rights

Sec. 2301. Findings relating to territorial voting rights.

                    Subtitle E--Redistricting Reform

Sec. 2400. Short title; finding of constitutional authority.

[[Page H2432]]

          Part 1--Requirements for Congressional Redistricting

Sec. 2401. Requiring congressional redistricting to be conducted 
              through plan of independent State commission.
Sec. 2402. Ban on mid-decade redistricting.

             Part 2--Independent Redistricting Commissions

Sec. 2411. Independent redistricting commission.
Sec. 2412. Establishment of selection pool of individuals eligible to 
              serve as members of commission.
Sec. 2413. Criteria for redistricting plan by independent commission; 
              public notice and input.
Sec. 2414. Establishment of related entities.

      Part 3--Role of Courts in Development of Redistricting Plans

Sec. 2421. Enactment of plan developed by 3-judge court.
Sec. 2422. Special rule for redistricting conducted under order of 
              Federal court.

          Part 4--Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec. 2431. Payments to States for carrying out redistricting.
Sec. 2432. Civil enforcement.
Sec. 2433. State apportionment notice defined.
Sec. 2434. No effect on elections for State and local office.
Sec. 2435. Effective date.

         Subtitle F--Saving Eligible Voters From Voter Purging

Sec. 2501. Short title.
Sec. 2502. Conditions for removal of voters from list of registered 
              voters.

    Subtitle G--No Effect on Authority of States to Provide Greater 
                        Opportunities for Voting

Sec. 2601. No effect on authority of States to provide greater 
              opportunities for voting.

                        Subtitle H--Severability

Sec. 2701. Severability.

Subtitle A--Findings Reaffirming Commitment of Congress to Restore the 
                           Voting Rights Act

     SEC. 2001. FINDINGS REAFFIRMING COMMITMENT OF CONGRESS TO 
                   RESTORE THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) The right to vote for all Americans is sacrosanct and 
     rules for voting and election administration should protect 
     the right to vote and promote voter participation.
       (2) The Voting Rights Act has empowered the Department of 
     Justice and Federal courts for nearly a half a century to 
     block discriminatory voting practices before their 
     implementation in States and localities with the most 
     troubling histories and ongoing records of racial 
     discrimination.
       (3) There continues to be an alarming movement to erect 
     barriers to make it more difficult for Americans to 
     participate in our Nation's democratic process. The Nation 
     has witnessed unprecedented efforts to turn back the clock 
     and erect barriers to voting for communities of color which 
     have faced historic and continuing discrimination, as well as 
     disabled, young, elderly, and low-income Americans.
       (4) The Supreme Court's 2013 Shelby County v. Holder 
     decision gutted decades-long Federal protections for 
     communities of color that face historic and continuing 
     discrimination, emboldening States and local jurisdictions to 
     pass voter suppression laws and implement procedures, such as 
     those requiring photo identification, limiting early voting 
     hours, eliminating same-day registration, purging voters from 
     the rolls, and reducing the number of polling places. 
     Congress is committed to reversing the devastating impact of 
     this decision.
       (5) Racial discrimination in voting is a clear and 
     persistent problem. The actions of States and localities 
     around the country post-Shelby County, including at least 10 
     findings by Federal courts of intentional discrimination, 
     underscore the need for Congress to conduct investigatory and 
     evidentiary hearings to determine the legislation necessary 
     to restore the Voting Rights Act and combat continuing 
     efforts in America that suppress the free exercise of the 
     franchise in communities of color.
       (6) The 2018 midterm election provides further evidence 
     that systemic voter discrimination and intimidation continues 
     to occur in communities of color across the country, making 
     it clear that democracy reform cannot be achieved until 
     Congress restores key provisions of the Voting Rights Act.
       (7) Congress must remain vigilant in protecting every 
     eligible citizen's right to vote. Congress should respond by 
     modernizing the electoral system to--
       (A) improve access to the ballot;
       (B) enhance the integrity and security of our voting 
     systems;
       (C) ensure greater accountability for the administration of 
     elections; and
       (D) restore protections for voters against practices in 
     States and localities plagued by the persistence of voter 
     disenfranchisement; and
       (E) ensure that Federal civil rights laws protect the 
     rights of voters against discriminatory and deceptive 
     practices.

     Subtitle B--Findings Relating to Native American Voting Rights

     SEC. 2101. FINDINGS RELATING TO NATIVE AMERICAN VOTING 
                   RIGHTS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) The right to vote for all Americans is sacred. Congress 
     must fulfill the Federal Government's trust responsibility to 
     protect and promote Native Americans' exercise of their 
     fundamental right to vote, including equal access to voter 
     registration voting mechanisms and locations, and the ability 
     to serve as election officials.
       (2) The Native American Voting Rights Coalition's four-
     State survey of voter discrimination (2016) and nine field 
     hearings in Indian Country (2017-2018) revealed obstacles 
     that Native Americans must overcome, including a lack of 
     accessible and proximate registration and polling sites, 
     nontraditional addresses for residents on Indian 
     reservations, inadequate language assistance for Tribal 
     members, and voter identification laws that discriminate 
     against Native Americans. The Department of Justice and 
     courts have recognized that some jurisdictions have been 
     unresponsive to reasonable requests from federally recognized 
     Indian Tribes for more accessible and proximate voter 
     registration sites and in-person voting locations.
       (3) The 2018 elections provide further evidence that 
     systemic voter discrimination and intimidation continues to 
     occur in communities of color and Tribal lands across the 
     country, making it clear that democracy reform cannot be 
     achieved until Congress restores key provisions of the Voting 
     Rights Act and passes additional protections.
       (4) Congress has broad, plenary authority to enact 
     legislation to safeguard the voting rights of Native American 
     voters.
       (5) Congress must conduct investigatory and evidentiary 
     hearings to determine the necessary legislation to restore 
     the Voting Rights Act and combat continuous efforts that 
     suppress the voter franchise within Tribal lands, to include, 
     but not to be limited to, the Native American Voting Rights 
     Act (NAVRA) and the Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRAA).

    Subtitle C--Findings Relating to District of Columbia Statehood

     SEC. 2201. FINDINGS RELATING TO DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 
                   STATEHOOD.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) District of Columbia residents deserve full 
     congressional voting rights and self-government, which only 
     statehood can provide.
       (2) The 700,000 residents of the District of Columbia pay 
     more Federal taxes per capita than residents of any State in 
     the country, yet do not have full and equal representation in 
     Congress and self-government.
       (3) Since the founding of the United States, the residents 
     of the District of Columbia have always carried all the 
     obligations of citizenship, including serving in all of the 
     Nation's wars and paying Federal taxes, all without voting 
     representation on the floor in either Chamber of Congress or 
     freedom from congressional interference in purely local 
     matters.
       (4) There are no constitutional, historical, financial, or 
     economic reasons why the 700,000 Americans who live in the 
     District of Columbia should not be granted statehood.
       (5) The District of Columbia has a larger population than 
     two States, Wyoming and Vermont, and is close to the 
     population of the seven States that have a population of 
     under one million fully represented residents.
       (6) The District of Columbia government has one of the 
     strongest fiscal positions of any jurisdiction in the United 
     States, with a $14.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2019 and 
     a $2.8 billion general fund balance as of September 30, 2018.
       (7) The District of Columbia's total personal income is 
     higher than that of seven States, its per capita personal 
     consumption expenditures is higher than those of any State, 
     and its total personal consumption expenditures is greater 
     than those of seven States.
       (8) Congress has authority under article IV, section 3, 
     clause 1, which gives Congress power to admit new states to 
     the Union, and Article I, Section 8, Clause 17, which grants 
     Congress power over the seat of the Federal Government, to 
     admit the new State carved out of the residential areas of 
     the Federal seat of Government, while maintaining as the 
     Federal seat of Government the United States Capitol Complex, 
     the principal Federal monuments, Federal buildings and 
     grounds, the National Mall, the White House and other Federal 
     property.

                 Subtitle D--Territorial Voting Rights

     SEC. 2301. FINDINGS RELATING TO TERRITORIAL VOTING RIGHTS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) The right to vote is one of the most powerful 
     instruments residents of the territories of the United States 
     have to ensure that their voices are heard.
       (2) These Americans have played an important part in the 
     American democracy for more than 120 years.
       (3) Political participation and the right to vote are among 
     the highest concerns of territorial residents in part because 
     they were not always afforded these rights.
       (4) Voter participation in the territories consistently 
     ranks higher than many communities on the mainland.
       (5) Territorial residents serve and die, on a per capita 
     basis, at a higher rate in every United States war and 
     conflict since WWI, as an expression of their commitment to 
     American democratic principles and patriotism.

     SEC. 2302. CONGRESSIONAL TASK FORCE ON VOTING RIGHTS OF 
                   UNITED STATES CITIZEN RESIDENTS OF TERRITORIES 
                   OF THE UNITED STATES.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established within the 
     legislative branch a Congressional Task Force on Voting 
     Rights of United

[[Page H2433]]

     States Citizen Residents of Territories of the United States 
     (in this section referred to as the ``Task Force'').
       (b) Membership.--The Task Force shall be composed of 12 
     members as follows:
       (1) One Member of the House of Representatives, who shall 
     be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
     in coordination with the Chairman of the Committee on Natural 
     Resources of the House of Representatives.
       (2) One Member of the House of Representatives, who shall 
     be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
     in coordination with the Chairman of the Committee on the 
     Judiciary of the House of Representatives.
       (3) One Member of the House of Representatives, who shall 
     be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
     in coordination with the Chairman of the Committee on House 
     Administration of the House of Representatives.
       (4) One Member of the House of Representatives, who shall 
     be appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of 
     Representatives, in coordination with the ranking minority 
     member of the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (5) One Member of the House of Representatives, who shall 
     be appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of 
     Representatives, in coordination with the ranking minority 
     member of the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (6) One Member of the House of Representatives, who shall 
     be appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of 
     Representatives, in coordination with the ranking minority 
     member of the Committee on House Administration of the House 
     of Representatives.
       (7) One Member of the Senate, who shall be appointed by the 
     Majority Leader of the Senate, in coordination with the 
     Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
     the Senate.
       (8) One Member of the Senate, who shall be appointed by the 
     Majority Leader of the Senate, in coordination with the 
     Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate.
       (9) One Member of the Senate, who shall be appointed by the 
     Majority Leader of the Senate, in coordination with the 
     Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the 
     Senate.
       (10) One Member of the Senate, who shall be appointed by 
     the Minority Leader of the Senate, in coordination with the 
     ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources of the Senate.
       (11) One Member of the Senate, who shall be appointed by 
     the Minority Leader of the Senate, in coordination with the 
     ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary of 
     the Senate.
       (12) One Member of the Senate, who shall be appointed by 
     the Minority Leader of the Senate, in coordination with the 
     ranking minority member of the Committee on Rules and 
     Administration of the Senate.
       (c) Deadline for Appointment.--All appointments to the Task 
     Force shall be made not later than 30 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       (d) Chair.--The Speaker shall designate one Member to serve 
     as chair of the Task Force.
       (e) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Task Force shall be 
     filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
       (f) Status Update.--Between September 1, 2019, and 
     September 30, 2019, the Task Force shall provide a status 
     update to the House of Representatives and the Senate that 
     includes--
       (1) information the Task Force has collected; and
       (2) a discussion on matters that the chairman of the Task 
     Force deems urgent for consideration by Congress.
       (g) Report.--Not later than December 31, 2019, the Task 
     Force shall issue a report of its findings to the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate regarding--
       (1) the economic and societal consequences (through 
     statistical data and other metrics) that come with political 
     disenfranchisement of United States citizens in territories 
     of the United States;
       (2) impediments to full and equal voting rights for United 
     States citizens who are residents of territories of the 
     United States in Federal elections, including the election of 
     the President and Vice President of the United States;
       (3) impediments to full and equal voting representation in 
     the House of Representatives for United States citizens who 
     are residents of territories of the United States;
       (4) recommended changes that, if adopted, would allow for 
     full and equal voting rights for United States citizens who 
     are residents of territories of the United States in Federal 
     elections, including the election of the President and Vice 
     President of the United States;
       (5) recommended changes that, if adopted, would allow for 
     full and equal voting representation in the House of 
     Representatives for United States citizens who are residents 
     of territories of the United States; and
       (6) additional information the Task Force deems 
     appropriate.
       (h) Consensus Views.--To the greatest extent practicable, 
     the report issued under subsection (g) shall reflect the 
     shared views of all 12 Members, except that the report may 
     contain dissenting views.
       (i) Hearings and Sessions.--The Task Force may, for the 
     purpose of carrying out this section, hold hearings, sit and 
     act at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence 
     as the Task Force considers appropriate.
       (j) Stakeholder Participation.--In carrying out its duties, 
     the Task Force shall consult with the governments of American 
     Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
     Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United 
     States Virgin Islands.
       (k) Resources.--The Task Force shall carry out its duties 
     by utilizing existing facilities, services, and staff of the 
     House of Representatives and the Senate.
       (l) Termination.--The Task Force shall terminate upon 
     issuing the report required under subsection (g).

                    Subtitle E--Redistricting Reform

     SEC. 2400. SHORT TITLE; FINDING OF CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY.

       (a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the 
     ``Redistricting Reform Act of 2019''.
       (b) Finding of Constitutional Authority.--Congress finds 
     that it has the authority to establish the terms and 
     conditions States must follow in carrying out congressional 
     redistricting after an apportionment of Members of the House 
     of Representatives because--
       (1) the authority granted to Congress under article I, 
     section 4 of the Constitution of the United States gives 
     Congress the power to enact laws governing the time, place, 
     and manner of elections for Members of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (2) the authority granted to Congress under section 5 of 
     the fourteenth amendment to the Constitution gives Congress 
     the power to enact laws to enforce section 2 of such 
     amendment, which requires Representatives to be apportioned 
     among the several States according to their number.

          PART 1--REQUIREMENTS FOR CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING

     SEC. 2401. REQUIRING CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING TO BE 
                   CONDUCTED THROUGH PLAN OF INDEPENDENT STATE 
                   COMMISSION.

       (a) Use of Plan Required.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, and except as provided in subsection (c), 
     any congressional redistricting conducted by a State shall be 
     conducted in accordance with--
       (1) the redistricting plan developed and enacted into law 
     by the independent redistricting commission established in 
     the State, in accordance with part 2; or
       (2) if a plan developed by such commission is not enacted 
     into law, the redistricting plan developed and enacted into 
     law by a 3-judge court, in accordance with section 2421.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 22(c) of the Act 
     entitled ``An Act to provide for the fifteenth and subsequent 
     decennial censuses and to provide for an apportionment of 
     Representatives in Congress'', approved June 18, 1929 (2 
     U.S.C. 2a(c)), is amended by striking ``in the manner 
     provided by the law thereof'' and inserting: ``in the manner 
     provided by the Redistricting Reform Act of 2019''.
       (c) Special Rule for Existing Commissions.--Subsection (a) 
     does not apply to any State in which, under law in effect 
     continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, congressional redistricting is carried out in accordance 
     with a plan developed and approved by an independent 
     redistricting commission which is in compliance with each of 
     the following requirements:
       (1) Publicly available application process.--Membership on 
     the commission is open to citizens of the State through a 
     publicly available application process.
       (2) Disqualifications for government service and political 
     appointment.--Individuals who, for a covered period of time 
     as established by the State, hold or have held public office, 
     individuals who are or have been candidates for elected 
     public office, and individuals who serve or have served as an 
     officer, employee, or paid consultant of a campaign committee 
     of a candidate for public office are disqualified from 
     serving on the commission.
       (3) Screening for conflicts.--Individuals who apply to 
     serve on the commission are screened through a process that 
     excludes persons with conflicts of interest from the pool of 
     potential commissioners.
       (4) Multi-partisan composition.--Membership on the 
     commission represents those who are affiliated with the two 
     political parties whose candidates received the most votes in 
     the most recent Statewide election for Federal office held in 
     the State, as well as those who are unaffiliated with any 
     party or who are affiliated with political parties other than 
     the two political parties whose candidates received the most 
     votes in the most recent Statewide election for Federal 
     office held in the State.
       (5) Criteria for redistricting.--Members of the commission 
     are required to meet certain criteria in the map drawing 
     process, including minimizing the division of communities of 
     interest and a ban on drawing maps to favor a political 
     party.
       (6) Public input.--Public hearings are held and comments 
     from the public are accepted before a final map is approved.
       (7) Broad-based support for approval of final plan.--The 
     approval of the final redistricting plan requires a majority 
     vote of the members of the commission, including the support 
     of at least one member of each of the following:
       (A) Members who are affiliated with the political party 
     whose candidate received the

[[Page H2434]]

     most votes in the most recent Statewide election for Federal 
     office held in the State.
       (B) Members who are affiliated with the political party 
     whose candidate received the second most votes in the most 
     recent Statewide election for Federal office held in the 
     State.
       (C) Members who not affiliated with any political party or 
     who are affiliated with political parties other than the 
     political parties described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).

     SEC. 2402. BAN ON MID-DECADE REDISTRICTING.

       A State that has been redistricted in accordance with this 
     subtitle and a State described in section 2401(c) may not be 
     redistricted again until after the next apportionment of 
     Representatives under section 22(a) of the Act entitled ``An 
     Act to provide for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial 
     censuses and to provide for an apportionment of 
     Representatives in Congress'', approved June 18, 1929 (2 
     U.S.C. 2a), unless a court requires the State to conduct such 
     subsequent redistricting to comply with the Constitution of 
     the United States, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 
     10301 et seq.), the Constitution of the State, or the terms 
     or conditions of this subtitle.

             PART 2--INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONS

     SEC. 2411. INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION.

       (a) Appointment of Members.--
       (1) In general.--The nonpartisan agency established or 
     designated by a State under section 2414(a) shall establish 
     an independent redistricting commission for the State, which 
     shall consist of 15 members appointed by the agency as 
     follows:
       (A) Not later than October 1 of a year ending in the 
     numeral zero, the agency shall, at a public meeting held not 
     earlier than 15 days after notice of the meeting has been 
     given to the public, first appoint 6 members as follows:
       (i) The agency shall appoint 2 members on a random basis 
     from the majority category of the approved selection pool (as 
     described in section 2412(b)(1)(A)).
       (ii) The agency shall appoint 2 members on a random basis 
     from the minority category of the approved selection pool (as 
     described in section 2412(b)(1)(B)).
       (iii) The agency shall appoint 2 members on a random basis 
     from the independent category of the approved selection pool 
     (as described in section 2412(b)(1)(C)).
       (B) Not later than November 15 of a year ending in the 
     numeral zero, the members appointed by the agency under 
     subparagraph (A) shall, at a public meeting held not earlier 
     than 15 days after notice of the meeting has been given to 
     the public, then appoint 9 members as follows:
       (i) The members shall appoint 3 members from the majority 
     category of the approved selection pool (as described in 
     section 2412(b)(1)(A)).
       (ii) The members shall appoint 3 members from the minority 
     category of the approved selection pool (as described in 
     section 2412(b)(1)(B)).
       (iii) The members shall appoint 3 members from the 
     independent category of the approved selection pool (as 
     described in section 2412(b)(1)(C)).
       (2) Rules for appointment of members appointed by first 
     members.--
       (A) Affirmative vote of at least 4 members.--The 
     appointment of any of the 9 members of the independent 
     redistricting commission who are appointed by the first 
     members of the commission pursuant to subparagraph (B) of 
     paragraph (1), as well as the designation of alternates for 
     such members pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) 
     and the appointment of alternates to fill vacancies pursuant 
     to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4), shall require the 
     affirmative vote of at least 4 of the members appointed by 
     the nonpartisan agency under subparagraph (A) of paragraph 
     (1), including at least one member from each of the 
     categories referred to in such subparagraph.
       (B) Ensuring diversity.--In appointing the 9 members 
     pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), as well as in 
     designating alternates pursuant to subparagraph (B) of 
     paragraph (3) and in appointing alternates to fill vacancies 
     pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4), the first 
     members of the independent redistricting commission shall 
     ensure that the membership is representative of the 
     demographic groups (including racial, ethnic, economic, and 
     gender) and geographic regions of the State, and provides 
     racial, ethnic, and language minorities protected under the 
     Voting Rights Act of 1965 with a meaningful opportunity to 
     participate in the development of the State's redistricting 
     plan.
       (3) Designation of alternates to serve in case of 
     vacancies.--
       (A) Members appointed by agency.--At the time the agency 
     appoints the members of the independent redistricting 
     commission under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) from each 
     of the categories referred to in such subparagraph, the 
     agency shall, on a random basis, designate 2 other 
     individuals from such category to serve as alternate members 
     who may be appointed to fill vacancies in the commission in 
     accordance with paragraph (4).
       (B) Members appointed by first members.--At the time the 
     members appointed by the agency appoint the other members of 
     the independent redistricting commission under subparagraph 
     (B) of paragraph (1) from each of the categories referred to 
     in such subparagraph, the members shall, in accordance with 
     the special rules described in paragraph (2), designate 2 
     other individuals from such category to serve as alternate 
     members who may be appointed to fill vacancies in the 
     commission in accordance with paragraph (4).
       (4) Appointment of alternates to serve in case of 
     vacancies.--
       (A) Members appointed by agency.--If a vacancy occurs in 
     the commission with respect to a member who was appointed by 
     the nonpartisan agency under subparagraph (A) of paragraph 
     (1) from one of the categories referred to in such 
     subparagraph, the agency shall fill the vacancy by 
     appointing, on a random basis, one of the 2 alternates from 
     such category who was designated under subparagraph (A) of 
     paragraph (3). At the time the agency appoints an alternate 
     to fill a vacancy under the previous sentence, the agency 
     shall designate, on a random basis, another individual from 
     the same category to serve as an alternate member, in 
     accordance with subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3).
       (B) Members appointed by first members.--If a vacancy 
     occurs in the commission with respect to a member who was 
     appointed by the first members of the commission under 
     subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) from one of the categories 
     referred to in such subparagraph, the first members shall, in 
     accordance with the special rules described in paragraph (2), 
     fill the vacancy by appointing one of the 2 alternates from 
     such category who was designated under subparagraph (B) of 
     paragraph (3). At the time the first members appoint an 
     alternate to fill a vacancy under the previous sentence, the 
     first members shall, in accordance with the special rules 
     described in paragraph (2), designate another individual from 
     the same category to serve as an alternate member, in 
     accordance with subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3).
       (5) Removal.--A member of the independent redistricting 
     commission may be removed by a majority vote of the remaining 
     members of the commission if it is shown by a preponderance 
     of the evidence that the member is not eligible to serve on 
     the commission under section 2412(a).
       (b) Procedures for Conducting Commission Business.--
       (1) Chair.--Members of an independent redistricting 
     commission established under this section shall select by 
     majority vote one member who was appointed from the 
     independent category of the approved selection pool described 
     in section 2412(b)(1)(C) to serve as chair of the commission. 
     The commission may not take any action to develop a 
     redistricting plan for the State under section 2413 until the 
     appointment of the commission's chair.
       (2) Requiring majority approval for actions.--The 
     independent redistricting commission of a State may not 
     publish and disseminate any draft or final redistricting 
     plan, or take any other action, without the approval of at 
     least--
       (A) a majority of the whole membership of the commission; 
     and
       (B) at least one member of the commission appointed from 
     each of the categories of the approved selection pool 
     described in section 2412(b)(1).
       (3) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the commission 
     shall constitute a quorum.
       (c) Staff; Contractors.--
       (1) Staff.--Under a public application process in which all 
     application materials are available for public inspection, 
     the independent redistricting commission of a State shall 
     appoint and set the pay of technical experts, legal counsel, 
     consultants, and such other staff as it considers 
     appropriate, subject to State law.
       (2) Contractors.--The independent redistricting commission 
     of a State may enter into such contracts with vendors as it 
     considers appropriate, subject to State law, except that any 
     such contract shall be valid only if approved by the vote of 
     a majority of the members of the commission, including at 
     least one member appointed from each of the categories of the 
     approved selection pool described in section 2412(b)(1).
       (3) Reports on expenditures for political activity.--
       (A) Report by applicants.--Each individual who applies for 
     a position as an employee of the independent redistricting 
     commission and each vendor who applies for a contract with 
     the commission shall, at the time of applying, file with the 
     commission a report summarizing--
       (i) any expenditure for political activity made by such 
     individual or vendor during the 10 most recent calendar 
     years; and
       (ii) any income received by such individual or vendor 
     during the 10 most recent calendar years which is 
     attributable to an expenditure for political activity.
       (B) Annual reports by employees and vendors.--Each person 
     who is an employee or vendor of the independent redistricting 
     commission shall, not later than one year after the person is 
     appointed as an employee or enters into a contract as a 
     vendor (as the case may be) and annually thereafter for each 
     year during which the person serves as an employee or a 
     vendor, file with the commission a report summarizing the 
     expenditures and income described in subparagraph (A) during 
     the 10 most recent calendar years.
       (C) Expenditure for political activity defined.--In this 
     paragraph, the term ``expenditure for political activity'' 
     means a disbursement for any of the following:
       (i) An independent expenditure, as defined in section 
     301(17) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 
     U.S.C. 30101(17)).

[[Page H2435]]

       (ii) An electioneering communication, as defined in section 
     304(f)(3) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30104(f)(3)) or any other 
     public communication, as defined in section 301(22) of such 
     Act (52 U.S.C. 30101(22)) that would be an electioneering 
     communication if it were a broadcast, cable, or satellite 
     communication.
       (iii) Any dues or other payments to trade associations or 
     organizations described in section 501(c) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) 
     of such Code that are, or could reasonably be anticipated to 
     be, used or transferred to another association or 
     organization for a use described in paragraphs (1), (2), or 
     (4) of section 501(c) of such Code.
       (4) Goal of impartiality.--The commission shall take such 
     steps as it considers appropriate to ensure that any staff 
     appointed under this subsection, and any vendor with whom the 
     commission enters into a contract under this subsection, will 
     work in an impartial manner, and may require any person who 
     applies for an appointment to a staff position or for a 
     vendor's contract with the commission to provide information 
     on the person's history of political activity beyond the 
     information on the person's expenditures for political 
     activity provided in the reports required under paragraph (3) 
     (including donations to candidates, political committees, and 
     political parties) as a condition of the appointment or the 
     contract.
       (5) Disqualification; waiver.--
       (A) In general.--The independent redistricting commission 
     may not appoint an individual as an employee, and may not 
     enter into a contract with a vendor, if the individual or 
     vendor meets any of the criteria for the disqualification of 
     an individual from serving as a member of the commission 
     which are set forth in section 2412(a)(2).
       (B) Waiver.--The commission may by unanimous vote of its 
     members waive the application of subparagraph (A) to an 
     individual or a vendor after receiving and reviewing the 
     report filed by the individual or vendor under paragraph (3).
       (d) Termination.--
       (1) In general.--The independent redistricting commission 
     of a State shall terminate on the earlier of--
       (A) June 14 of the next year ending in the numeral zero; or
       (B) the day on which the nonpartisan agency established or 
     designated by a State under section 2414(a) has, in 
     accordance with section 2412(b)(1), submitted a selection 
     pool to the Select Committee on Redistricting for the State 
     established under section 2414(b).
       (2) Preservation of records.--The State shall ensure that 
     the records of the independent redistricting commission are 
     retained in the appropriate State archive in such manner as 
     may be necessary to enable the State to respond to any civil 
     action brought with respect to congressional redistricting in 
     the State.

     SEC. 2412. ESTABLISHMENT OF SELECTION POOL OF INDIVIDUALS 
                   ELIGIBLE TO SERVE AS MEMBERS OF COMMISSION.

       (a) Criteria for Eligibility.--
       (1) In general.--An individual is eligible to serve as a 
     member of an independent redistricting commission if the 
     individual meets each of the following criteria:
       (A) As of the date of appointment, the individual is 
     registered to vote in elections for Federal office held in 
     the State.
       (B) During the 3-year period ending on the date of the 
     individual's appointment, the individual has been 
     continuously registered to vote with the same political 
     party, or has not been registered to vote with any political 
     party.
       (C) The individual submits to the nonpartisan agency 
     established or designated by a State under section 2413, at 
     such time and in such form as the agency may require, an 
     application for inclusion in the selection pool under this 
     section, and includes with the application a written 
     statement, with an attestation under penalty of perjury, 
     containing the following information and assurances:
       (i) The full current name and any former names of, and the 
     contact information for, the individual, including an 
     electronic mail address, the address of the individual's 
     residence, mailing address, and telephone numbers.
       (ii) The individual's race, ethnicity, gender, age, date of 
     birth, and household income for the most recent taxable year.
       (iii) The political party with which the individual is 
     affiliated, if any.
       (iv) The reason or reasons the individual desires to serve 
     on the independent redistricting commission, the individual's 
     qualifications, and information relevant to the ability of 
     the individual to be fair and impartial, including, but not 
     limited to--

       (I) any involvement with, or financial support of, 
     professional, social, political, religious, or community 
     organizations or causes;
       (II) the individual's employment and educational history.

       (v) An assurance that the individual shall commit to 
     carrying out the individual's duties under this subtitle in 
     an honest, independent, and impartial fashion, and to 
     upholding public confidence in the integrity of the 
     redistricting process.
       (vi) An assurance that, during the covered periods 
     described in paragraph (3), the individual has not taken and 
     will not take any action which would disqualify the 
     individual from serving as a member of the commission under 
     paragraph (2).
       (2) Disqualifications.--An individual is not eligible to 
     serve as a member of the commission if any of the following 
     applies during any of the covered periods described in 
     paragraph (3):
       (A) The individual or (in the case of the covered periods 
     described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3)) an 
     immediate family member of the individual holds public office 
     or is a candidate for election for public office.
       (B) The individual or (in the case of the covered periods 
     described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3)) an 
     immediate family member of the individual serves as an 
     officer of a political party or as an officer, employee, or 
     paid consultant of a campaign committee of a candidate for 
     public office or of any political action committee (as 
     determined in accordance with the law of the State).
       (C) The individual or (in the case of the covered periods 
     described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3)) an 
     immediate family member of the individual holds a position as 
     a registered lobbyist under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
     1995 (2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) or an equivalent State or local 
     law.
       (D) The individual or (in the case of the covered periods 
     described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3)) an 
     immediate family member of the individual is an employee of 
     an elected public official, a contractor with the government 
     of the State, or a donor to the campaign of any candidate for 
     public office or to any political action committee (other 
     than a donor who, during any of such covered periods, gives 
     an aggregate amount of $1,000 or less to the campaigns of all 
     candidates for all public offices and to all political action 
     committees).
       (3) Covered periods described.--In this subsection, the 
     term ``covered period'' means, with respect to the 
     appointment of an individual to the commission, any of the 
     following:
       (A) The 10-year period ending on the date of the 
     individual's appointment.
       (B) The period beginning on the date of the individual's 
     appointment and ending on August 14 of the next year ending 
     in the numeral one.
       (C) The 10-year period beginning on the day after the last 
     day of the period described in subparagraph (B).
       (4) Immediate family member defined.--In this subsection, 
     the term ``immediate family member'' means, with respect to 
     an individual, a father, stepfather, mother, stepmother, son, 
     stepson, daughter, stepdaughter, brother, stepbrother, 
     sister, stepsister, husband, wife, father-in-law, or mother-
     in-law.
       (b) Development and Submission of Selection Pool.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than June 15 of each year ending 
     in the numeral zero, the nonpartisan agency established or 
     designated by a State under section 2414(a) shall develop and 
     submit to the Select Committee on Redistricting for the State 
     established under section 2414(b) a selection pool of 36 
     individuals who are eligible to serve as members of the 
     independent redistricting commission of the State under this 
     subtitle, consisting of individuals in the following 
     categories:
       (A) A majority category, consisting of 12 individuals who 
     are affiliated with the political party whose candidate 
     received the most votes in the most recent Statewide election 
     for Federal office held in the State.
       (B) A minority category, consisting of 12 individuals who 
     are affiliated with the political party whose candidate 
     received the second most votes in the most recent Statewide 
     election for Federal office held in the State.
       (C) An independent category, consisting of 12 individuals 
     who are not affiliated with either of the political parties 
     described in subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (B).
       (2) Factors taken into account in developing pool.--In 
     selecting individuals for the selection pool under this 
     subsection, the nonpartisan agency shall--
       (A) ensure that the pool is representative of the 
     demographic groups (including racial, ethnic, economic, and 
     gender) and geographic regions of the State, and includes 
     applicants who would allow racial, ethnic, and language 
     minorities protected under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 a 
     meaningful opportunity to participate in the development of 
     the State's redistricting plan; and
       (B) take into consideration the analytical skills of the 
     individuals selected in relevant fields (including mapping, 
     data management, law, community outreach, demography, and the 
     geography of the State) and their ability to work on an 
     impartial basis.
       (3) Interviews of applicants.--To assist the nonpartisan 
     agency in developing the selection pool under this 
     subsection, the nonpartisan agency shall conduct interviews 
     of applicants under oath. If an individual is included in a 
     selection pool developed under this section, all of the 
     interviews of the individual shall be transcribed and the 
     transcriptions made available on the nonpartisan agency's 
     website contemporaneously with release of the report under 
     paragraph (6).
       (4) Determination of political party affiliation of 
     individuals in selection pool.--For purposes of this section, 
     an individual shall be considered to be affiliated with a 
     political party only if the nonpartisan agency is able to 
     verify (to the greatest extent possible) the information the 
     individual provides in the application submitted under 
     subsection (a)(1)(D), including by considering additional 
     information provided by other

[[Page H2436]]

     persons with knowledge of the individual's history of 
     political activity.
       (5) Encouraging residents to apply for inclusion in pool.--
     The nonpartisan agency shall take such steps as may be 
     necessary to ensure that residents of the State across 
     various geographic regions and demographic groups are aware 
     of the opportunity to serve on the independent redistricting 
     commission, including publicizing the role of the panel and 
     using newspapers, broadcast media, and online sources, 
     including ethnic media, to encourage individuals to apply for 
     inclusion in the selection pool developed under this 
     subsection.
       (6) Report on establishment of selection pool.--At the time 
     the nonpartisan agency submits the selection pool to the 
     Select Committee on Redistricting under paragraph (1), it 
     shall publish and post on the agency's public website a 
     report describing the process by which the pool was 
     developed, and shall include in the report a description of 
     how the individuals in the pool meet the eligibility criteria 
     of subsection (a) and of how the pool reflects the factors 
     the agency is required to take into consideration under 
     paragraph (2).
       (7) Public comment on selection pool.--During the 14-day 
     period which begins on the date the nonpartisan agency 
     publishes the report under paragraph (6), the agency shall 
     accept comments from the public on the individuals included 
     in the selection pool. The agency shall post all such 
     comments contemporaneously on the nonpartisan agency's 
     website and shall transmit them to the Select Committee on 
     Redistricting immediately upon the expiration of such period.
       (8) Action by select committee.--
       (A) In general.--Not earlier than 15 days and not later 
     than 21 days after receiving the selection pool from the 
     nonpartisan agency under paragraph (1), the Select Committee 
     on Redistricting shall--
       (i) approve the pool as submitted by the nonpartisan 
     agency, in which case the pool shall be considered the 
     approved selection pool for purposes of section 2411(a)(1); 
     or
       (ii) reject the pool, in which case the nonpartisan agency 
     shall develop and submit a replacement selection pool in 
     accordance with subsection (c).
       (B) Inaction deemed rejection.--If the Select Committee on 
     Redistricting fails to approve or reject the pool within the 
     deadline set forth in subparagraph (A), the Select Committee 
     shall be deemed to have rejected the pool for purposes of 
     such subparagraph.
       (c) Development of Replacement Selection Pool.--
       (1) In general.--If the Select Committee on Redistricting 
     rejects the selection pool submitted by the nonpartisan 
     agency under subsection (b), not later than 14 days after the 
     rejection, the nonpartisan agency shall develop and submit to 
     the Select Committee a replacement selection pool, under the 
     same terms and conditions that applied to the development and 
     submission of the selection pool under paragraphs (1) through 
     (7) of subsection (b). The replacement pool submitted under 
     this paragraph may include individuals who were included in 
     the rejected selection pool submitted under subsection (b), 
     so long as at least one of the individuals in the replacement 
     pool was not included in such rejected pool.
       (2) Action by select committee.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 21 days after receiving the 
     replacement selection pool from the nonpartisan agency under 
     paragraph (1), the Select Committee on Redistricting shall--
       (i) approve the pool as submitted by the nonpartisan 
     agency, in which case the pool shall be considered the 
     approved selection pool for purposes of section 2411(a)(1); 
     or
       (ii) reject the pool, in which case the nonpartisan agency 
     shall develop and submit a second replacement selection pool 
     in accordance with subsection (d).
       (B) Inaction deemed rejection.--If the Select Committee on 
     Redistricting fails to approve or reject the pool within the 
     deadline set forth in subparagraph (A), the Select Committee 
     shall be deemed to have rejected the pool for purposes of 
     such subparagraph.
       (d) Development of Second Replacement Selection Pool.--
       (1) In general.--If the Select Committee on Redistricting 
     rejects the replacement selection pool submitted by the 
     nonpartisan agency under subsection (c), not later than 14 
     days after the rejection, the nonpartisan agency shall 
     develop and submit to the Select Committee a second 
     replacement selection pool, under the same terms and 
     conditions that applied to the development and submission of 
     the selection pool under paragraphs (1) through (7) of 
     subsection (b). The second replacement selection pool 
     submitted under this paragraph may include individuals who 
     were included in the rejected selection pool submitted under 
     subsection (b) or the rejected replacement selection pool 
     submitted under subsection (c), so long as at least one of 
     the individuals in the replacement pool was not included in 
     either such rejected pool.
       (2) Action by select committee.--
       (A) In general.--Not earlier than 15 days and not later 
     than 14 days after receiving the second replacement selection 
     pool from the nonpartisan agency under paragraph (1), the 
     Select Committee on Redistricting shall--
       (i) approve the pool as submitted by the nonpartisan 
     agency, in which case the pool shall be considered the 
     approved selection pool for purposes of section 2411(a)(1); 
     or
       (ii) reject the pool.
       (B) Inaction deemed rejection.--If the Select Committee on 
     Redistricting fails to approve or reject the pool within the 
     deadline set forth in subparagraph (A), the Select Committee 
     shall be deemed to have rejected the pool for purposes of 
     such subparagraph.
       (C) Effect of rejection.--If the Select Committee on 
     Redistricting rejects the second replacement pool from the 
     nonpartisan agency under paragraph (1), the redistricting 
     plan for the State shall be developed and enacted in 
     accordance with part 3.

     SEC. 2413. CRITERIA FOR REDISTRICTING PLAN BY INDEPENDENT 
                   COMMISSION; PUBLIC NOTICE AND INPUT.

       (a) Development of Redistricting Plan.--
       (1) Criteria.--In developing a redistricting plan of a 
     State, the independent redistricting commission of a State 
     shall establish single-member congressional districts using 
     the following criteria as set forth in the following order of 
     priority:
       (A) Districts shall comply with the United States 
     Constitution, including the requirement that they equalize 
     total population.
       (B) Districts shall comply with the Voting Rights Act of 
     1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.) and all applicable Federal 
     laws.
       (C) Districts shall provide racial, ethnic, and language 
     minorities with an equal opportunity to participate in the 
     political process and to elect candidates of choice and shall 
     not dilute or diminish their ability to elect candidates of 
     choice whether alone or in coalition with others.
       (D) Districts shall respect communities of interest, 
     neighborhoods, and political subdivisions to the extent 
     practicable and after compliance with the requirements of 
     subparagraphs (A) through (C). A community of interest is 
     defined as an area with recognized similarities of interests, 
     including but not limited to ethnic, racial, economic, 
     social, cultural, geographic or historic indentities. The 
     term communities of interest may, in certain circumstances, 
     include political subdivisions such as counties, 
     municipalities, or school districts, but shall not include 
     common relationships with political parties or political 
     candidates.
       (2) No favoring or disfavoring of political parties.--
     Except as may be required to meet the criteria described in 
     paragraph (1), the redistricting plan developed by the 
     independent redistricting commission shall not, when 
     considered on a Statewide basis, unduly favor or disfavor any 
     political party.
       (3) Factors prohibited from consideration.--In developing 
     the redistricting plan for the State, the independent 
     redistricting commission may not take into consideration any 
     of the following factors, except to the extent necessary to 
     comply with the criteria described in subparagraphs (A) 
     through (C) of paragraph (1), paragraph (2), and to enable 
     the redistricting plan to be measured against the external 
     metrics described in subsection (e):
       (A) The residence of any Member of the House of 
     Representatives or candidate.
       (B) The political party affiliation or voting history of 
     the population of a district.
       (b) Public Notice and Input.--
       (1) Use of open and transparent process.--The independent 
     redistricting commission of a State shall hold each of its 
     meetings in public, shall solicit and take into consideration 
     comments from the public, including proposed maps, throughout 
     the process of developing the redistricting plan for the 
     State, and shall carry out its duties in an open and 
     transparent manner which provides for the widest public 
     dissemination reasonably possible of its proposed and final 
     redistricting plans.
       (2) Website.--
       (A) Features.--The commission shall maintain a public 
     Internet site which is not affiliated with or maintained by 
     the office of any elected official and which includes the 
     following features:
       (i) General information on the commission, its role in the 
     redistricting process, and its members, including contact 
     information.
       (ii) An updated schedule of commission hearings and 
     activities, including deadlines for the submission of 
     comments.
       (iii) All draft redistricting plans developed by the 
     commission under subsection (c) and the final redistricting 
     plan developed under subsection (d), including the 
     accompanying written evaluation under subsection (e).
       (iv) All comments received from the public on the 
     commission's activities, including any proposed maps 
     submitted under paragraph (1).
       (v) Live streaming of commission hearings and an archive of 
     previous meetings, including any documents considered at any 
     such meeting, which the commission shall post not later than 
     24 hours after the conclusion of the meeting.
       (vi) Access in an easily useable format to the demographic 
     and other data used by the commission to develop and analyze 
     the proposed redistricting plans, together with access to any 
     software used to draw maps of proposed districts and to any 
     reports analyzing and evaluating any such maps.
       (vii) A method by which members of the public may submit 
     comments and proposed maps directly to the commission.
       (viii) All records of the commission, including all 
     communications to or from members, employees, and contractors 
     regarding the work of the commission.
       (ix) A list of all contractors receiving payment from the 
     commission, together with the annual disclosures submitted by 
     the contractors under section 2411(c)(3).
       (x) A list of the names of all individuals who submitted 
     applications to serve on the commission, together with the 
     applications

[[Page H2437]]

     submitted by individuals included in any selection pool, 
     except that the commission may redact from such applications 
     any financial or other personally sensitive information.
       (B) Searchable format.--The commission shall ensure that 
     all information posted and maintained on the site under this 
     paragraph, including information and proposed maps submitted 
     by the public, shall be maintained in an easily searchable 
     format.
       (C) Deadline.--The commission shall ensure that the public 
     internet site under this paragraph is operational (in at 
     least a preliminary format) not later than January 1 of the 
     year ending in the numeral one.
       (3) Public comment period.--The commission shall solicit, 
     accept, and consider comments from the public with respect to 
     its duties, activities, and procedures at any time during the 
     period--
       (A) which begins on January 1 of the year ending in the 
     numeral one; and
       (B) which ends 7 days before the date of the meeting at 
     which the commission shall vote on approving the final 
     redistricting plan for enactment into law under subsection 
     (d)(2).
       (4) Meetings and hearings in various geographic 
     locations.--To the greatest extent practicable, the 
     commission shall hold its meetings and hearings in various 
     geographic regions and locations throughout the State.
       (5) Multiple language requirements for all notices.--The 
     commission shall make each notice which is required to be 
     posted and published under this section available in any 
     language in which the State (or any jurisdiction in the 
     State) is required to provide election materials under 
     section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
       (c) Development and Publication of Preliminary 
     Redistricting Plan.--
       (1) In general.--Prior to developing and publishing a final 
     redistricting plan under subsection (d), the independent 
     redistricting commission of a State shall develop and publish 
     a preliminary redistricting plan.
       (2) Minimum public hearings and opportunity for comment 
     prior to development.--
       (A) 3 hearings required.--Prior to developing a preliminary 
     redistricting plan under this subsection, the commission 
     shall hold not fewer than 3 public hearings at which members 
     of the public may provide input and comments regarding the 
     potential contents of redistricting plans for the State and 
     the process by which the commission will develop the 
     preliminary plan under this subsection.
       (B) Minimum period for notice prior to hearings.--Not fewer 
     than 14 days prior to the date of each hearing held under 
     this paragraph, the commission shall post notices of the 
     hearing in on the website maintained under subsection (b)(2), 
     and shall provide for the publication of such notices in 
     newspapers of general circulation throughout the State. Each 
     such notice shall specify the date, time, and location of the 
     hearing.
       (C) Submission of plans and maps by members of the 
     public.--Any member of the public may submit maps or portions 
     of maps for consideration by the commission. As provided 
     under subsection (b)(2)(A), any such map shall be made 
     publicly available on the commission's website and open to 
     comment.
       (3) Publication of preliminary plan.--
       (A) In general.--The commission shall post the preliminary 
     redistricting plan developed under this subsection, together 
     with a report that includes the commission's responses to any 
     public comments received under subsection (b)(3), on the 
     website maintained under subsection (b)(2), and shall provide 
     for the publication of each such plan in newspapers of 
     general circulation throughout the State.
       (B) Minimum period for notice prior to publication.--Not 
     fewer than 14 days prior to the date on which the commission 
     posts and publishes the preliminary plan under this 
     paragraph, the commission shall notify the public through the 
     website maintained under subsection (b)(2), as well as 
     through publication of notice in newspapers of general 
     circulation throughout the State, of the pending publication 
     of the plan.
       (4) Minimum post-publication period for public comment.--
     The commission shall accept and consider comments from the 
     public (including through the website maintained under 
     subsection (b)(2)) with respect to the preliminary 
     redistricting plan published under paragraph (3), including 
     proposed revisions to maps, for not fewer than 30 days after 
     the date on which the plan is published.
       (5) Post-publication hearings.--
       (A) 3 hearings required.--After posting and publishing the 
     preliminary redistricting plan under paragraph (3), the 
     commission shall hold not fewer than 3 public hearings in 
     different geographic areas of the State at which members of 
     the public may provide input and comments regarding the 
     preliminary plan.
       (B) Minimum period for notice prior to hearings.--Not fewer 
     than 14 days prior to the date of each hearing held under 
     this paragraph, the commission shall post notices of the 
     hearing in on the website maintained under subsection (b)(2), 
     and shall provide for the publication of such notices in 
     newspapers of general circulation throughout the State. Each 
     such notice shall specify the date, time, and location of the 
     hearing.
       (6) Permitting multiple preliminary plans.--At the option 
     of the commission, after developing and publishing the 
     preliminary redistricting plan under this subsection, the 
     commission may develop and publish subsequent preliminary 
     redistricting plans, so long as the process for the 
     development and publication of each such subsequent plan 
     meets the requirements set forth in this subsection for the 
     development and publication of the first preliminary 
     redistricting plan.
       (d) Process for Enactment of Final Redistricting Plan.--
       (1) In general.--After taking into consideration comments 
     from the public on any preliminary redistricting plan 
     developed and published under subsection (c), the independent 
     redistricting commission of a State shall develop and publish 
     a final redistricting plan for the State.
       (2) Meeting; final vote.--Not later than the deadline 
     specified in subsection (h), the commission shall hold a 
     public hearing at which the members of the commission shall 
     vote on approving the final plan for enactment into law.
       (3) Publication of plan and accompanying materials.--Not 
     fewer than 14 days before the date of the meeting under 
     paragraph (2), the commission shall provide the following 
     information to the public through the website maintained 
     under subsection (b)(2), as well as through newspapers of 
     general circulation throughout the State:
       (A) The final redistricting plan, including all relevant 
     maps.
       (B) A report by the commission to accompany the plan which 
     provides the background for the plan and the commission's 
     reasons for selecting the plan as the final redistricting 
     plan, including responses to the public comments received on 
     any preliminary redistricting plan developed and published 
     under subsection (c).
       (C) Any dissenting or additional views with respect to the 
     plan of individual members of the commission.
       (4) Enactment.--The final redistricting plan developed and 
     published under this subsection shall be deemed to be enacted 
     into law if--
       (A) the plan is approved by a majority of the whole 
     membership of the commission; and
       (B) at least one member of the commission appointed from 
     each of the categories of the approved selection pool 
     described in section 2412(b)(1) approves the plan.
       (e) Written Evaluation of Plan Against External Metrics.--
     The independent redistricting commission shall include with 
     each redistricting plan developed and published under this 
     section a written evaluation that measures each such plan 
     against external metrics which cover the criteria set forth 
     in paragraph (1) of subsection (a), including the impact of 
     the plan on the ability of communities of color to elect 
     candidates of choice, measures of partisan fairness using 
     multiple accepted methodologies, and the degree to which the 
     plan preserves or divides communities of interest.
       (f) Timing.--The independent redistricting commission of a 
     State may begin its work on the redistricting plan of the 
     State upon receipt of relevant population information from 
     the Bureau of the Census, and shall approve a final 
     redistricting plan for the State in each year ending in the 
     numeral one not later than 8 months after the date on which 
     the State receives the State apportionment notice or October 
     1, whichever occurs later.

     SEC. 2414. ESTABLISHMENT OF RELATED ENTITIES.

       (a) Establishment or Designation of Nonpartisan Agency of 
     State Legislature.--
       (1) In general.--Each State shall establish a nonpartisan 
     agency in the legislative branch of the State government to 
     appoint the members of the independent redistricting 
     commission for the State in accordance with section 2411.
       (2) Nonpartisanship described.--For purposes of this 
     subsection, an agency shall be considered to be nonpartisan 
     if under law the agency--
       (A) is required to provide services on a nonpartisan basis;
       (B) is required to maintain impartiality; and
       (C) is prohibited from advocating for the adoption or 
     rejection of any legislative proposal.
       (3) Training of members appointed to commission.--Not later 
     than January 15 of a year ending in the numeral one, the 
     nonpartisan agency established or designated under this 
     subsection shall provide the members of the independent 
     redistricting commission with initial training on their 
     obligations as members of the commission, including 
     obligations under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and other 
     applicable laws.
       (4) Regulations.--The nonpartisan agency established or 
     designated under this subsection shall adopt and publish 
     regulations, after notice and opportunity for comment, 
     establishing the procedures that the agency will follow in 
     fulfilling its duties under this subtitle, including the 
     procedures to be used in vetting the qualifications and 
     political affiliation of applicants and in creating the 
     selection pools, the randomized process to be used in 
     selecting the initial members of the independent 
     redistricting commission, and the rules that the agency will 
     apply to ensure that the agency carries out its duties under 
     this subtitle in a maximally transparent, publicly 
     accessible, and impartial manner.
       (5) Designation of existing agency.--At its option, a State 
     may designate an existing agency in the legislative branch of 
     its government to appoint the members of the independent 
     redistricting commission plan for the State under this 
     subtitle, so long as the

[[Page H2438]]

     agency meets the requirements for nonpartisanship under this 
     subsection.
       (6) Termination of agency specifically established for 
     redistricting.--If a State does not designate an existing 
     agency under paragraph (5) but instead establishes a new 
     agency to serve as the nonpartisan agency under this section, 
     the new agency shall terminate upon the enactment into law of 
     the redistricting plan for the State.
       (7) Preservation of records.--The State shall ensure that 
     the records of the nonpartisan agency are retained in the 
     appropriate State archive in such manner as may be necessary 
     to enable the State to respond to any civil action brought 
     with respect to congressional redistricting in the State.
       (8) Deadline.--The State shall meet the requirements of 
     this subsection not later than each October 15 of a year 
     ending in the numeral nine.
       (b) Establishment of Select Committee on Redistricting.--
       (1) In general.--Each State shall appoint a Select 
     Committee on Redistricting to approve or disapprove a 
     selection pool developed by the independent redistricting 
     commission for the State under section 2412.
       (2) Appointment.--The Select Committee on Redistricting for 
     a State under this subsection shall consist of the following 
     members:
       (A) 1 member of the upper house of the State legislature, 
     who shall be appointed by the leader of the party with the 
     greatest number of seats in the upper house.
       (B) 1 member of the upper house of the State legislature, 
     who shall be appointed by the leader of the party with the 
     second greatest number of seats in the upper house.
       (C) 1 member of the lower house of the State legislature, 
     who shall be appointed by the leader of the party with the 
     greatest number of seats in the lower house.
       (D) 1 member of the lower house of the State legislature, 
     who shall be appointed by the leader of the party with the 
     second greatest number of seats in the lower house.
       (3) Special rule for states with unicameral legislature.--
     In the case of a State with a unicameral legislature, the 
     Select Committee on Redistricting for the State under this 
     subsection shall consist of the following members:
       (A) 2 members of the State legislature appointed by the 
     chair of the political party of the State whose candidate 
     received the highest percentage of votes in the most recent 
     Statewide election for Federal office held in the State.
       (B) 2 members of the State legislature appointed by the 
     chair of the political party whose candidate received the 
     second highest percentage of votes in the most recent 
     Statewide election for Federal office held in the State.
       (4) Deadline.--The State shall meet the requirements of 
     this subsection not later than each January 15 of a year 
     ending in the numeral zero.

      PART 3--ROLE OF COURTS IN DEVELOPMENT OF REDISTRICTING PLANS

     SEC. 2421. ENACTMENT OF PLAN DEVELOPED BY 3-JUDGE COURT.

       (a) Development of Plan.--If any of the triggering events 
     described in subsection (f) occur with respect to a State--
       (1) not later than December 15 of the year in which the 
     triggering event occurs, the United States district court for 
     the applicable venue, acting through a 3-judge Court convened 
     pursuant to section 2284 of title 28, United States Code, 
     shall develop and publish the congressional redistricting 
     plan for the State; and
       (2) the final plan developed and published by the Court 
     under this section shall be deemed to be enacted on the date 
     on which the Court publishes the final plan, as described in 
     subsection (d).
       (b) Applicable Venue Described.--For purposes of this 
     section, the ``applicable venue'' with respect to a State is 
     the District of Columbia or the judicial district in which 
     the capital of the State is located, as selected by the first 
     party to file with the court sufficient evidence of the 
     occurrence of a triggering event described in subsection (f).
       (c) Procedures for Development of Plan.--
       (1) Criteria.--In developing a redistricting plan for a 
     State under this section, the Court shall adhere to the same 
     terms and conditions that applied (or that would have 
     applied, as the case may be) to the development of a plan by 
     the independent redistricting commission of the State under 
     section 2413(a).
       (2) Access to information and records of commission.--The 
     Court shall have access to any information, data, software, 
     or other records and material that was used (or that would 
     have been used, as the case may be) by the independent 
     redistricting commission of the State in carrying out its 
     duties under this subtitle.
       (3) Hearing; public participation.--In developing a 
     redistricting plan for a State, the Court shall--
       (A) hold one or more evidentiary hearings at which 
     interested members of the public may appear and be heard and 
     present testimony, including expert testimony, in accordance 
     with the rules of the Court; and
       (B) consider other submissions and comments by the public, 
     including proposals for redistricting plans to cover the 
     entire State or any portion of the State.
       (4) Use of special master.--To assist in the development 
     and publication of a redistricting plan for a State under 
     this section, the Court may appoint a special master to make 
     recommendations to the Court on possible plans for the State.
       (d) Publication of Plan.--
       (1) Public availability of initial plan.--Upon completing 
     the development of one or more initial redistricting plans, 
     the Court shall make the plans available to the public at no 
     cost, and shall also make available the underlying data used 
     by the Court to develop the plans and a written evaluation of 
     the plans against external metrics (as described in section 
     2413(e)).
       (2) Publication of final plan.--At any time after the 
     expiration of the 14-day period which begins on the date the 
     Court makes the plans available to the public under paragraph 
     (1), and taking into consideration any submissions and 
     comments by the public which are received during such period, 
     the Court shall develop and publish the final redistricting 
     plan for the State.
       (e) Use of Interim Plan.--In the event that the Court is 
     not able to develop and publish a final redistricting plan 
     for the State with sufficient time for an upcoming election 
     to proceed, the Court may develop and publish an interim 
     redistricting plan which shall serve as the redistricting 
     plan for the State until the Court develops and publishes a 
     final plan in accordance with this section. Nothing in this 
     subsection may be construed to limit or otherwise affect the 
     authority or discretion of the Court to develop and publish 
     the final redistricting plan, including but not limited to 
     the discretion to make any changes the Court deems necessary 
     to an interim redistricting plan.
       (f) Triggering Events Described.--The ``triggering events'' 
     described in this subsection are as follows:
       (1) The failure of the State to establish or designate a 
     nonpartisan agency of the State legislature under section 
     2414(a) prior to the expiration of the deadline set forth in 
     section 2414(a)(5).
       (2) The failure of the State to appoint a Select Committee 
     on Redistricting under section 2414(b) prior to the 
     expiration of the deadline set forth in section 2414(b)(4).
       (3) The failure of the Select Committee on Redistricting to 
     approve any selection pool under section 2412 prior to the 
     expiration of the deadline set forth for the approval of the 
     second replacement selection pool in section 2412(d)(2).
       (4) The failure of the independent redistricting commission 
     of the State to approve a final redistricting plan for the 
     State prior to the expiration of the deadline set forth in 
     section 2413(f).

     SEC. 2422. SPECIAL RULE FOR REDISTRICTING CONDUCTED UNDER 
                   ORDER OF FEDERAL COURT.

       If a Federal court requires a State to conduct 
     redistricting subsequent to an apportionment of 
     Representatives in the State in order to comply with the 
     Constitution or to enforce the Voting Rights Act of 1965, 
     section 2413 shall apply with respect to the redistricting, 
     except that the court may revise any of the deadlines set 
     forth in such section if the court determines that a revision 
     is appropriate in order to provide for a timely enactment of 
     a new redistricting plan for the State.

          PART 4--ADMINISTRATIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     SEC. 2431. PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR CARRYING OUT REDISTRICTING.

       (a) Authorization of Payments.--Subject to subsection (d), 
     not later than 30 days after a State receives a State 
     apportionment notice, the Election Assistance Commission 
     shall, subject to the availability of appropriations provided 
     pursuant to subsection (e), make a payment to the State in an 
     amount equal to the product of--
       (1) the number of Representatives to which the State is 
     entitled, as provided under the notice; and
       (2) $150,000.
       (b) Use of Funds.--A State shall use the payment made under 
     this section to establish and operate the State's independent 
     redistricting commission, to implement the State 
     redistricting plan, and to otherwise carry out congressional 
     redistricting in the State.
       (c) No Payment to States With Single Member.--The Election 
     Assistance Commission shall not make a payment under this 
     section to any State which is not entitled to more than one 
     Representative under its State apportionment notice.
       (d) Requiring Submission of Selection Pool as Condition of 
     Payment.--
       (1) Requirement.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
     Election Assistance Commission may not make a payment to a 
     State under this section until the State certifies to the 
     Commission that the nonpartisan agency established or 
     designated by a State under section 2414(a) has, in 
     accordance with section 2412(b)(1), submitted a selection 
     pool to the Select Committee on Redistricting for the State 
     established under section 2414(b).
       (2) Exception for states with existing commissions.--In the 
     case of a State which, pursuant to section 2401(c), is exempt 
     from the requirements of section 2401(a), the Commission may 
     not make a payment to the State under this section until the 
     State certifies to the Commission that its redistricting 
     commission meets the requirements of section 2401(c).
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for payments 
     under this section.

     SEC. 2432. CIVIL ENFORCEMENT.

       (a) Civil Enforcement.--

[[Page H2439]]

       (1) Actions by attorney general.--The Attorney General may 
     bring a civil action in an appropriate district court for 
     such relief as may be appropriate to carry out this subtitle.
       (2) Availability of private right of action.--Any citizen 
     of a State who is aggrieved by the failure of the State to 
     meet the requirements of this subtitle may bring a civil 
     action in the United States district court for the applicable 
     venue for such relief as may be appropriate to remedy the 
     failure. For purposes of this section, the ``applicable 
     venue'' is the District of Columbia or the judicial district 
     in which the capital of the State is located, as selected by 
     the person who brings the civil action.
       (b) Expedited Consideration.--In any action brought forth 
     under this section, the following rules shall apply:
       (1) The action shall be filed in the district court of the 
     United States for the District of Columbia or for the 
     judicial district in which the capital of the State is 
     located, as selected by the person bringing the action.
       (2) The action shall be heard by a 3-judge court convened 
     pursuant to section 2284 of title 28, United States Code.
       (3) The 3-judge court shall consolidate actions brought for 
     relief under subsection (b)(1) with respect to the same State 
     redistricting plan.
       (4) A copy of the complaint shall be delivered promptly to 
     the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary 
     of the Senate.
       (5) A final decision in the action shall be reviewable only 
     by appeal directly to the Supreme Court of the United States. 
     Such appeal shall be taken by the filing of a notice of 
     appeal within 10 days, and the filing of a jurisdictional 
     statement within 30 days, of the entry of the final decision.
       (6) It shall be the duty of the district court and the 
     Supreme Court of the United States to advance on the docket 
     and to expedite to the greatest possible extent the 
     disposition of the action and appeal.
       (c) Attorney's Fees.--In a civil action under this section, 
     the court may allow the prevailing party (other than the 
     United States) reasonable attorney fees, including litigation 
     expenses, and costs.
       (d) Relation to Other Laws.--
       (1) Rights and remedies additional to other rights and 
     remedies.--The rights and remedies established by this 
     section are in addition to all other rights and remedies 
     provided by law, and neither the rights and remedies 
     established by this section nor any other provision of this 
     subtitle shall supersede, restrict, or limit the application 
     of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.).
       (2) Voting rights act of 1965.--Nothing in this subtitle 
     authorizes or requires conduct that is prohibited by the 
     Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.).

     SEC. 2433. STATE APPORTIONMENT NOTICE DEFINED.

       In this subtitle, the ``State apportionment notice'' means, 
     with respect to a State, the notice sent to the State from 
     the Clerk of the House of Representatives under section 22(b) 
     of the Act entitled ``An Act to provide for the fifteenth and 
     subsequent decennial censuses and to provide for an 
     apportionment of Representatives in Congress'', approved June 
     18, 1929 (2 U.S.C. 2a), of the number of Representatives to 
     which the State is entitled.

     SEC. 2434. NO EFFECT ON ELECTIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL OFFICE.

       Nothing in this subtitle or in any amendment made by this 
     subtitle may be construed to affect the manner in which a 
     State carries out elections for State or local office, 
     including the process by which a State establishes the 
     districts used in such elections.

     SEC. 2435. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle 
     shall apply with respect to redistricting carried out 
     pursuant to the decennial census conducted during 2020 or any 
     succeeding decennial census.

         Subtitle F--Saving Eligible Voters From Voter Purging

     SEC. 2501. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Stop Automatically 
     Voiding Eligible Voters Off Their Enlisted Rolls in States 
     Act'' or the ``Save Voters Act''.

     SEC. 2502. CONDITIONS FOR REMOVAL OF VOTERS FROM LIST OF 
                   REGISTERED VOTERS.

       (a) Conditions Described.--The National Voter Registration 
     Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.) is amended by inserting 
     after section 8 the following new section:

     ``SEC. 8A. CONDITIONS FOR REMOVAL OF VOTERS FROM OFFICIAL 
                   LIST OF REGISTERED VOTERS.

       ``(a) Verification on Basis of Objective and Reliable 
     Evidence of Ineligibility.--
       ``(1) Requiring verification.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of this Act, a State may not remove the name of any 
     registrant from the official list of voters eligible to vote 
     in elections for Federal office in the State unless the State 
     verifies, on the basis of objective and reliable evidence, 
     that the registrant is ineligible to vote in such elections.
       ``(2) Factors not considered as objective and reliable 
     evidence of ineligibility.--For purposes of paragraph (1), 
     the following factors, or any combination thereof, shall not 
     be treated as objective and reliable evidence of a 
     registrant's ineligibility to vote:
       ``(A) The failure of the registrant to vote in any 
     election.
       ``(B) The failure of the registrant to respond to any 
     notice sent under section 8(d), unless the notice has been 
     returned as undeliverable.
       ``(C) The failure of the registrant to take any other 
     action with respect to voting in any election or with respect 
     to the registrant's status as a registrant.
       ``(b) Notice After Removal.--
       ``(1) Notice to individual removed.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 48 hours after a State 
     removes the name of a registrant from the official list of 
     eligible voters for any reason (other than the death of the 
     registrant), the State shall send notice of the removal to 
     the former registrant, and shall include in the notice the 
     grounds for the removal and information on how the former 
     registrant may contest the removal or be reinstated, 
     including a telephone number for the appropriate election 
     official.
       ``(B) Exceptions.--Subparagraph (A) does not apply in the 
     case of a registrant--
       ``(i) who sends written confirmation to the State that the 
     registrant is no longer eligible to vote in the registrar's 
     jurisdiction in which the registrant was registered; or
       ``(ii) who is removed from the official list of eligible 
     voters by reason of the death of the registrant.
       ``(2) Public notice.--Not later than 48 hours after 
     conducting any general program to remove the names of 
     ineligible voters from the official list of eligible voters 
     (as described in section 8(a)(4)), the State shall 
     disseminate a public notice through such methods as may be 
     reasonable to reach the general public (including by 
     publishing the notice in a newspaper of wide circulation or 
     posting the notice on the websites of the appropriate 
     election officials) that list maintenance is taking place and 
     that registrants should check their registration status to 
     ensure no errors or mistakes have been made. The State shall 
     ensure that the public notice disseminated under this 
     paragraph is in a format that is reasonably convenient and 
     accessible to voters with disabilities, including voters who 
     have low vision or are blind.''.
       (b) Conditions for Transmission of Notices of Removal.--
     Section 8(d) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20507(d)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) A State may not transmit a notice to a registrant 
     under this subsection unless the State obtains objective and 
     reliable evidence (in accordance with the standards for such 
     evidence which are described in section 8A(a)(2)) that the 
     registrant has changed residence to a place outside the 
     registrar's jurisdiction in which the registrant is 
     registered.''.
       (c) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) National voter registration act of 1993.--Section 8(a) 
     of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)) is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``provide'' and inserting 
     ``subject to section 8A, provide''; and
       (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``conduct'' and inserting 
     ``subject to section 8A, conduct''.
       (2) Help america vote act of 2002.--Section 303(a)(4)(A) of 
     the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083(a)(4)(A)) 
     is amended by striking ``, registrants'' and inserting ``, 
     and subject to section 8A of such Act, registrants''.
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

    Subtitle G--No Effect on Authority of States to Provide Greater 
                        Opportunities for Voting

     SEC. 2601. NO EFFECT ON AUTHORITY OF STATES TO PROVIDE 
                   GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOTING.

       Nothing in this title or the amendments made by this title 
     may be construed to prohibit any State from enacting any law 
     which provides greater opportunities for individuals to 
     register to vote and to vote in elections for Federal office 
     than are provided by this title and the amendments made by 
     this title.

                        Subtitle H--Severability

     SEC. 2701. SEVERABILITY.

       If any provision of this title or amendment made by this 
     title, or the application of a provision or amendment to any 
     person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the 
     remainder of this title and amendments made by this title, 
     and the application of the provisions and amendment to any 
     person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.

                      TITLE III--ELECTION SECURITY

Sec. 3000. Short title; sense of Congress.

       Subtitle A--Financial Support for Election Infrastructure

           Part 1--Voting System Security Improvement Grants

Sec. 3001. Grants for obtaining compliant paper ballot voting systems 
              and carrying out voting system security improvements.
Sec. 3002. Coordination of voting system security activities with use 
              of requirements payments and election administration 
              requirements under Help America Vote Act of 2002.
Sec. 3003. Incorporation of definitions.

    Part 2--Grants for Risk-limiting Audits of Results of Elections

Sec. 3011. Grants to States for conducting risk-limiting audits of 
              results of elections.
Sec. 3012. GAO analysis of effects of audits.

[[Page H2440]]

        Part 3--Election Infrastructure Innovation Grant Program

Sec. 3021. Election infrastructure innovation grant program.

                     Subtitle B--Security Measures

Sec. 3101. Election infrastructure designation.
Sec. 3102. Timely threat information.
Sec. 3103. Security clearance assistance for election officials.
Sec. 3104. Security risk and vulnerability assessments.
Sec. 3105. Annual reports.

    Subtitle C--Enhancing Protections for United States Democratic 
                              Institutions

Sec. 3201. National strategy to protect United States democratic 
              institutions.
Sec. 3202. National Commission to Protect United States Democratic 
              Institutions.

 Subtitle D--Promoting Cybersecurity Through Improvements in Election 
                             Administration

Sec. 3301. Testing of existing voting systems to ensure compliance with 
              election cybersecurity guidelines and other guidelines.
Sec. 3302. Treatment of electronic poll books as part of voting 
              systems.
Sec. 3303. Pre-election reports on voting system usage.
Sec. 3304. Streamlining collection of election information.

                Subtitle E--Preventing Election Hacking

Sec. 3401. Short title.
Sec. 3402. Election Security Bug Bounty Program.
Sec. 3403. Definitions.

                  Subtitle F--Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec. 3501. Definitions.
Sec. 3502. Initial report on adequacy of resources available for 
              implementation.

                        Subtitle G--Severability

Sec. 3601. Severability.

     SEC. 3000. SHORT TITLE; SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       (a) Short Title.--This title may be cited as the ``Election 
     Security Act''.
       (b) Sense of Congress on Need to Improve Election 
     Infrastructure Security.--It is the sense of Congress that, 
     in light of the lessons learned from Russian interference in 
     the 2016 Presidential election, the Federal Government should 
     intensify its efforts to improve the security of election 
     infrastructure in the United States, including through the 
     use of individual, durable, paper ballots marked by the voter 
     by hand.

       Subtitle A--Financial Support for Election Infrastructure

           PART 1--VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY IMPROVEMENT GRANTS

     SEC. 3001. GRANTS FOR OBTAINING COMPLIANT PAPER BALLOT VOTING 
                   SYSTEMS AND CARRYING OUT VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY 
                   IMPROVEMENTS.

       (a) Availability of Grants.--Subtitle D of title II of the 
     Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21001 et seq.), as 
     amended by section 1905(a), is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new part:

 ``PART 8--GRANTS FOR OBTAINING COMPLIANT PAPER BALLOT VOTING SYSTEMS 
          AND CARRYING OUT VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS

     ``SEC. 298. GRANTS FOR OBTAINING COMPLIANT PAPER BALLOT 
                   VOTING SYSTEMS AND CARRYING OUT VOTING SYSTEM 
                   SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS.

       ``(a) Availability and Use of Grant.--The Commission shall 
     make a grant to each eligible State--
       ``(1) to replace a voting system--
       ``(A) which does not meet the requirements which are first 
     imposed on the State pursuant to the amendments made by the 
     Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2019 with 
     a voting system which does meet such requirements, for use in 
     the regularly scheduled general elections for Federal office 
     held in November 2020, or
       ``(B) which does meet such requirements but which is not in 
     compliance with the most recent voluntary voting system 
     guidelines issued by the Commission prior to the regularly 
     scheduled general election for Federal office held in 
     November 2020 with another system which does meet such 
     requirements and is in compliance with such guidelines; and
       ``(2) to carry out voting system security improvements 
     described in section 298A with respect to the regularly 
     scheduled general elections for Federal office held in 
     November 2020 and each succeeding election for Federal 
     office.
       ``(b) Amount of Grant.--The amount of a grant made to a 
     State under this section shall be such amount as the 
     Commission determines to be appropriate, except that such 
     amount may not be less than the product of $1 and the average 
     of the number of individuals who cast votes in any of the two 
     most recent regularly scheduled general elections for Federal 
     office held in the State.
       ``(c) Pro Rata Reductions.--If the amount of funds 
     appropriated for grants under this part is insufficient to 
     ensure that each State receives the amount of the grant 
     calculated under subsection (b), the Commission shall make 
     such pro rata reductions in such amounts as may be necessary 
     to ensure that the entire amount appropriated under this part 
     is distributed to the States.
       ``(d) Ability of Replacement Systems to Administer Ranked 
     Choice Elections.--To the greatest extent practicable, an 
     eligible State which receives a grant to replace a voting 
     system under this section shall ensure that the replacement 
     system is capable of administering a system of ranked choice 
     voting under which each voter shall rank the candidates for 
     the office in the order of the voter's preference.

     ``SEC. 298A. VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS DESCRIBED.

       ``(a) Permitted Uses.--A voting system security improvement 
     described in this section is any of the following:
       ``(1) The acquisition of goods and services from qualified 
     election infrastructure vendors by purchase, lease, or such 
     other arrangements as may be appropriate.
       ``(2) Cyber and risk mitigation training.
       ``(3) A security risk and vulnerability assessment of the 
     State's election infrastructure which is carried out by a 
     provider of cybersecurity services under a contract entered 
     into between the chief State election official and the 
     provider.
       ``(4) The maintenance of election infrastructure, including 
     addressing risks and vulnerabilities which are identified 
     under either of the security risk and vulnerability 
     assessments described in paragraph (3), except that none of 
     the funds provided under this part may be used to renovate or 
     replace a building or facility which is used primarily for 
     purposes other than the administration of elections for 
     public office.
       ``(5) Providing increased technical support for any 
     information technology infrastructure that the chief State 
     election official deems to be part of the State's election 
     infrastructure or designates as critical to the operation of 
     the State's election infrastructure.
       ``(6) Enhancing the cybersecurity and operations of the 
     information technology infrastructure described in paragraph 
     (4).
       ``(7) Enhancing the cybersecurity of voter registration 
     systems.
       ``(b) Qualified Election Infrastructure Vendors 
     Described.--
       ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this part, a `qualified 
     election infrastructure vendor' is any person who provides, 
     supports, or maintains, or who seeks to provide, support, or 
     maintain, election infrastructure on behalf of a State, unit 
     of local government, or election agency (as defined in 
     section 3501 of the Election Security Act) who meets the 
     criteria described in paragraph (2).
       ``(2) Criteria.--The criteria described in this paragraph 
     are such criteria as the Chairman, in coordination with the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security, shall establish and publish, 
     and shall include each of the following requirements:
       ``(A) The vendor must be owned and controlled by a citizen 
     or permanent resident of the United States.
       ``(B) The vendor must disclose to the Chairman and the 
     Secretary, and to the chief State election official of any 
     State to which the vendor provides any goods and services 
     with funds provided under this part, of any sourcing outside 
     the United States for parts of the election infrastructure.
       ``(C) The vendor agrees to ensure that the election 
     infrastructure will be developed and maintained in a manner 
     that is consistent with the cybersecurity best practices 
     issued by the Technical Guidelines Development Committee.
       ``(D) The vendor agrees to maintain its information 
     technology infrastructure in a manner that is consistent with 
     the cybersecurity best practices issued by the Technical 
     Guidelines Development Committee.
       ``(E) The vendor agrees to meet the requirements of 
     paragraph (3) with respect to any known or suspected 
     cybersecurity incidents involving any of the goods and 
     services provided by the vendor pursuant to a grant under 
     this part.
       ``(F) The vendor agrees to permit independent security 
     testing by the Commission (in accordance with section 231(a)) 
     and by the Secretary of the goods and services provided by 
     the vendor pursuant to a grant under this part.
       ``(3) Cybersecurity incident reporting requirements.--
       ``(A) In general.--A vendor meets the requirements of this 
     paragraph if, upon becoming aware of the possibility that an 
     election cybersecurity incident has occurred involving any of 
     the goods and services provided by the vendor pursuant to a 
     grant under this part--
       ``(i) the vendor promptly assesses whether or not such an 
     incident occurred, and submits a notification meeting the 
     requirements of subparagraph (B) to the Secretary and the 
     Chairman of the assessment as soon as practicable (but in no 
     case later than 3 days after the vendor first becomes aware 
     of the possibility that the incident occurred);
       ``(ii) if the incident involves goods or services provided 
     to an election agency, the vendor submits a notification 
     meeting the requirements of subparagraph (B) to the agency as 
     soon as practicable (but in no case later than 3 days after 
     the vendor first becomes aware of the possibility that the 
     incident occurred), and cooperates with the agency in 
     providing any other necessary notifications relating to the 
     incident; and
       ``(iii) the vendor provides all necessary updates to any 
     notification submitted under clause (i) or clause (ii).
       ``(B) Contents of notifications.--Each notification 
     submitted under clause (i) or clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) 
     shall contain the following information with respect to any 
     election cybersecurity incident covered by the notification:

[[Page H2441]]

       ``(i) The date, time, and time zone when the election 
     cybersecurity incident began, if known.
       ``(ii) The date, time, and time zone when the election 
     cybersecurity incident was detected.
       ``(iii) The date, time, and duration of the election 
     cybersecurity incident.
       ``(iv) The circumstances of the election cybersecurity 
     incident, including the specific election infrastructure 
     systems believed to have been accessed and information 
     acquired, if any.
       ``(v) Any planned and implemented technical measures to 
     respond to and recover from the incident.
       ``(vi) In the case of any notification which is an update 
     to a prior notification, any additional material information 
     relating to the incident, including technical data, as it 
     becomes available.

     ``SEC. 298B. ELIGIBILITY OF STATES.

       ``A State is eligible to receive a grant under this part if 
     the State submits to the Commission, at such time and in such 
     form as the Commission may require, an application 
     containing--
       ``(1) a description of how the State will use the grant to 
     carry out the activities authorized under this part;
       ``(2) a certification and assurance that, not later than 5 
     years after receiving the grant, the State will carry out 
     risk-limiting audits and will carry out voting system 
     security improvements, as described in section 298A; and
       ``(3) such other information and assurances as the 
     Commission may require.

     ``SEC. 298C. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

       ``Not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, 
     the Commission shall submit a report to the appropriate 
     congressional committees, including the Committees on 
     Homeland Security, House Administration, and the Judiciary of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committees on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs, the Judiciary, and Rules 
     and Administration of the Senate, on the activities carried 
     out with the funds provided under this part.

     ``SEC. 298D. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``(a) Authorization.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated for grants under this part--
       ``(1) $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; and
       ``(2) $175,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2020, 2022, 
     2024, and 2026.
       ``(b) Continuing Availability of Amounts.--Any amounts 
     appropriated pursuant to the authorization of this section 
     shall remain available until expended.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act, 
     as amended by section 1905(b), is amended by adding at the 
     end of the items relating to subtitle D of title II the 
     following:

 ``Part 8--Grants for Obtaining Compliant Paper Ballot Voting Systems 
          and Carrying Out Voting System Security Improvements

``Sec. 298. Grants for obtaining compliant paper ballot voting systems 
              and carrying out voting system security improvements.
``Sec. 298A. Voting system security improvements described.
``Sec. 298B. Eligibility of States.
``Sec. 298C. Reports to Congress.
``Sec. 298D. Authorization of appropriations.

     SEC. 3002. COORDINATION OF VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY ACTIVITIES 
                   WITH USE OF REQUIREMENTS PAYMENTS AND ELECTION 
                   ADMINISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER HELP AMERICA 
                   VOTE ACT OF 2002.

       (a) Duties of Election Assistance Commission.--Section 202 
     of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20922) is 
     amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking 
     ``by'' and inserting ``and the security of election 
     infrastructure by''.
       (b) Membership of Secretary of Homeland Security on Board 
     of Advisors of Election Assistance Commission.--Section 
     214(a) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20944(a)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``37 members'' and inserting ``38 
     members''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(17) The Secretary of Homeland Security or the 
     Secretary's designee.''.
       (c) Representative of Department of Homeland Security on 
     Technical Guidelines Development Committee.--Section 
     221(c)(1) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20961(c)(1)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); 
     and
       (2) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(E) A representative of the Department of Homeland 
     Security.''.
       (d) Goals of Periodic Studies of Election Administration 
     Issues; Consultation With Secretary of Homeland Security.--
     Section 241(a) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20981(a)) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``the Commission shall'' and inserting ``the Commission, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security (as 
     appropriate), shall'';
       (2) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (3);
       (3) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(4) will be secure against attempts to undermine the 
     integrity of election systems by cyber or other means; and''.
       (e) Requirements Payments.--
       (1) Use of payments for voting system security 
     improvements.--Section 251(b) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
     21001(b)), as amended by section 1061(a)(2), is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(5) Permitting use of payments for voting system security 
     improvements.--A State may use a requirements payment to 
     carry out any of the following activities:
       ``(A) Cyber and risk mitigation training.
       ``(B) Providing increased technical support for any 
     information technology infrastructure that the chief State 
     election official deems to be part of the State's election 
     infrastructure or designates as critical to the operation of 
     the State's election infrastructure.
       ``(C) Enhancing the cybersecurity and operations of the 
     information technology infrastructure described in 
     subparagraph (B).
       ``(D) Enhancing the security of voter registration 
     databases.''.
       (2) Incorporation of election infrastructure protection in 
     state plans for use of payments.--Section 254(a)(1) of such 
     Act (52 U.S.C. 21004(a)(1)) is amended by striking the period 
     at the end and inserting ``, including the protection of 
     election infrastructure.''.
       (3) Composition of committee responsible for developing 
     state plan for use of payments.--Section 255 of such Act (52 
     U.S.C. 21005) is amended--
       (A) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
       (B) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(b) Geographic Representation.--The members of the 
     committee shall be a representative group of individuals from 
     the State's counties, cities, towns, and Indian tribes, and 
     shall represent the needs of rural as well as urban areas of 
     the State, as the case may be.''.
       (f) Ensuring Protection of Computerized Statewide Voter 
     Registration List.--Section 303(a)(3) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
     21083(a)(3)) is amended by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``, as well as other measures to prevent and deter 
     cybersecurity incidents, as identified by the Commission, the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Technical Guidelines 
     Development Committee.''.

     SEC. 3003. INCORPORATION OF DEFINITIONS.

       (a) In General.--Section 901 of the Help America Vote Act 
     of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21141) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 901. DEFINITIONS.

       ``In this Act, the following definitions apply:
       ``(1) The term `cybersecurity incident' has the meaning 
     given the term `incident' in section 227 of the Homeland 
     Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 148).
       ``(2) The term `election infrastructure' has the meaning 
     given such term in section 3501 of the Election Security Act.
       ``(3) The term `State' means each of the several States, 
     the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
     Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and 
     the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act 
     is amended by amending the item relating to section 901 to 
     read as follows:

``Sec. 901. Definitions.''.

    PART 2--GRANTS FOR RISK-LIMITING AUDITS OF RESULTS OF ELECTIONS

     SEC. 3011. GRANTS TO STATES FOR CONDUCTING RISK-LIMITING 
                   AUDITS OF RESULTS OF ELECTIONS.

       (a) Availability of Grants.--Subtitle D of title II of the 
     Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21001 et seq.), as 
     amended by sections 1905(a) and 3001(a), is amended by adding 
     at the end the following new part:

  ``PART 9--GRANTS FOR CONDUCTING RISK-LIMITING AUDITS OF RESULTS OF 
                               ELECTIONS

     ``SEC. 299. GRANTS FOR CONDUCTING RISK-LIMITING AUDITS OF 
                   RESULTS OF ELECTIONS.

       ``(a) Availability of Grants.--The Commission shall make a 
     grant to each eligible State to conduct risk-limiting audits 
     as described in subsection (b) with respect to the regularly 
     scheduled general elections for Federal office held in 
     November 2020 and each succeeding election for Federal 
     office.
       ``(b) Risk-limiting Audits Described.--In this part, a 
     `risk-limiting audit' is a post-election process--
       ``(1) which is conducted in accordance with rules and 
     procedures established by the chief State election official 
     of the State which meet the requirements of subsection (c); 
     and
       ``(2) under which, if the reported outcome of the election 
     is incorrect, there is at least a predetermined percentage 
     chance that the audit will replace the incorrect outcome with 
     the correct outcome as determined by a full, hand-to-eye 
     tabulation of all votes validly cast in that election that 
     ascertains voter intent manually and directly from voter-
     verifiable paper records.
       ``(c) Requirements for Rules and Procedures.--The rules and 
     procedures established for conducting a risk-limiting audit 
     shall include the following elements:

[[Page H2442]]

       ``(1) Rules for ensuring the security of ballots and 
     documenting that prescribed procedures were followed.
       ``(2) Rules and procedures for ensuring the accuracy of 
     ballot manifests produced by election agencies.
       ``(3) Rules and procedures for governing the format of 
     ballot manifests, cast vote records, and other data involved 
     in the audit.
       ``(4) Methods to ensure that any cast vote records used in 
     the audit are those used by the voting system to tally the 
     election results sent to the chief State election official 
     and made public.
       ``(5) Procedures for the random selection of ballots to be 
     inspected manually during each audit.
       ``(6) Rules for the calculations and other methods to be 
     used in the audit and to determine whether and when the audit 
     of an election is complete.
       ``(7) Procedures and requirements for testing any software 
     used to conduct risk-limiting audits.
       ``(d) Definitions.--In this part, the following definitions 
     apply:
       ``(1) The term `ballot manifest' means a record maintained 
     by each election agency that meets each of the following 
     requirements:
       ``(A) The record is created without reliance on any part of 
     the voting system used to tabulate votes.
       ``(B) The record functions as a sampling frame for 
     conducting a risk-limiting audit.
       ``(C) The record contains the following information with 
     respect to the ballots cast and counted in the election:
       ``(i) The total number of ballots cast and counted by the 
     agency (including undervotes, overvotes, and other invalid 
     votes).
       ``(ii) The total number of ballots cast in each election 
     administered by the agency (including undervotes, overvotes, 
     and other invalid votes).
       ``(iii) A precise description of the manner in which the 
     ballots are physically stored, including the total number of 
     physical groups of ballots, the numbering system for each 
     group, a unique label for each group, and the number of 
     ballots in each such group.
       ``(2) The term `incorrect outcome' means an outcome that 
     differs from the outcome that would be determined by a full 
     tabulation of all votes validly cast in the election, 
     determining voter intent manually, directly from voter-
     verifiable paper records.
       ``(3) The term `outcome' means the winner of an election, 
     whether a candidate or a position.
       ``(4) The term `reported outcome' means the outcome of an 
     election which is determined according to the canvass and 
     which will become the official, certified outcome unless it 
     is revised by an audit, recount, or other legal process.

     ``SEC. 299A. ELIGIBILITY OF STATES.

       ``A State is eligible to receive a grant under this part if 
     the State submits to the Commission, at such time and in such 
     form as the Commission may require, an application 
     containing--
       ``(1) a certification that, not later than 5 years after 
     receiving the grant, the State will conduct risk-limiting 
     audits of the results of elections for Federal office held in 
     the State as described in section 299;
       ``(2) a certification that, not later than one year after 
     the date of the enactment of this section, the chief State 
     election official of the State has established or will 
     establish the rules and procedures for conducting the audits 
     which meet the requirements of section 299(c);
       ``(3) a certification that the audit shall be completed not 
     later than the date on which the State certifies the results 
     of the election;
       ``(4) a certification that, after completing the audit, the 
     State shall publish a report on the results of the audit, 
     together with such information as necessary to confirm that 
     the audit was conducted properly;
       ``(5) a certification that, if a risk-limiting audit 
     conducted under this part leads to a full manual tally of an 
     election, State law requires that the State or election 
     agency shall use the results of the full manual tally as the 
     official results of the election; and
       ``(6) such other information and assurances as the 
     Commission may require.

     ``SEC. 299B. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated for grants under 
     this part $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, to remain 
     available until expended.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act, 
     as amended by sections 1905(b) and 3001(b), is further 
     amended by adding at the end of the items relating to 
     subtitle D of title II the following:

  ``Part 9--Grants for Conducting Risk-Limiting Audits of Results of 
                               Elections

``Sec. 299. Grants for conducting risk-limiting audits of results of 
              elections.
``Sec. 299A. Eligibility of States.
``Sec. 299B. Authorization of appropriations.

     SEC. 3012. GAO ANALYSIS OF EFFECTS OF AUDITS.

       (a) Analysis.--Not later than 6 months after the first 
     election for Federal office is held after grants are first 
     awarded to States for conducting risk-limiting audits under 
     part 9 of subtitle D of title II of the Help America Vote Act 
     of 2002 (as added by section 3011) for conducting risk-
     limiting audits of elections for Federal office, the 
     Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an 
     analysis of the extent to which such audits have improved the 
     administration of such elections and the security of election 
     infrastructure in the States receiving such grants.
       (b) Report.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
     shall submit a report on the analysis conducted under 
     subsection (a) to the appropriate congressional committees.

        PART 3--ELECTION INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM

     SEC. 3021. ELECTION INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002 (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating the second section 319 (relating to 
     EMP and GMD mitigation research and development) as section 
     320; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 321. ELECTION INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary, acting through the 
     Under Secretary for Science and Technology, in coordination 
     with the Chairman of the Election Assistance Commission 
     (established pursuant to the Help America Vote Act of 2002) 
     and in consultation with the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation, shall establish a competitive grant program to 
     award grants to eligible entities, on a competitive basis, 
     for purposes of research and development that are determined 
     to have the potential to significantly improve the security 
     (including cybersecurity), quality, reliability, accuracy, 
     accessibility, and affordability of election infrastructure.
       ``(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     conclusion of each fiscal year for which grants are awarded 
     under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on House 
     Administration of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and 
     the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate a 
     report describing such grants and analyzing the impact, if 
     any, of such grants on the security and operation of election 
     infrastructure.
       ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary $6,250,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2019 through 2027 for purposes of carrying out 
     this section.
       ``(d) Eligible Entity Defined.--In this section, the term 
     `eligible entity' means--
       ``(1) an institution of higher education (as defined in 
     section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1001(a)), including an institution of higher education that 
     is a historically Black college or university (which has the 
     meaning given the term ``part B institution'' in section 322 
     of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1061)) or other minority-serving 
     institution listed in section 371(a) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1067q(a));
       ``(2) an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under 
     section 501(a) of such Code; or
       ``(3) an organization, association, or a for-profit 
     company, including a small business concern (as such term is 
     defined under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     632)), including a small business concern owned and 
     controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged 
     individuals as defined under section 8(d)(3)(C) of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(3)(C)).''.
       (b) Definition.--Section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002 (6 U.S.C. 101) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (20) as 
     paragraphs (7) through (21), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(6) Election infrastructure.--The term `election 
     infrastructure' means storage facilities, polling places, and 
     centralized vote tabulation locations used to support the 
     administration of elections for public office, as well as 
     related information and communications technology, including 
     voter registration databases, voting machines, electronic 
     mail and other communications systems (including electronic 
     mail and other systems of vendors who have entered into 
     contracts with election agencies to support the 
     administration of elections, manage the election process, and 
     report and display election results), and other systems used 
     to manage the election process and to report and display 
     election results on behalf of an election agency.''.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by 
     striking both items relating to section 319 and the item 
     relating to section 318 and inserting the following new 
     items:

``Sec. 318. Social media working group.
``Sec. 319. Transparency in research and development.
``Sec. 320. EMP and GMD mitigation research and development.
``Sec. 321. Election infrastructure innovation grant program.''.

                     Subtitle B--Security Measures

     SEC. 3101. ELECTION INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGNATION.

       Subparagraph (J) of section 2001(3) of the Homeland 
     Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 601(3)) is amended by 
     inserting ``, including election infrastructure'' before the 
     period at the end.

[[Page H2443]]

  


     SEC. 3102. TIMELY THREAT INFORMATION.

       Subsection (d) of section 201 of the Homeland Security Act 
     of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 121) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new paragraph:
       ``(24) To provide timely threat information regarding 
     election infrastructure to the chief State election official 
     of the State with respect to which such information 
     pertains.''.

     SEC. 3103. SECURITY CLEARANCE ASSISTANCE FOR ELECTION 
                   OFFICIALS.

       In order to promote the timely sharing of information on 
     threats to election infrastructure, the Secretary may--
       (1) help expedite a security clearance for the chief State 
     election official and other appropriate State personnel 
     involved in the administration of elections, as designated by 
     the chief State election official;
       (2) sponsor a security clearance for the chief State 
     election official and other appropriate State personnel 
     involved in the administration of elections, as designated by 
     the chief State election official; and
       (3) facilitate the issuance of a temporary clearance to the 
     chief State election official and other appropriate State 
     personnel involved in the administration of elections, as 
     designated by the chief State election official, if the 
     Secretary determines classified information to be timely and 
     relevant to the election infrastructure of the State at 
     issue.

     SEC. 3104. SECURITY RISK AND VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Paragraph (6) of section 2209(c) of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 659(c)) is amended by 
     inserting ``(including by carrying out a security risk and 
     vulnerability assessment)'' after ``risk management 
     support''.
       (b) Prioritization to Enhance Election Security.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after receiving a 
     written request from a chief State election official, the 
     Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, commence a 
     security risk and vulnerability assessment (pursuant to 
     paragraph (6) of section 2209(c) of the Homeland Security Act 
     of 2002, as amended by subsection (a)) on election 
     infrastructure in the State at issue.
       (2) Notification.--If the Secretary, upon receipt of a 
     request described in paragraph (1), determines that a 
     security risk and vulnerability assessment cannot be 
     commenced within 90 days, the Secretary shall expeditiously 
     notify the chief State election official who submitted such 
     request.

     SEC. 3105. ANNUAL REPORTS.

       (a) Reports on Assistance and Assessments.--Not later than 
     one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
     annually thereafter through 2026, the Secretary shall submit 
     to the appropriate congressional committees--
       (1) efforts to carry out section 203 during the prior year, 
     including specific information on which States were helped, 
     how many officials have been helped in each State, how many 
     security clearances have been sponsored in each State, and 
     how many temporary clearances have been issued in each State; 
     and
       (2) efforts to carry out section 205 during the prior year, 
     including specific information on which States were helped, 
     the dates on which the Secretary received a request for a 
     security risk and vulnerability assessment pursuant to such 
     section, the dates on which the Secretary commenced each such 
     request, and the dates on which the Secretary transmitted a 
     notification in accordance with subsection (b)(2) of such 
     section.
       (b) Reports on Foreign Threats.--Not later than 90 days 
     after the end of each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 
     2019), the Secretary and the Director of National 
     Intelligence, in coordination with the heads of appropriate 
     offices of the Federal government, shall submit a joint 
     report to the appropriate congressional committees on foreign 
     threats to elections in the United States, including physical 
     and cybersecurity threats.
       (c) Information From States.--For purposes of preparing the 
     reports required under this section, the Secretary shall 
     solicit and consider information and comments from States and 
     election agencies, except that the provision of such 
     information and comments by a State or election agency shall 
     be voluntary and at the discretion of the State or agency.

    Subtitle C--Enhancing Protections for United States Democratic 
                              Institutions

     SEC. 3201. NATIONAL STRATEGY TO PROTECT UNITED STATES 
                   DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the President, acting through the 
     Secretary, in consultation with the Chairman, the Secretary 
     of Defense, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the 
     Secretary of Education, the Director of National 
     Intelligence, the Chairman of the Federal Election 
     Commission, and the heads of any other appropriate Federal 
     agencies, shall issue a national strategy to protect against 
     cyber attacks, influence operations, disinformation 
     campaigns, and other activities that could undermine the 
     security and integrity of United States democratic 
     institutions.
       (b) Considerations.--The national strategy required under 
     subsection (a) shall include consideration of the following:
       (1) The threat of a foreign state actor, foreign terrorist 
     organization (as designated pursuant to section 219 of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189)), or a 
     domestic actor carrying out a cyber attack, influence 
     operation, disinformation campaign, or other activity aimed 
     at undermining the security and integrity of United States 
     democratic institutions.
       (2) The extent to which United States democratic 
     institutions are vulnerable to a cyber attack, influence 
     operation, disinformation campaign, or other activity aimed 
     at undermining the security and integrity of such democratic 
     institutions.
       (3) Potential consequences, such as an erosion of public 
     trust or an undermining of the rule of law, that could result 
     from a successful cyber attack, influence operation, 
     disinformation campaign, or other activity aimed at 
     undermining the security and integrity of United States 
     democratic institutions.
       (4) Lessons learned from other Western governments the 
     institutions of which were subject to a cyber attack, 
     influence operation, disinformation campaign, or other 
     activity aimed at undermining the security and integrity of 
     such institutions, as well as actions that could be taken by 
     the United States Government to bolster collaboration with 
     foreign partners to detect, deter, prevent, and counter such 
     activities.
       (5) Potential impacts such as an erosion of public trust in 
     democratic institutions as could be associated with a 
     successful cyber breach or other activity negatively-
     affecting election infrastructure.
       (6) Roles and responsibilities of the Secretary, the 
     Chairman, and the heads of other Federal entities and non-
     Federal entities, including chief State election officials 
     and representatives of multi-state information sharing and 
     analysis center.
       (7) Any findings, conclusions, and recommendations to 
     strengthen protections for United States democratic 
     institutions that have been agreed to by a majority of 
     Commission members on the National Commission to Protect 
     United States Democratic Institutions, authorized pursuant to 
     section 3202.
       (c) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     issuance of the national strategy required under subsection 
     (a), the President, acting through the Secretary, in 
     coordination with the Chairman, shall issue an implementation 
     plan for Federal efforts to implement such strategy that 
     includes the following:
       (1) Strategic objectives and corresponding tasks.
       (2) Projected timelines and costs for the tasks referred to 
     in paragraph (1).
       (3) Metrics to evaluate performance of such tasks.
       (d) Classification.--The national strategy required under 
     subsection (a) shall be in unclassified form.
       (e) Civil Rights Review.--Not later than 60 days after the 
     issuance of the national strategy required under subsection 
     (a), and not later than 60 days after the issuance of the 
     implementation plan required under subsection (c), the 
     Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (established 
     under subsection 1061 of the Intelligence Reform and 
     Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 2000ee)) shall 
     submit a report to Congress on any potential privacy and 
     civil liberties impacts of such strategy and implementation 
     plan, respectively.

     SEC. 3202. NATIONAL COMMISSION TO PROTECT UNITED STATES 
                   DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established within the 
     legislative branch the National Commission to Protect United 
     States Democratic Institutions (hereafter in this section 
     referred to as the ``Commission'').
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Commission is to counter 
     efforts to undermine democratic institutions within the 
     United States.
       (c) Composition.--
       (1) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of 10 
     members appointed for the life of the Commission as follows:
       (A) One member shall be appointed by the Secretary.
       (B) One member shall be appointed by the Chairman.
       (C) 2 members shall be appointed by the majority leader of 
     the Senate, in consultation with the Chairman of the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the 
     Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Chairman 
     of the Committee on Rules and Administration.
       (D) 2 members shall be appointed by the minority leader of 
     the Senate, in consultation with the ranking minority member 
     of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs, the ranking minority member of the Committee on the 
     Judiciary, and the ranking minority member of the Committee 
     on Rules and Administration.
       (E) 2 members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives, in consultation with the Chairman 
     of the Committee on Homeland Security, the Chairman of the 
     Committee on House Administration, and the Chairman of the 
     Committee on the Judiciary.
       (F) 2 members shall be appointed by the minority leader of 
     the House of Representatives, in consultation with the 
     ranking minority member of the Committee on Homeland 
     Security, the ranking minority member of the Committee on the 
     Judiciary, and the ranking minority member of the Committee 
     on House Administration.
       (2) Qualifications.--Individuals shall be selected for 
     appointment to the Commission solely on the basis of their 
     professional qualifications, achievements, public stature, 
     experience, and expertise in relevant fields, including, but 
     not limited to cybersecurity,

[[Page H2444]]

     national security, and the Constitution of the United States.
       (3) No compensation for service.--Members shall not receive 
     compensation for service on the Commission, but shall receive 
     travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
     in accordance with chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
       (4) Deadline for appointment.--All members of the 
     Commission shall be appointed no later than 60 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.
       (5) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission shall not 
     affect its powers and shall be filled in the manner in which 
     the original appointment was made. The appointment of the 
     replacement member shall be made not later than 60 days after 
     the date on which the vacancy occurs.
       (d) Chair and Vice Chair.--The Commission shall elect a 
     Chair and Vice Chair from among its members.
       (e) Quorum and Meetings.--
       (1) Quorum.--The Commission shall meet and begin the 
     operations of the Commission not later than 30 days after the 
     date on which all members have been appointed or, if such 
     meeting cannot be mutually agreed upon, on a date designated 
     by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 
     President pro Tempore of the Senate. Each subsequent meeting 
     shall occur upon the call of the Chair or a majority of its 
     members. A majority of the members of the Commission shall 
     constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold meetings.
       (2) Authority of individuals to act for commission.--Any 
     member of the Commission may, if authorized by the 
     Commission, take any action that the Commission is authorized 
     to take under this section.
       (f) Powers.--
       (1) Hearings and evidence.--The Commission (or, on the 
     authority of the Commission, any subcommittee or member 
     thereof) may, for the purpose of carrying out this section, 
     hold hearings and sit and act at such times and places, take 
     such testimony, receive such evidence, and administer such 
     oaths as the Commission considers advisable to carry out its 
     duties.
       (2) Contracting.--The Commission may, to such extent and in 
     such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts, enter 
     into contracts to enable the Commission to discharge its 
     duties under this section.
       (g) Assistance From Federal Agencies.--
       (1) General services administration.--The Administrator of 
     General Services shall provide to the Commission on a 
     reimbursable basis administrative support and other services 
     for the performance of the Commission's functions.
       (2) Other departments and agencies.--In addition to the 
     assistance provided under paragraph (1), the Department of 
     Homeland Security, the Election Assistance Commission, and 
     other appropriate departments and agencies of the United 
     States shall provide to the Commission such services, funds, 
     facilities, and staff as they may determine advisable and as 
     may be authorized by law.
       (h) Public Meetings.--Any public meetings of the Commission 
     shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the protection 
     of information provided to or developed for or by the 
     Commission as required by any applicable statute, regulation, 
     or Executive order.
       (i) Security Clearances.--
       (1) In general.--The heads of appropriate departments and 
     agencies of the executive branch shall cooperate with the 
     Commission to expeditiously provide Commission members and 
     staff with appropriate security clearances to the extent 
     possible under applicable procedures and requirements.
       (2) Preferences.--In appointing staff, obtaining detailees, 
     and entering into contracts for the provision of services for 
     the Commission, the Commission shall give preference to 
     individuals otherwise who have active security clearances.
       (j) Reports.--
       (1) Interim reports.--At any time prior to the submission 
     of the final report under paragraph (2), the Commission may 
     submit interim reports to the President and Congress such 
     findings, conclusions, and recommendations to strengthen 
     protections for democratic institutions in the United States 
     as have been agreed to by a majority of the members of the 
     Commission.
       (2) Final report.--Not later than 18 months after the date 
     of the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall 
     submit to the President and Congress a final report 
     containing such findings, conclusions, and recommendations to 
     strengthen protections for democratic institutions in the 
     United States as have been agreed to by a majority of the 
     members of the Commission.
       (k) Termination.--
       (1) In general.--The Commission shall terminate upon the 
     expiration of the 60-day period which begins on the date on 
     which the Commission submits the final report required under 
     subsection (j)(2).
       (2) Administrative activities prior to termination.--During 
     the 60-day period described in paragraph (2), the Commission 
     may carry out such administrative activities as may be 
     required to conclude its work, including providing testimony 
     to committees of Congress concerning the final report and 
     disseminating the final report.

 Subtitle D--Promoting Cybersecurity Through Improvements in Election 
                             Administration

     SEC. 3301. TESTING OF EXISTING VOTING SYSTEMS TO ENSURE 
                   COMPLIANCE WITH ELECTION CYBERSECURITY 
                   GUIDELINES AND OTHER GUIDELINES.

       (a) Requiring Testing of Existing Voting Systems.--
       (1) In general.--Section 231(a) of the Help America Vote 
     Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20971(a)) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) Testing to ensure compliance with guidelines.--
       ``(A) Testing.--Not later than 9 months before the date of 
     each regularly scheduled general election for Federal office, 
     the Commission shall provide for the testing by accredited 
     laboratories under this section of the voting system hardware 
     and software which was certified for use in the most recent 
     such election, on the basis of the most recent voting system 
     guidelines applicable to such hardware or software (including 
     election cybersecurity guidelines) issued under this Act.
       ``(B) Decertification of hardware or software failing to 
     meet guidelines.--If, on the basis of the testing described 
     in subparagraph (A), the Commission determines that any 
     voting system hardware or software does not meet the most 
     recent guidelines applicable to such hardware or software 
     issued under this Act, the Commission shall decertify such 
     hardware or software.''.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
     shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general 
     election for Federal office held in November 2020 and each 
     succeeding regularly scheduled general election for Federal 
     office.
       (b) Issuance of Cybersecurity Guidelines by Technical 
     Guidelines Development Committee.--Section 221(b) of the Help 
     America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20961(b)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) Election cybersecurity guidelines.--Not later than 6 
     months after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the 
     Development Committee shall issue election cybersecurity 
     guidelines, including standards and best practices for 
     procuring, maintaining, testing, operating, and updating 
     election systems to prevent and deter cybersecurity 
     incidents.''.

     SEC. 3302. TREATMENT OF ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS AS PART OF 
                   VOTING SYSTEMS.

       (a) Inclusion in Definition of Voting System.--Section 
     301(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 
     21081(b)) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``this section'' and inserting ``this Act'';
       (2) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
       (3) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(2) any electronic poll book used with respect to the 
     election; and''.
       (b) Definition.--Section 301 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21081) 
     is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
     (d) and (e); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(c) Electronic Poll Book Defined.--In this Act, the term 
     `electronic poll book' means the total combination of 
     mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic equipment 
     (including the software, firmware, and documentation required 
     to program, control, and support the equipment) that is 
     used--
       ``(1) to retain the list of registered voters at a polling 
     location, or vote center, or other location at which voters 
     cast votes in an election for Federal office; and
       ``(2) to identify registered voters who are eligible to 
     vote in an election.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--Section 301(e) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
     21081(e)), as redesignated by subsection (b), is amended by 
     striking the period at the end and inserting the following: 
     ``, or, with respect to any requirements relating to 
     electronic poll books, on and after January 1, 2020.''.

     SEC. 3303. PRE-ELECTION REPORTS ON VOTING SYSTEM USAGE.

       (a) Requiring States to Submit Reports.--Title III of the 
     Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is 
     amended by inserting after section 301 the following new 
     section:

     ``SEC. 301A. PRE-ELECTION REPORTS ON VOTING SYSTEM USAGE.

       ``(a) Requiring States to Submit Reports.--Not later than 
     120 days before the date of each regularly scheduled general 
     election for Federal office, the chief State election 
     official of a State shall submit a report to the Commission 
     containing a detailed voting system usage plan for each 
     jurisdiction in the State which will administer the election, 
     including a detailed plan for the usage of electronic poll 
     books and other equipment and components of such system.
       ``(b) Effective Date.--Subsection (a) shall apply with 
     respect to the regularly scheduled general election for 
     Federal office held in November 2020 and each succeeding 
     regularly scheduled general election for Federal office.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act 
     is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
     301 the following new item:

``Sec. 301A. Pre-election reports on voting system usage.''.

     SEC. 3304. STREAMLINING COLLECTION OF ELECTION INFORMATION.

       Section 202 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 
     20922) is amended--

[[Page H2445]]

       (1) by striking ``The Commission'' and inserting ``(a) In 
     General.--The Commission''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(b) Waiver of Certain Requirements.--Subchapter I of 
     chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, shall not apply 
     to the collection of information for purposes of maintaining 
     the clearinghouse described in paragraph (1) of subsection 
     (a).''.

                Subtitle E--Preventing Election Hacking

     SEC. 3401. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Prevent Election 
     Hacking Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 3402. ELECTION SECURITY BUG BOUNTY PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a 
     program to be known as the ``Election Security Bug Bounty 
     Program'' (hereafter in this subtitle referred to as the 
     ``Program'') to improve the cybersecurity of the systems used 
     to administer elections for Federal office by facilitating 
     and encouraging assessments by independent technical experts, 
     in cooperation with State and local election officials and 
     election service providers, to identify and report election 
     cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
       (b) Voluntary Participation by Election Officials and 
     Election Service Providers.--
       (1) No requirement to participate in program.--
     Participation in the Program shall be entirely voluntary for 
     State and local election officials and election service 
     providers.
       (2) Encouraging participation and input from election 
     officials.--In developing the Program, the Secretary shall 
     solicit input from, and encourage participation by, State and 
     local election officials.
       (c) Activities Funded.--In establishing and carrying out 
     the Program, the Secretary shall--
       (1) establish a process for State and local election 
     officials and election service providers to voluntarily 
     participate in the Program;
       (2) designate appropriate information systems to be 
     included in the Program;
       (3) provide compensation to eligible individuals, 
     organizations, and companies for reports of previously 
     unidentified security vulnerabilities within the information 
     systems designated under subparagraph (A) and establish 
     criteria for individuals, organizations, and companies to be 
     considered eligible for such compensation in compliance with 
     Federal laws;
       (4) consult with the Attorney General on how to ensure that 
     approved individuals, organizations, or companies that comply 
     with the requirements of the Program are protected from 
     prosecution under section 1030 of title 18, United States 
     Code, and similar provisions of law, and from liability under 
     civil actions for specific activities authorized under the 
     Program;
       (5) consult with the Secretary of Defense and the heads of 
     other departments and agencies that have implemented programs 
     to provide compensation for reports of previously undisclosed 
     vulnerabilities in information systems, regarding lessons 
     that may be applied from such programs;
       (6) develop an expeditious process by which an individual, 
     organization, or company can register with the Department, 
     submit to a background check as determined by the Department, 
     and receive a determination as to eligibility for 
     participation in the Program; and
       (7) engage qualified interested persons, including 
     representatives of private entities, about the structure of 
     the Program and, to the extent practicable, establish a 
     recurring competition for independent technical experts to 
     assess election systems for the purpose of identifying and 
     reporting election cybersecurity vulnerabilities;
       (d) Use of Service Providers.--The Secretary may award 
     competitive contracts as necessary to manage the Program.

     SEC. 3403. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle, the following definitions apply:
       (1) The terms ``election'' and ``Federal office'' have the 
     meanings given such terms in section 301 of the Federal 
     Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101).
       (2) The term ``election cybersecurity vulnerability'' means 
     any security vulnerability (as defined in section 102 of the 
     Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (6 U.S.C. 
     1501)) that affects an election system.
       (3) The term ``election service provider'' means any person 
     providing, supporting, or maintaining an election system on 
     behalf of a State or local election official, such as a 
     contractor or vendor.
       (4) The term ``election system'' means any information 
     system (as defined in section 3502 of title 44, United States 
     Code) which is part of an election infrastructure.
       (5) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security, or, upon designation by the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security, the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
     Director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security of the 
     Department of Homeland Security, or a Senate-confirmed 
     official that reports to the Director.
       (6) The term ``State'' means each of the several States, 
     the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
     Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana 
     Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.
       (7) The term ``voting system'' has the meaning given such 
     term in section 301(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
     (52 U.S.C. 21081(b)).

                  Subtitle F--Miscellaneous Provisions

     SEC. 3501. DEFINITIONS.

       Except as provided in section 3403, in this title, the 
     following definitions apply:
       (1) The term ``Chairman'' means the chair of the Election 
     Assistance Commission.
       (2) The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means 
     the Committees on Homeland Security and House Administration 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committees on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Rules and 
     Administration of the Senate.
       (3) The term ``chief State election official'' means, with 
     respect to a State, the individual designated by the State 
     under section 10 of the National Voter Registration Act of 
     1993 (52 U.S.C. 20509) to be responsible for coordination of 
     the State's responsibilities under such Act.
       (4) The term ``Commission'' means the Election Assistance 
     Commission.
       (5) The term ``democratic institutions'' means the diverse 
     range of institutions that are essential to ensuring an 
     independent judiciary, free and fair elections, and rule of 
     law.
       (6) The term ``election agency'' means any component of a 
     State, or any component of a unit of local government in a 
     State, which is responsible for the administration of 
     elections for Federal office in the State.
       (7) The term ``election infrastructure'' means storage 
     facilities, polling places, and centralized vote tabulation 
     locations used to support the administration of elections for 
     public office, as well as related information and 
     communications technology, including voter registration 
     databases, voting machines, electronic mail and other 
     communications systems (including electronic mail and other 
     systems of vendors who have entered into contracts with 
     election agencies to support the administration of elections, 
     manage the election process, and report and display election 
     results), and other systems used to manage the election 
     process and to report and display election results on behalf 
     of an election agency.
       (8) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security.
       (9) The term ``State'' has the meaning given such term in 
     section 901 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 
     21141).

     SEC. 3502. INITIAL REPORT ON ADEQUACY OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE 
                   FOR IMPLEMENTATION.

       Not later than 120 days after enactment of this Act, the 
     Chairman and the Secretary shall submit a report to the 
     appropriate committees of Congress, including the Committees 
     on Homeland Security and House Administration of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate, analyzing the adequacy of 
     the funding, resources, and personnel available to carry out 
     this title and the amendments made by this title.

                        Subtitle G--Severability

     SEC. 3601. SEVERABILITY.

       If any provision of this title or amendment made by this 
     title, or the application of a provision or amendment to any 
     person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the 
     remainder of this title and amendments made by this title, 
     and the application of the provisions and amendment to any 
     person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.

                      DIVISION B--CAMPAIGN FINANCE

                TITLE IV--CAMPAIGN FINANCE TRANSPARENCY

    Subtitle A--Findings Relating to Illicit Money Undermining Our 
                               Democracy

Sec. 4001. Findings relating to illicit money undermining our 
              democracy.

                        Subtitle B--DISCLOSE Act

Sec. 4100. Short title.

            Part 1--Regulation of Certain Political Spending

Sec. 4101. Application of ban on contributions and expenditures by 
              foreign nationals to domestic corporations, limited 
              liability corporations, and partnerships that are 
              foreign-controlled, foreign-influenced, and foreign-
              owned.
Sec. 4102. Clarification of application of foreign money ban to certain 
              disbursements and activities.

          Part 2--Reporting of Campaign-Related Disbursements

Sec. 4111. Reporting of campaign-related disbursements.
Sec. 4112. Application of foreign money ban to disbursements for 
              campaign-related disbursements consisting of covered 
              transfers.
Sec. 4113. Effective date.

                  Part 3--Other Administrative Reforms

Sec. 4121. Petition for certiorari.
Sec. 4122. Judicial review of actions related to campaign finance laws.

                         Subtitle C--Honest Ads

Sec. 4201. Short title.
Sec. 4202. Purpose.
Sec. 4203. Findings.
Sec. 4204. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 4205. Expansion of definition of public communication.
Sec. 4206. Expansion of definition of electioneering communication.

[[Page H2446]]

Sec. 4207. Application of disclaimer statements to online 
              communications.
Sec. 4208. Political record requirements for online platforms.
Sec. 4209. Preventing contributions, expenditures, independent 
              expenditures, and disbursements for electioneering 
              communications by foreign nationals in the form of online 
              advertising.

                     Subtitle D--Stand By Every Ad

Sec. 4301. Short title.
Sec. 4302. Stand By Every Ad.
Sec. 4303. Disclaimer requirements for communications made through 
              prerecorded telephone calls.
Sec. 4304. No expansion of persons subject to disclaimer requirements 
              on Internet communications.
Sec. 4305. Effective date.

                 Subtitle E--Secret Money Transparency

Sec. 4401. Repeal of restriction of use of funds by Internal Revenue 
              Service to bring transparency to political activity of 
              certain nonprofit organizations.

                 Subtitle F--Shareholder Right-to-Know

Sec. 4501. Repeal of restriction on use of funds by Securities and 
              Exchange Commission to ensure shareholders of 
              corporations have knowledge of corporation political 
              activity.

 Subtitle G--Disclosure of Political Spending by Government Contractors

Sec. 4601. Repeal of restriction on use of funds to require disclosure 
              of political spending by government contractors.

  Subtitle H--Limitation and Disclosure Requirements for Presidential 
                          Inaugural Committees

Sec. 4701. Short title.
Sec. 4702. Limitations and disclosure of certain donations to, and 
              disbursements by, Inaugural Committees.

                        Subtitle I--Severability

Sec. 4801. Severability.

    Subtitle A--Findings Relating to Illicit Money Undermining Our 
                               Democracy

     SEC. 4001. FINDINGS RELATING TO ILLICIT MONEY UNDERMINING OUR 
                   DEMOCRACY.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Criminals, terrorists, and corrupt government officials 
     frequently abuse anonymously held Limited Liability Companies 
     (LLCs), also known as ``shell companies,'' to hide, move, and 
     launder the dirty money derived from illicit activities such 
     as trafficking, bribery, exploitation, and embezzlement. 
     Ownership and control of the finances that run through shell 
     companies are obscured to regulators and law enforcement 
     because little information is required and collected when 
     establishing these entities.
       (2) The public release of the ``Panama Papers'' in 2016 and 
     the ``Paradise Papers'' in 2017 revealed that these shell 
     companies often purchase and sell United States real estate. 
     United States anti-money laundering laws do not apply to cash 
     transactions involving real estate effectively concealing the 
     beneficiaries and transactions from regulators and law 
     enforcement.
       (3) Congress should curb the use of anonymous shell 
     companies for illicit purposes by requiring United States 
     companies to disclose their beneficial owners, strengthening 
     anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism finance laws.
       (4) Congress should examine the money laundering and 
     terrorist financing risks in the real estate market, 
     including the role of anonymous parties, and review 
     legislation to address any vulnerabilities identified in this 
     sector.
       (5) Congress should examine the methods by which corruption 
     flourishes and the means to detect and deter the financial 
     misconduct that fuels this driver of global instability. 
     Congress should monitor government efforts to enforce United 
     States anti-corruption laws and regulations.

                        Subtitle B--DISCLOSE Act

     SEC. 4100. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Democracy Is 
     Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 
     2019'' or the ``DISCLOSE Act of 2019''.

            PART 1--REGULATION OF CERTAIN POLITICAL SPENDING

     SEC. 4101. CLARIFICATION OF PROHIBITION ON PARTICIPATION BY 
                   FOREIGN NATIONALS IN ELECTION-RELATED 
                   ACTIVITIES.

       (a) Clarification of Prohibition.--Section 319(a) of the 
     Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30121(a)) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (1);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) and 
     inserting ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) a foreign national to direct, dictate, control, or 
     directly or indirectly participate in the decision making 
     process of any person (including a corporation, labor 
     organization, political committee, or political organization) 
     with regard to such person's Federal or non-Federal election-
     related activity, including any decision concerning the 
     making of contributions, donations, expenditures, or 
     disbursements in connection with an election for any Federal, 
     State, or local office or any decision concerning the 
     administration of a political committee.''.
       (b) Certification of Compliance.--Section 319 of such Act 
     (52 U.S.C. 30121) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subsection:
       ``(c) Certification of Compliance Required Prior To 
     Carrying Out Activity.--Prior to the making in connection 
     with an election for Federal office of any contribution, 
     donation, expenditure, independent expenditures, or 
     disbursement for an electioneering communication by a 
     corporation, limited liability corporation, or partnership 
     during a year, the chief executive officer of the 
     corporation, limited liability corporation, or partnership 
     (or, if the corporation, limited liability corporation, or 
     partnership does not have a chief executive officer, the 
     highest ranking official of the corporation, limited 
     liability corporation, or partnership), shall file a 
     certification with the Commission, under penalty or perjury, 
     that a foreign national did not direct, dictate, control, or 
     directly or indirectly participate in the decision making 
     process relating to such activity in violation of subsection 
     (a)(3), unless the chief executive officer has previously 
     filed such a certification during that calendar year.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect upon the expiration of the 180-day period 
     which begins on the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
     shall take effect without regard to whether or not the 
     Federal Election Commission has promulgated regulations to 
     carry out such amendments.

     SEC. 4102. CLARIFICATION OF APPLICATION OF FOREIGN MONEY BAN 
                   TO CERTAIN DISBURSEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES.

       (a) Application to Disbursements to Super PACs.--Section 
     319(a)(1)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 
     U.S.C. 30121(a)(1)(A)) is amended by striking the semicolon 
     and inserting the following: ``, including any disbursement 
     to a political committee which accepts donations or 
     contributions that do not comply with the limitations, 
     prohibitions, and reporting requirements of this Act (or any 
     disbursement to or on behalf of any account of a political 
     committee which is established for the purpose of accepting 
     such donations or contributions);''.
       (b) Conditions Under Which Corporate PACs May Make 
     Contributions and Expenditures.--Section 316(b) of such Act 
     (52 U.S.C. 30118(b)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new paragraph:
       ``(8) A separate segregated fund established by a 
     corporation may not make a contribution or expenditure during 
     a year unless the fund has certified to the Commission the 
     following during the year:
       ``(A) Each individual who manages the fund, and who is 
     responsible for exercising decisionmaking authority for the 
     fund, is a citizen of the United States or is lawfully 
     admitted for permanent residence in the United States.
       ``(B) No foreign national under section 319 participates in 
     any way in the decisionmaking processes of the fund with 
     regard to contributions or expenditures under this Act.
       ``(C) The fund does not solicit or accept recommendations 
     from any foreign national under section 319 with respect to 
     the contributions or expenditures made by the fund.
       ``(D) Any member of the board of directors of the 
     corporation who is a foreign national under section 319 
     abstains from voting on matters concerning the fund or its 
     activities.''.

          PART 2--REPORTING OF CAMPAIGN-RELATED DISBURSEMENTS

     SEC. 4111. REPORTING OF CAMPAIGN-RELATED DISBURSEMENTS.

       (a) Disclosure Requirements for Corporations, Labor 
     Organizations, and Certain Other Entities.--
       (1) In general.--Section 324 of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30126) is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``SEC. 324. DISCLOSURE OF CAMPAIGN-RELATED DISBURSEMENTS BY 
                   COVERED ORGANIZATIONS.

       ``(a) Disclosure Statement.--
       ``(1) In general.--Any covered organization that makes 
     campaign-related disbursements aggregating more than $10,000 
     in an election reporting cycle shall, not later than 24 hours 
     after each disclosure date, file a statement with the 
     Commission made under penalty of perjury that contains the 
     information described in paragraph (2)--
       ``(A) in the case of the first statement filed under this 
     subsection, for the period beginning on the first day of the 
     election reporting cycle (or, if earlier, the period 
     beginning one year before the first such disclosure date) and 
     ending on the first such disclosure date; and
       ``(B) in the case of any subsequent statement filed under 
     this subsection, for the period beginning on the previous 
     disclosure date and ending on such disclosure date.
       ``(2) Information described.--The information described in 
     this paragraph is as follows:
       ``(A) The name of the covered organization and the 
     principal place of business of such organization and, in the 
     case of a covered organization that is a corporation (other 
     than a business concern that is an issuer of a class of 
     securities registered under section 12 of the Securities 
     Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78l) or that is required to 
     file reports under section 15(d) of that Act (15 U.S.C. 
     78o(d))) or an entity described in subsection

[[Page H2447]]

     (e)(2), a list of the beneficial owners (as defined in 
     paragraph (4)(A)) of the entity that--
       ``(i) identifies each beneficial owner by name and current 
     residential or business street address; and
       ``(ii) if any beneficial owner exercises control over the 
     entity through another legal entity, such as a corporation, 
     partnership, limited liability company, or trust, identifies 
     each such other legal entity and each such beneficial owner 
     who will use that other entity to exercise control over the 
     entity.
       ``(B) The amount of each campaign-related disbursement made 
     by such organization during the period covered by the 
     statement of more than $1,000, and the name and address of 
     the person to whom the disbursement was made.
       ``(C) In the case of a campaign-related disbursement that 
     is not a covered transfer, the election to which the 
     campaign-related disbursement pertains and if the 
     disbursement is made for a public communication, the name of 
     any candidate identified in such communication and whether 
     such communication is in support of or in opposition to a 
     candidate.
       ``(D) A certification by the chief executive officer or 
     person who is the head of the covered organization that the 
     campaign-related disbursement is not made in cooperation, 
     consultation, or concert with or at the request or suggestion 
     of a candidate, authorized committee, or agent of a 
     candidate, political party, or agent of a political party.
       ``(E)(i) If the covered organization makes campaign-related 
     disbursements using exclusively funds in a segregated bank 
     account consisting of funds that were paid directly to such 
     account by persons other than the covered organization that 
     controls the account, for each such payment to the account--
       ``(I) the name and address of each person who made such 
     payment during the period covered by the statement;
       ``(II) the date and amount of such payment; and
       ``(III) the aggregate amount of all such payments made by 
     the person during the period beginning on the first day of 
     the election reporting cycle (or, if earlier, the period 
     beginning one year before the disclosure date) and ending on 
     the disclosure date,
     but only if such payment was made by a person who made 
     payments to the account in an aggregate amount of $10,000 or 
     more during the period beginning on the first day of the 
     election reporting cycle (or, if earlier, the period 
     beginning one year before the disclosure date) and ending on 
     the disclosure date.
       ``(ii) In any calendar year after 2020, section 
     315(c)(1)(B) shall apply to the amount described in clause 
     (i) in the same manner as such section applies to the 
     limitations established under subsections (a)(1)(A), 
     (a)(1)(B), (a)(3), and (h) of such section, except that for 
     purposes of applying such section to the amounts described in 
     subsection (b), the `base period' shall be 2020.
       ``(F)(i) If the covered organization makes campaign-related 
     disbursements using funds other than funds in a segregated 
     bank account described in subparagraph (E), for each payment 
     to the covered organization--
       ``(I) the name and address of each person who made such 
     payment during the period covered by the statement;
       ``(II) the date and amount of such payment; and
       ``(III) the aggregate amount of all such payments made by 
     the person during the period beginning on the first day of 
     the election reporting cycle (or, if earlier, the period 
     beginning one year before the disclosure date) and ending on 
     the disclosure date,
     but only if such payment was made by a person who made 
     payments to the covered organization in an aggregate amount 
     of $10,000 or more during the period beginning on the first 
     day of the election reporting cycle (or, if earlier, the 
     period beginning one year before the disclosure date) and 
     ending on the disclosure date.
       ``(ii) In any calendar year after 2020, section 
     315(c)(1)(B) shall apply to the amount described in clause 
     (i) in the same manner as such section applies to the 
     limitations established under subsections (a)(1)(A), 
     (a)(1)(B), (a)(3), and (h) of such section, except that for 
     purposes of applying such section to the amounts described in 
     subsection (b), the `base period' shall be 2020.
       ``(G) Such other information as required in rules 
     established by the Commission to promote the purposes of this 
     section.
       ``(3) Exceptions.--
       ``(A) Amounts received in ordinary course of business.--The 
     requirement to include in a statement filed under paragraph 
     (1) the information described in paragraph (2) shall not 
     apply to amounts received by the covered organization in 
     commercial transactions in the ordinary course of any trade 
     or business conducted by the covered organization or in the 
     form of investments (other than investments by the principal 
     shareholder in a limited liability corporation) in the 
     covered organization. For purposes of this subparagraph, 
     amounts received by a covered organization as remittances 
     from an employee to the employee's collective bargaining 
     representative shall be treated as amounts received in 
     commercial transactions in the ordinary course of the 
     business conducted by the covered organization.
       ``(B) Donor restriction on use of funds.--The requirement 
     to include in a statement submitted under paragraph (1) the 
     information described in subparagraph (F) of paragraph (2) 
     shall not apply if--
       ``(i) the person described in such subparagraph prohibited, 
     in writing, the use of the payment made by such person for 
     campaign-related disbursements; and
       ``(ii) the covered organization agreed to follow the 
     prohibition and deposited the payment in an account which is 
     segregated from any account used to make campaign-related 
     disbursements.
       ``(C) Threat of harassment or reprisal.--The requirement to 
     include any information relating to the name or address of 
     any person (other than a candidate) in a statement submitted 
     under paragraph (1) shall not apply if the inclusion of the 
     information would subject the person to serious threats, 
     harassment, or reprisals.
       ``(4) Other definitions.--For purposes of this section:
       ``(A) Beneficial owner defined.--
       ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), the 
     term `beneficial owner' means, with respect to any entity, a 
     natural person who, directly or indirectly--

       ``(I) exercises substantial control over an entity through 
     ownership, voting rights, agreement, or otherwise; or
       ``(II) has a substantial interest in or receives 
     substantial economic benefits from the assets of an entity.

       ``(ii) Exceptions.--The term `beneficial owner' shall not 
     include--

       ``(I) a minor child;
       ``(II) a person acting as a nominee, intermediary, 
     custodian, or agent on behalf of another person;
       ``(III) a person acting solely as an employee of an entity 
     and whose control over or economic benefits from the entity 
     derives solely from the employment status of the person;
       ``(IV) a person whose only interest in an entity is through 
     a right of inheritance, unless the person also meets the 
     requirements of clause (i); or
       ``(V) a creditor of an entity, unless the creditor also 
     meets the requirements of clause (i).

       ``(iii) Anti-abuse rule.--The exceptions under clause (ii) 
     shall not apply if used for the purpose of evading, 
     circumventing, or abusing the provisions of clause (i) or 
     paragraph (2)(A).
       ``(B) Disclosure date.--The term `disclosure date' means--
       ``(i) the first date during any election reporting cycle by 
     which a person has made campaign-related disbursements 
     aggregating more than $10,000; and
       ``(ii) any other date during such election reporting cycle 
     by which a person has made campaign-related disbursements 
     aggregating more than $10,000 since the most recent 
     disclosure date for such election reporting cycle.
       ``(C) Election reporting cycle.--The term `election 
     reporting cycle' means the 2-year period beginning on the 
     date of the most recent general election for Federal office.
       ``(D) Payment.--The term `payment' includes any 
     contribution, donation, transfer, payment of dues, or other 
     payment.
       ``(b) Coordination With Other Provisions.--
       ``(1) Other reports filed with the commission.--Information 
     included in a statement filed under this section may be 
     excluded from statements and reports filed under section 304.
       ``(2) Treatment as separate segregated fund.--A segregated 
     bank account referred to in subsection (a)(2)(E) may be 
     treated as a separate segregated fund for purposes of section 
     527(f)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
       ``(c) Filing.--Statements required to be filed under 
     subsection (a) shall be subject to the requirements of 
     section 304(d) to the same extent and in the same manner as 
     if such reports had been required under subsection (c) or (g) 
     of section 304.
       ``(d) Campaign-Related Disbursement Defined.--
       ``(1) In general.--In this section, the term `campaign-
     related disbursement' means a disbursement by a covered 
     organization for any of the following:
       ``(A) An independent expenditure which expressly advocates 
     the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate for 
     election for Federal office, or is the functional equivalent 
     of express advocacy because, when taken as a whole, it can be 
     interpreted by a reasonable person only as advocating the 
     election or defeat of a candidate for election for Federal 
     office.
       ``(B) Any public communication which refers to a clearly 
     identified candidate for election for Federal office and 
     which promotes or supports the election of a candidate for 
     that office, or attacks or opposes the election of a 
     candidate for that office, without regard to whether the 
     communication expressly advocates a vote for or against a 
     candidate for that office.
       ``(C) An electioneering communication, as defined in 
     section 304(f)(3).
       ``(D) A covered transfer.
       ``(2) Intent not required.--A disbursement for an item 
     described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph 
     (1) shall be treated as a campaign-related disbursement 
     regardless of the intent of the person making the 
     disbursement.
       ``(e) Covered Organization Defined.--In this section, the 
     term `covered organization' means any of the following:
       ``(1) A corporation (other than an organization described 
     in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).
       ``(2) A limited liability corporation that is not otherwise 
     treated as a corporation for

[[Page H2448]]

     purposes of this Act (other than an organization described in 
     section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).
       ``(3) An organization described in section 501(c) of such 
     Code and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such 
     Code (other than an organization described in section 
     501(c)(3) of such Code).
       ``(4) A labor organization (as defined in section 316(b)).
       ``(5) Any political organization under section 527 of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986, other than a political 
     committee under this Act (except as provided in paragraph 
     (6)).
       ``(6) A political committee with an account that accepts 
     donations or contributions that do not comply with the 
     contribution limits or source prohibitions under this Act, 
     but only with respect to such accounts.
       ``(f) Covered Transfer Defined.--
       ``(1) In general.--In this section, the term `covered 
     transfer' means any transfer or payment of funds by a covered 
     organization to another person if the covered organization--
       ``(A) designates, requests, or suggests that the amounts be 
     used for--
       ``(i) campaign-related disbursements (other than covered 
     transfers); or
       ``(ii) making a transfer to another person for the purpose 
     of making or paying for such campaign-related disbursements;
       ``(B) made such transfer or payment in response to a 
     solicitation or other request for a donation or payment for--
       ``(i) the making of or paying for campaign-related 
     disbursements (other than covered transfers); or
       ``(ii) making a transfer to another person for the purpose 
     of making or paying for such campaign-related disbursements;
       ``(C) engaged in discussions with the recipient of the 
     transfer or payment regarding--
       ``(i) the making of or paying for campaign-related 
     disbursements (other than covered transfers); or
       ``(ii) donating or transferring any amount of such transfer 
     or payment to another person for the purpose of making or 
     paying for such campaign-related disbursements;
       ``(D) made campaign-related disbursements (other than a 
     covered transfer) in an aggregate amount of $50,000 or more 
     during the 2-year period ending on the date of the transfer 
     or payment, or knew or had reason to know that the person 
     receiving the transfer or payment made such disbursements in 
     such an aggregate amount during that 2-year period; or
       ``(E) knew or had reason to know that the person receiving 
     the transfer or payment would make campaign-related 
     disbursements in an aggregate amount of $50,000 or more 
     during the 2-year period beginning on the date of the 
     transfer or payment.
       ``(2) Exclusions.--The term `covered transfer' does not 
     include any of the following:
       ``(A) A disbursement made by a covered organization in a 
     commercial transaction in the ordinary course of any trade or 
     business conducted by the covered organization or in the form 
     of investments made by the covered organization.
       ``(B) A disbursement made by a covered organization if--
       ``(i) the covered organization prohibited, in writing, the 
     use of such disbursement for campaign-related disbursements; 
     and
       ``(ii) the recipient of the disbursement agreed to follow 
     the prohibition and deposited the disbursement in an account 
     which is segregated from any account used to make campaign-
     related disbursements.
       ``(3) Special rule regarding transfers among affiliates.--
       ``(A) Special rule.--A transfer of an amount by one covered 
     organization to another covered organization which is treated 
     as a transfer between affiliates under subparagraph (C) shall 
     be considered a covered transfer by the covered organization 
     which transfers the amount only if the aggregate amount 
     transferred during the year by such covered organization to 
     that same covered organization is equal to or greater than 
     $50,000.
       ``(B) Determination of amount of certain payments among 
     affiliates.--In determining the amount of a transfer between 
     affiliates for purposes of subparagraph (A), to the extent 
     that the transfer consists of funds attributable to dues, 
     fees, or assessments which are paid by individuals on a 
     regular, periodic basis in accordance with a per-individual 
     calculation which is made on a regular basis, the transfer 
     shall be attributed to the individuals paying the dues, fees, 
     or assessments and shall not be attributed to the covered 
     organization.
       ``(C) Description of transfers between affiliates.--A 
     transfer of amounts from one covered organization to another 
     covered organization shall be treated as a transfer between 
     affiliates if--
       ``(i) one of the organizations is an affiliate of the other 
     organization; or
       ``(ii) each of the organizations is an affiliate of the 
     same organization,
     except that the transfer shall not be treated as a transfer 
     between affiliates if one of the organizations is established 
     for the purpose of making campaign-related disbursements.
       ``(D) Determination of affiliate status.--For purposes of 
     subparagraph (C), a covered organization is an affiliate of 
     another covered organization if--
       ``(i) the governing instrument of the organization requires 
     it to be bound by decisions of the other organization;
       ``(ii) the governing board of the organization includes 
     persons who are specifically designated representatives of 
     the other organization or are members of the governing board, 
     officers, or paid executive staff members of the other 
     organization, or whose service on the governing board is 
     contingent upon the approval of the other organization; or
       ``(iii) the organization is chartered by the other 
     organization.
       ``(E) Coverage of transfers to affiliated section 501(c)(3) 
     organizations.--This paragraph shall apply with respect to an 
     amount transferred by a covered organization to an 
     organization described in paragraph (3) of section 501(c) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under 
     section 501(a) of such Code in the same manner as this 
     paragraph applies to an amount transferred by a covered 
     organization to another covered organization.
       ``(g) No Effect on Other Reporting Requirements.--Nothing 
     in this section shall be construed to waive or otherwise 
     affect any other requirement of this Act which relates to the 
     reporting of campaign-related disbursements.''.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 304(f)(6) of such Act 
     (52 U.S.C. 30104) is amended by striking ``Any requirement'' 
     and inserting ``Except as provided in section 324(b), any 
     requirement''.
       (b) Coordination With FinCEN.--
       (1) In general.--The Director of the Financial Crimes 
     Enforcement Network of the Department of the Treasury shall 
     provide the Federal Election Commission with such information 
     as necessary to assist in administering and enforcing section 
     324 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as added by 
     this section.
       (2) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Chairman of the Federal Election 
     Commission, in consultation with the Director of the 
     Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Department of the 
     Treasury, shall submit to Congress a report with 
     recommendations for providing further legislative authority 
     to assist in the administration and enforcement of such 
     section 324.

     SEC. 4112. APPLICATION OF FOREIGN MONEY BAN TO DISBURSEMENTS 
                   FOR CAMPAIGN-RELATED DISBURSEMENTS CONSISTING 
                   OF COVERED TRANSFERS.

       Section 319(a)(1)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act 
     of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30121(a)(1)(A)), as amended by section 
     4102, is amended by striking the semicolon and inserting the 
     following: ``, and any disbursement, other than an 
     disbursement described in section 324(a)(3)(A), to another 
     person who made a campaign-related disbursement consisting of 
     a covered transfer (as described in section 324) during the 
     2-year period ending on the date of the disbursement;''.

     SEC. 4113. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       The amendments made by this part shall apply with respect 
     to disbursements made on or after January 1, 2020, and shall 
     take effect without regard to whether or not the Federal 
     Election Commission has promulgated regulations to carry out 
     such amendments.

                  PART 3--OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS

     SEC. 4121. PETITION FOR CERTIORARI.

       Section 307(a)(6) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
     1971 (52 U.S.C. 30107(a)(6)) is amended by inserting 
     ``(including a proceeding before the Supreme Court on 
     certiorari)'' after ``appeal''.

     SEC. 4122. JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ACTIONS RELATED TO CAMPAIGN 
                   FINANCE LAWS.

       (a) In General.--Title IV of the Federal Election Campaign 
     Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30141 et seq.) is amended by inserting 
     after section 406 the following new section:

     ``SEC. 407. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

       ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding section 373(f), if any 
     action is brought for declaratory or injunctive relief to 
     challenge the constitutionality of any provision of this Act 
     or of chapter 95 or 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 
     or is brought to with respect to any action of the Commission 
     under chapter 95 or 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 
     the following rules shall apply:
       ``(1) The action shall be filed in the United States 
     District Court for the District of Columbia and an appeal 
     from the decision of the district court may be taken to the 
     Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
       ``(2) In the case of an action relating to declaratory or 
     injunctive relief to challenge the constitutionality of a 
     provision--
       ``(A) a copy of the complaint shall be delivered promptly 
     to the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the 
     Secretary of the Senate; and
       ``(B) it shall be the duty of the United States District 
     Court for the District of Columbia, the Court of Appeals for 
     the District of Columbia, and the Supreme Court of the United 
     States to advance on the docket and to expedite to the 
     greatest possible extent the disposition of the action and 
     appeal.
       ``(b) Intervention by Members of Congress.--In any action 
     in which the constitutionality of any provision of this Act 
     or chapter 95 or 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
     raised, any Member of the House of Representatives (including 
     a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress) or 
     Senate shall have the right to intervene either in support of 
     or opposition to the position of a party to the case 
     regarding the constitutionality of the provision. To avoid 
     duplication of efforts and reduce the burdens placed on the 
     parties to the action, the court in any such action may make 
     such orders as it considers necessary, including orders to

[[Page H2449]]

     require interveners taking similar positions to file joint 
     papers or to be represented by a single attorney at oral 
     argument.
       ``(c) Challenge by Members of Congress.--Any Member of 
     Congress may bring an action, subject to the special rules 
     described in subsection (a), for declaratory or injunctive 
     relief to challenge the constitutionality of any provision of 
     this Act or chapter 95 or 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) In general.--
       (A) Section 9011 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
     amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 9011. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

       ``For provisions relating to judicial review of 
     certifications, determinations, and actions by the Commission 
     under this chapter, see section 407 of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971.''.
       (B) Section 9041 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
     amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 9041. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

       ``For provisions relating to judicial review of actions by 
     the Commission under this chapter, see section 407 of the 
     Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.''.
       (C) Section 403 of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 
     2002 (52 U.S.C. 30110 note) is repealed.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to actions brought on or after January 1, 2019.

                         Subtitle C--Honest Ads

     SEC. 4201. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Honest Ads Act''.

     SEC. 4202. PURPOSE.

       The purpose of this subtitle is to enhance the integrity of 
     American democracy and national security by improving 
     disclosure requirements for online political advertisements 
     in order to uphold the Supreme Court's well-established 
     standard that the electorate bears the right to be fully 
     informed.

     SEC. 4203. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) On January 6, 2017, the Office of the Director of 
     National Intelligence published a report titled ``Assessing 
     Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent U.S. Elections'', 
     noting that ``Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an 
     influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential 
     election . . .''. Moscow's influence campaign followed a 
     Russian messaging strategy that blends covert intelligence 
     operation--such as cyber activity--with overt efforts by 
     Russian Government agencies, state-funded media, third-party 
     intermediaries, and paid social media users or ``trolls''.
       (2) On November 24, 2016, The Washington Post reported 
     findings from 2 teams of independent researchers that 
     concluded Russians ``exploited American-made technology 
     platforms to attack U.S. democracy at a particularly 
     vulnerable moment . . . as part of a broadly effective 
     strategy of sowing distrust in U.S. democracy and its 
     leaders.''.
       (3) Findings from a 2017 study on the manipulation of 
     public opinion through social media conducted by the 
     Computational Propaganda Research Project at the Oxford 
     Internet Institute found that the Kremlin is using pro-
     Russian bots to manipulate public discourse to a highly 
     targeted audience. With a sample of nearly 1,300,000 tweets, 
     researchers found that in the 2016 election's 3 decisive 
     States, propaganda constituted 40 percent of the sampled 
     election-related tweets that went to Pennsylvanians, 34 
     percent to Michigan voters, and 30 percent to those in 
     Wisconsin. In other swing States, the figure reached 42 
     percent in Missouri, 41 percent in Florida, 40 percent in 
     North Carolina, 38 percent in Colorado, and 35 percent in 
     Ohio.
       (4) On September 6, 2017, the nation's largest social media 
     platform disclosed that between June 2015 and May 2017, 
     Russian entities purchased $100,000 in political 
     advertisements, publishing roughly 3,000 ads linked to fake 
     accounts associated with the Internet Research Agency, a pro-
     Kremlin organization. According to the company, the ads 
     purchased focused ``on amplifying divisive social and 
     political messages . . .''.
       (5) In 2002, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act became law, 
     establishing disclosure requirements for political 
     advertisements distributed from a television or radio 
     broadcast station or provider of cable or satellite 
     television. In 2003, the Supreme Court upheld regulations on 
     electioneering communications established under the Act, 
     noting that such requirements ``provide the electorate with 
     information and insure that the voters are fully informed 
     about the person or group who is speaking.''.
       (6) According to a study from Borrell Associates, in 2016, 
     $1,415,000,000 was spent on online advertising, more than 
     quadruple the amount in 2012.
       (7) The reach of a few large internet platforms--larger 
     than any broadcast, satellite, or cable provider--has greatly 
     facilitated the scope and effectiveness of disinformation 
     campaigns. For instance, the largest platform has over 
     210,000,000 Americans users--over 160,000,000 of them on a 
     daily basis. By contrast, the largest cable television 
     provider has 22,430,000 subscribers, while the largest 
     satellite television provider has 21,000,000 subscribers. And 
     the most-watched television broadcast in United States 
     history had 118,000,000 viewers.
       (8) The public nature of broadcast television, radio, and 
     satellite ensures a level of publicity for any political 
     advertisement. These communications are accessible to the 
     press, fact-checkers, and political opponents; this creates 
     strong disincentives for a candidate to disseminate 
     materially false, inflammatory, or contradictory messages to 
     the public. Social media platforms, in contrast, can target 
     portions of the electorate with direct, ephemeral 
     advertisements often on the basis of private information the 
     platform has on individuals, enabling political 
     advertisements that are contradictory, racially or socially 
     inflammatory, or materially false.
       (9) According to comScore, 2 companies own 8 of the 10 most 
     popular smartphone applications as of June 2017, including 
     the most popular social media and email services--which 
     deliver information and news to users without requiring 
     proactivity by the user. Those same 2 companies accounted for 
     99 percent of revenue growth from digital advertising in 
     2016, including 77 percent of gross spending. 79 percent of 
     online Americans--representing 68 percent of all Americans--
     use the single largest social network, while 66 percent of 
     these users are most likely to get their news from that site.
       (10) In its 2006 rulemaking, the Federal Election 
     Commission noted that only 18 percent of all Americans cited 
     the internet as their leading source of news about the 2004 
     Presidential election; by contrast, the Pew Research Center 
     found that 65 percent of Americans identified an internet-
     based source as their leading source of information for the 
     2016 election.
       (11) The Federal Election Commission, the independent 
     Federal agency charged with protecting the integrity of the 
     Federal campaign finance process by providing transparency 
     and administering campaign finance laws, has failed to take 
     action to address online political advertisements.
       (12) In testimony before the Senate Select Committee on 
     Intelligence titled, ``Disinformation: A Primer in Russian 
     Active Measures and Influence Campaigns'', multiple expert 
     witnesses testified that while the disinformation tactics of 
     foreign adversaries have not necessarily changed, social 
     media services now provide ``platform[s] practically purpose-
     built for active measures[.]'' Similarly, as Gen. Keith B. 
     Alexander (RET.), the former Director of the National 
     Security Agency, testified, during the Cold War ``if the 
     Soviet Union sought to manipulate information flow, it would 
     have to do so principally through its own propaganda outlets 
     or through active measures that would generate specific news: 
     planting of leaflets, inciting of violence, creation of other 
     false materials and narratives. But the news itself was hard 
     to manipulate because it would have required actual control 
     of the organs of media, which took long-term efforts to 
     penetrate. Today, however, because the clear majority of the 
     information on social media sites is uncurated and there is a 
     rapid proliferation of information sources and other sites 
     that can reinforce information, there is an increasing 
     likelihood that the information available to average 
     consumers may be inaccurate (whether intentionally or 
     otherwise) and may be more easily manipulable than in prior 
     eras.''.
       (13) Current regulations on political advertisements do not 
     provide sufficient transparency to uphold the public's right 
     to be fully informed about political advertisements made 
     online.

     SEC. 4204. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the dramatic increase in digital political 
     advertisements, and the growing centrality of online 
     platforms in the lives of Americans, requires the Congress 
     and the Federal Election Commission to take meaningful action 
     to ensure that laws and regulations provide the 
     accountability and transparency that is fundamental to our 
     democracy;.
       (2) free and fair elections require both transparency and 
     accountability which give the public a right to know the true 
     sources of funding for political advertisements in order to 
     make informed political choices and hold elected officials 
     accountable; and
       (3) transparency of funding for political advertisements is 
     essential to enforce other campaign finance laws, including 
     the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals.

     SEC. 4205. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.

       (a) In General.--Paragraph (22) of section 301 of the 
     Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(22)) 
     is amended by striking ``or satellite communication'' and 
     inserting ``satellite, paid internet, or paid digital 
     communication''.
       (b) Treatment of Contributions and Expenditures.--Section 
     301 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30101) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (8)(B)(v), by striking ``on broadcasting 
     stations, or in newspapers, magazines, or similar types of 
     general public political advertising'' and inserting ``in any 
     public communication''; and
       (2) in paragraph (9)(B)--
       (A) by amending clause (i) to read as follows:
       ``(i) any news story, commentary, or editorial distributed 
     through the facilities of any broadcasting station or any 
     print, online, or digital newspaper, magazine, blog, 
     publication, or periodical, unless such broadcasting, print, 
     online, or digital facilities are owned or controlled by any 
     political party, political committee, or candidate;''; and

[[Page H2450]]

       (B) in clause (iv), by striking ``on broadcasting stations, 
     or in newspapers, magazines, or similar types of general 
     public political advertising'' and inserting ``in any public 
     communication''.
       (c) Disclosure and Disclaimer Statements.--Subsection (a) 
     of section 318 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30120) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``financing any communication through any 
     broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, outdoor 
     advertising facility, mailing, or any other type of general 
     public political advertising'' and inserting ``financing any 
     public communication''; and
       (2) by striking ``solicits any contribution through any 
     broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, outdoor 
     advertising facility, mailing, or any other type of general 
     public political advertising'' and inserting ``solicits any 
     contribution through any public communication''.

     SEC. 4206. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF ELECTIONEERING 
                   COMMUNICATION.

       (a) Expansion to Online Communications.--
       (1) Application to qualified internet and digital 
     communications.--
       (A) In general.--Subparagraph (A) of section 304(f)(3) of 
     the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 
     30104(f)(3)(A)) is amended by striking ``or satellite 
     communication'' each place it appears in clauses (i) and (ii) 
     and inserting ``satellite, or qualified internet or digital 
     communication''.
       (B) Qualified internet or digital communication.--Paragraph 
     (3) of section 304(f) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30104(f)) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(D) Qualified internet or digital communication.--The 
     term `qualified internet or digital communication' means any 
     communication which is placed or promoted for a fee on an 
     online platform (as defined in subsection (j)(3)).''.
       (2) Nonapplication of relevant electorate to online 
     communications.--Section 304(f)(3)(A)(i)(III) of such Act (52 
     U.S.C. 30104(f)(3)(A)(i)(III)) is amended by inserting ``any 
     broadcast, cable, or satellite'' before ``communication''.
       (3) News exemption.--Section 304(f)(3)(B)(i) of such Act 
     (52 U.S.C. 30104(f)(3)(B)(i)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(i) a communication appearing in a news story, 
     commentary, or editorial distributed through the facilities 
     of any broadcasting station or any online or digital 
     newspaper, magazine, blog, publication, or periodical, unless 
     such broadcasting, online, or digital facilities are owned or 
     controlled by any political party, political committee, or 
     candidate;''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to communications made on or after 
     January 1, 2020.

     SEC. 4207. APPLICATION OF DISCLAIMER STATEMENTS TO ONLINE 
                   COMMUNICATIONS.

       (a) Clear and Conspicuous Manner Requirement.--Subsection 
     (a) of section 318 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
     1971 (52 U.S.C. 30120(a)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``shall clearly state'' each place it 
     appears in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) and inserting ``shall 
     state in a clear and conspicuous manner''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following flush sentence: 
     ``For purposes of this section, a communication does not make 
     a statement in a clear and conspicuous manner if it is 
     difficult to read or hear or if the placement is easily 
     overlooked.''.
       (b) Special Rules for Qualified Internet or Digital 
     Communications.--
       (1) In general.--Section 318 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30120) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e) Special Rules for Qualified Internet or Digital 
     Communications.--
       ``(1) Special rules with respect to statements.--In the 
     case of any qualified internet or digital communication (as 
     defined in section 304(f)(3)(D)) which is disseminated 
     through a medium in which the provision of all of the 
     information specified in this section is not possible, the 
     communication shall, in a clear and conspicuous manner--
       ``(A) state the name of the person who paid for the 
     communication; and
       ``(B) provide a means for the recipient of the 
     communication to obtain the remainder of the information 
     required under this section with minimal effort and without 
     receiving or viewing any additional material other than such 
     required information.
       ``(2) Safe harbor for determining clear and conspicuous 
     manner.--A statement in qualified internet or digital 
     communication (as defined in section 304(f)(3)(D)) shall be 
     considered to be made in a clear and conspicuous manner as 
     provided in subsection (a) if the communication meets the 
     following requirements:
       ``(A) Text or graphic communications.--In the case of a 
     text or graphic communication, the statement--
       ``(i) appears in letters at least as large as the majority 
     of the text in the communication; and
       ``(ii) meets the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) of 
     subsection (c).
       ``(B) Audio communications.--In the case of an audio 
     communication, the statement is spoken in a clearly audible 
     and intelligible manner at the beginning or end of the 
     communication and lasts at least 3 seconds.
       ``(C) Video communications.--In the case of a video 
     communication which also includes audio, the statement--
       ``(i) is included at either the beginning or the end of the 
     communication; and
       ``(ii) is made both in--

       ``(I) a written format that meets the requirements of 
     subparagraph (A) and appears for at least 4 seconds; and
       ``(II) an audible format that meets the requirements of 
     subparagraph (B).

       ``(D) Other communications.--In the case of any other type 
     of communication, the statement is at least as clear and 
     conspicuous as the statement specified in subparagraph (A), 
     (B), or (C).''.
       (2) Nonapplication of certain exceptions.--The exceptions 
     provided in section 110.11(f)(1)(i) and (ii) of title 11, 
     Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor to such rules, 
     shall have no application to qualified internet or digital 
     communications (as defined in section 304(f)(3)(D) of the 
     Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971).
       (c) Modification of Additional Requirements for Certain 
     Communications.--Section 318(d) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
     30120(d)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(A)--
       (A) by striking ``which is transmitted through radio'' and 
     inserting ``which is in an audio format''; and
       (B) by striking ``By radio'' in the heading and inserting 
     ``Audio format'';
       (2) in paragraph (1)(B)--
       (A) by striking ``which is transmitted through television'' 
     and inserting ``which is in video format''; and
       (B) by striking ``By television'' in the heading and 
     inserting ``Video format''; and
       (3) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``transmitted through radio or television'' 
     and inserting ``made in audio or video format''; and
       (B) by striking ``through television'' in the second 
     sentence and inserting ``in video format''.

     SEC. 4208. POLITICAL RECORD REQUIREMENTS FOR ONLINE 
                   PLATFORMS.

       (a) In General.--Section 304 of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30104) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(j) Disclosure of Certain Online Advertisements.--
       ``(1) In general.--
       ``(A) Requirements for online platforms.--An online 
     platform shall maintain, and make available for online public 
     inspection in machine readable format, a complete record of 
     any request to purchase on such online platform a qualified 
     political advertisement which is made by a person whose 
     aggregate requests to purchase qualified political 
     advertisements on such online platform during the calendar 
     year exceeds $500.
       ``(B) Requirements for advertisers.--Any person who 
     requests to purchase a qualified political advertisement on 
     an online platform shall provide the online platform with 
     such information as is necessary for the online platform to 
     comply with the requirements of subparagraph (A).
       ``(2) Contents of record.--A record maintained under 
     paragraph (1)(A) shall contain--
       ``(A) a digital copy of the qualified political 
     advertisement;
       ``(B) a description of the audience targeted by the 
     advertisement, the number of views generated from the 
     advertisement, and the date and time that the advertisement 
     is first displayed and last displayed; and
       ``(C) information regarding--
       ``(i) the average rate charged for the advertisement;
       ``(ii) the name of the candidate to which the advertisement 
     refers and the office to which the candidate is seeking 
     election, the election to which the advertisement refers, or 
     the national legislative issue to which the advertisement 
     refers (as applicable);
       ``(iii) in the case of a request made by, or on behalf of, 
     a candidate, the name of the candidate, the authorized 
     committee of the candidate, and the treasurer of such 
     committee; and
       ``(iv) in the case of any request not described in clause 
     (iii), the name of the person purchasing the advertisement, 
     the name and address of a contact person for such person, and 
     a list of the chief executive officers or members of the 
     executive committee or of the board of directors of such 
     person.
       ``(3) Online platform.--For purposes of this subsection, 
     the term `online platform' means any public-facing website, 
     web application, or digital application (including a social 
     network, ad network, or search engine) which--
       ``(A) sells qualified political advertisements; and
       ``(B) has 50,000,000 or more unique monthly United States 
     visitors or users for a majority of months during the 
     preceding 12 months.
       ``(4) Qualified political advertisement.--For purposes of 
     this subsection, the term `qualified political advertisement' 
     means any advertisement (including search engine marketing, 
     display advertisements, video advertisements, native 
     advertisements, and sponsorships) that--
       ``(A) is made by or on behalf of a candidate; or
       ``(B) communicates a message relating to any political 
     matter of national importance, including--
       ``(i) a candidate;
       ``(ii) any election to Federal office; or
       ``(iii) a national legislative issue of public importance.
       ``(5) Time to maintain file.--The information required 
     under this subsection shall be

[[Page H2451]]

     made available as soon as possible and shall be retained by 
     the online platform for a period of not less than 4 years.
       ``(6) Safe harbor for platforms making best efforts to 
     identify requests which are subject to record maintenance 
     requirements.--In accordance with rules established by the 
     Commission, if an online platform shows that the platform 
     used best efforts to determine whether or not a request to 
     purchase a qualified political advertisement was subject to 
     the requirements of this subsection, the online platform 
     shall not be considered to be in violation of such 
     requirements.
       ``(7) Penalties.--For penalties for failure by online 
     platforms, and persons requesting to purchase a qualified 
     political advertisement on online platforms, to comply with 
     the requirements of this subsection, see section 309.''.
       (b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Federal Election Commission 
     shall establish rules--
       (1) requiring common data formats for the record required 
     to be maintained under section 304(j) of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971 (as added by subsection (a)) so that all 
     online platforms submit and maintain data online in a common, 
     machine-readable and publicly accessible format; and
       (2) establishing search interface requirements relating to 
     such record, including searches by candidate name, issue, 
     purchaser, and date; and
       (3) establishing the criteria for the safe harbor exception 
     provided under paragraph (6) of section 304(j) of such Act 
     (as added by subsection (a)).
       (c) Reporting.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and biannually thereafter, the 
     Chairman of the Federal Election Commission shall submit a 
     report to Congress on--
       (1) matters relating to compliance with and the enforcement 
     of the requirements of section 304(j) of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971, as added by subsection (a);
       (2) recommendations for any modifications to such section 
     to assist in carrying out its purposes; and
       (3) identifying ways to bring transparency and 
     accountability to political advertisements distributed online 
     for free.

     SEC. 4209. PREVENTING CONTRIBUTIONS, EXPENDITURES, 
                   INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES, AND DISBURSEMENTS FOR 
                   ELECTIONEERING COMMUNICATIONS BY FOREIGN 
                   NATIONALS IN THE FORM OF ONLINE ADVERTISING.

       Section 319 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 
     (52 U.S.C. 30121), as amended by section 4101(a)(2) and 
     section 4101(b), is further amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subsection:
       ``(e) Responsibilities of Broadcast Stations, Providers of 
     Cable and Satellite Television, and Online Platforms.--Each 
     television or radio broadcast station, provider of cable or 
     satellite television, or online platform (as defined in 
     section 304(j)(3)) shall make reasonable efforts to ensure 
     that communications described in section 318(a) and made 
     available by such station, provider, or platform are not 
     purchased by a foreign national, directly or indirectly.''.

                     Subtitle D--Stand By Every Ad

     SEC. 4301. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Stand By Every Ad 
     Act''.

     SEC. 4302. STAND BY EVERY AD.

       (a) Expanded Disclaimer Requirements for Certain 
     Communications.--Section 318 of the Federal Election Campaign 
     Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30120), as amended by section 
     4207(b)(1), is further amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(e) Expanded Disclaimer Requirements for Communications 
     Not Authorized by Candidates or Committees.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (6), any 
     communication described in paragraph (3) of subsection (a) 
     which is transmitted in an audio or video format (including 
     an Internet or digital communication), or which is an 
     Internet or digital communication transmitted in a text or 
     graphic format, shall include, in addition to the 
     requirements of paragraph (3) of subsection (a), the 
     following:
       ``(A) The individual disclosure statement described in 
     paragraph (2)(A) (if the person paying for the communication 
     is an individual) or the organizational disclosure statement 
     described in paragraph (2)(B) (if the person paying for the 
     communication is not an individual).
       ``(B) If the communication is transmitted in a video 
     format, or is an Internet or digital communication which is 
     transmitted in a text or graphic format, and is paid for in 
     whole or in part with a payment which is treated as a 
     campaign-related disbursement under section 324--
       ``(i) the Top Five Funders list (if applicable); or
       ``(ii) in the case of a communication which, as determined 
     on the basis of criteria established in regulations issued by 
     the Commission, is of such short duration that including the 
     Top Five Funders list in the communication would constitute a 
     hardship to the person paying for the communication by 
     requiring a disproportionate amount of the content of the 
     communication to consist of the Top Five Funders list, the 
     name of a website which contains the Top Five Funders list 
     (if applicable) or, in the case of an Internet or digital 
     communication, a hyperlink to such website.
       ``(C) If the communication is transmitted in an audio 
     format and is paid for in whole or in part with a payment 
     which is treated as a campaign-related disbursement under 
     section 324--
       ``(i) the Top Two Funders list (if applicable); or
       ``(ii) in the case of a communication which, as determined 
     on the basis of criteria established in regulations issued by 
     the Commission, is of such short duration that including the 
     Top Two Funders list in the communication would constitute a 
     hardship to the person paying for the communication by 
     requiring a disproportionate amount of the content of the 
     communication to consist of the Top Two Funders list, the 
     name of a website which contains the Top Two Funders list (if 
     applicable).
       ``(2) Disclosure statements described.--
       ``(A) Individual disclosure statements.--The individual 
     disclosure statement described in this subparagraph is the 
     following: `I am ________, and I approve this message.', with 
     the blank filled in with the name of the applicable 
     individual.
       ``(B) Organizational disclosure statements.--The 
     organizational disclosure statement described in this 
     subparagraph is the following: `I am ________, the ________ 
     of ________, and ________ approves this message.', with--
       ``(i) the first blank to be filled in with the name of the 
     applicable individual;
       ``(ii) the second blank to be filled in with the title of 
     the applicable individual; and
       ``(iii) the third and fourth blank each to be filled in 
     with the name of the organization or other person paying for 
     the communication.
       ``(3) Method of conveyance of statement.--
       ``(A) Communications in text or graphic format.--In the 
     case of a communication to which this subsection applies 
     which is transmitted in a text or graphic format, the 
     disclosure statements required under paragraph (1) shall 
     appear in letters at least as large as the majority of the 
     text in the communication.
       ``(B) Communications transmitted in audio format.--In the 
     case of a communication to which this subsection applies 
     which is transmitted in an audio format, the disclosure 
     statements required under paragraph (1) shall be made by 
     audio by the applicable individual in a clear and conspicuous 
     manner.
       ``(C) Communications transmitted in video format.--In the 
     case of a communication to which this subsection applies 
     which is transmitted in a video format, the information 
     required under paragraph (1)--
       ``(i) shall appear in writing at the end of the 
     communication or in a crawl along the bottom of the 
     communication in a clear and conspicuous manner, with a 
     reasonable degree of color contrast between the background 
     and the printed statement, for a period of at least 6 
     seconds; and
       ``(ii) shall also be conveyed by an unobscured, full-screen 
     view of the applicable individual or by the applicable 
     individual making the statement in voice-over accompanied by 
     a clearly identifiable photograph or similar image of the 
     individual, except in the case of a Top Five Funders list.
       ``(4) Applicable individual defined.--The term `applicable 
     individual' means, with respect to a communication to which 
     this subsection applies--
       ``(A) if the communication is paid for by an individual, 
     the individual involved;
       ``(B) if the communication is paid for by a corporation, 
     the chief executive officer of the corporation (or, if the 
     corporation does not have a chief executive officer, the 
     highest ranking official of the corporation);
       ``(C) if the communication is paid for by a labor 
     organization, the highest ranking officer of the labor 
     organization; and
       ``(D) if the communication is paid for by any other person, 
     the highest ranking official of such person.
       ``(5) Top five funders list and top two funders list 
     defined.--
       ``(A) Top five funders list.--The term `Top Five Funders 
     list' means, with respect to a communication which is paid 
     for in whole or in part with a campaign-related disbursement 
     (as defined in section 324), a list of the five persons who, 
     during the 12-month period ending on the date of the 
     disbursement, provided the largest payments of any type in an 
     aggregate amount equal to or exceeding $10,000 to the person 
     who is paying for the communication and the amount of the 
     payments each such person provided. If two or more people 
     provided the fifth largest of such payments, the person 
     paying for the communication shall select one of those 
     persons to be included on the Top Five Funders list.
       ``(B) Top two funders list.--The term `Top Two Funders 
     list' means, with respect to a communication which is paid 
     for in whole or in part with a campaign-related disbursement 
     (as defined in section 324), a list of the persons who, 
     during the 12-month period ending on the date of the 
     disbursement, provided the largest and the second largest 
     payments of any type in an aggregate amount equal to or 
     exceeding $10,000 to the person who is paying for the 
     communication and the amount of the payments each such person 
     provided. If two or more persons provided the second largest 
     of such payments, the person paying for the communication

[[Page H2452]]

     shall select one of those persons to be included on the Top 
     Two Funders list.
       ``(C) Exclusion of certain payments.--For purposes of 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B), in determining the amount of 
     payments made by a person to a person paying for a 
     communication, there shall be excluded the following:
       ``(i) Any amounts provided in the ordinary course of any 
     trade or business conducted by the person paying for the 
     communication or in the form of investments in the person 
     paying for the communication.
       ``(ii) Any payment which the person prohibited, in writing, 
     from being used for campaign-related disbursements, but only 
     if the person paying for the communication agreed to follow 
     the prohibition and deposited the payment in an account which 
     is segregated from any account used to make campaign-related 
     disbursements.
       ``(6) Special rules for certain communications.--
       ``(A) Exception for communications paid for by political 
     parties and certain political committees.--This subsection 
     does not apply to any communication to which subsection 
     (d)(2) applies.
       ``(B) Treatment of video communications lasting 10 seconds 
     or less.--In the case of a communication to which this 
     subsection applies which is transmitted in a video format, or 
     is an Internet or digital communication which is transmitted 
     in a text or graphic format, the communication shall meet the 
     following requirements:
       ``(i) The communication shall include the individual 
     disclosure statement described in paragraph (2)(A) (if the 
     person paying for the communication is an individual) or the 
     organizational disclosure statement described in paragraph 
     (2)(B) (if the person paying for the communication is not an 
     individual).
       ``(ii) The statement described in clause (i) shall appear 
     in writing at the end of the communication, or in a crawl 
     along the bottom of the communication, in a clear and 
     conspicuous manner, with a reasonable degree of color 
     contrast between the background and the printed statement, 
     for a period of at least 4 seconds.
       ``(iii) The communication shall include, in a clear and 
     conspicuous manner, a website address with a landing page 
     which will provide all of the information described in 
     paragraph (1) with respect to the communication. Such address 
     shall appear for the full duration of the communication.
       ``(iv) To the extent that the format in which the 
     communication is made permits the use of a hyperlink, the 
     communication shall include a hyperlink to the website 
     address described in clause (iii).''.
       (b) Application of Expanded Requirements to Public 
     Communications Consisting of Campaign-Related 
     Disbursements.--Section 318(a) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
     30120(a)) is amended by striking ``for the purpose of 
     financing communications expressly advocating the election or 
     defeat of a clearly identified candidate'' and inserting 
     ``for a campaign-related disbursement, as defined in section 
     324, consisting of a public communication''.
       (c) Exception for Communications Paid for by Political 
     Parties and Certain Political Committees.--Section 318(d)(2) 
     of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30120(d)(2)) is amended--
       (1) in the heading, by striking ``others'' and inserting 
     ``certain political committees'';
       (2) by striking ``Any communication'' and inserting ``(A) 
     Any communication'';
       (3) by inserting ``which (except to the extent provided in 
     subparagraph (B)) is paid for by a political committee 
     (including a political committee of a political party) and'' 
     after ``subsection (a)'';
       (4) by striking ``or other person'' each place it appears; 
     and
       (5) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(B)(i) This paragraph does not apply to a communication 
     paid for in whole or in part during a calendar year with a 
     campaign-related disbursement, but only if the covered 
     organization making the campaign-related disbursement made 
     campaign-related disbursements (as defined in section 324) 
     aggregating more than $10,000 during such calendar year.
       ``(ii) For purposes of clause (i), in determining the 
     amount of campaign-related disbursements made by a covered 
     organization during a year, there shall be excluded the 
     following:
       ``(I) Any amounts received by the covered organization in 
     the ordinary course of any trade or business conducted by the 
     covered organization or in the form of investments in the 
     covered organization.
       ``(II) Any amounts received by the covered organization 
     from a person who prohibited, in writing, the organization 
     from using such amounts for campaign-related disbursements, 
     but only if the covered organization agreed to follow the 
     prohibition and deposited the amounts in an account which is 
     segregated from any account used to make campaign-related 
     disbursements.''.

     SEC. 4303. DISCLAIMER REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMUNICATIONS MADE 
                   THROUGH PRERECORDED TELEPHONE CALLS.

       (a) Application of Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--Section 318(a) of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30120(a)), as amended by 
     section 4205(c), is amended by inserting after ``public 
     communication'' each place it appears the following: 
     ``(including a telephone call consisting in substantial part 
     of a prerecorded audio message)''.
       (2) Application to communications subject to expanded 
     disclaimer requirements.--Section 318(e)(1) of such Act (52 
     U.S.C. 30120(e)(1)), as added by section 4302(a), is amended 
     in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking ``which 
     is transmitted in an audio or video format'' and inserting 
     ``which is transmitted in an audio or video format or which 
     consists of a telephone call consisting in substantial part 
     of a prerecorded audio message''.
       (b) Treatment as Communication Transmitted in Audio 
     Format.--
       (1) Communications by candidates or authorized persons.--
     Section 318(d) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30120(d)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) Prerecorded telephone calls.--Any communication 
     described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a) 
     (other than a communication which is subject to subsection 
     (e)) which is a telephone call consisting in substantial part 
     of a prerecorded audio message shall include, in addition to 
     the requirements of such paragraph, the audio statement 
     required under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) or the audio 
     statement required under paragraph (2) (whichever is 
     applicable), except that the statement shall be made at the 
     beginning of the telephone call.''.
       (2) Communications subject to expanded disclaimer 
     requirements.--Section 318(e)(3) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
     30120(e)(3)), as added by section 4302(a), is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(D) Prerecorded telephone calls.--In the case of a 
     communication to which this subsection applies which is a 
     telephone call consisting in substantial part of a 
     prerecorded audio message, the communication shall be 
     considered to be transmitted in an audio format.''.

     SEC. 4304. NO EXPANSION OF PERSONS SUBJECT TO DISCLAIMER 
                   REQUIREMENTS ON INTERNET COMMUNICATIONS.

       Nothing in this subtitle or the amendments made by this 
     subtitle may be construed to require any person who is not 
     required under section 318 of the Federal Election Campaign 
     Act of 1971 (as provided under section 110.11 of title 11 of 
     the Code of Federal Regulations) to include a disclaimer on 
     communications made by the person through the internet to 
     include any disclaimer on any such communications.

     SEC. 4305. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       The amendments made by this subtitle shall apply with 
     respect to communications made on or after January 1, 2020, 
     and shall take effect without regard to whether or not the 
     Federal Election Commission has promulgated regulations to 
     carry out such amendments.

                 Subtitle E--Secret Money Transparency

     SEC. 4401. REPEAL OF RESTRICTION OF USE OF FUNDS BY INTERNAL 
                   REVENUE SERVICE TO BRING TRANSPARENCY TO 
                   POLITICAL ACTIVITY OF CERTAIN NONPROFIT 
                   ORGANIZATIONS.

       Section 124 of the Financial Services and General 
     Government Appropriations Act, 2019 (division D of Public Law 
     116-6) is hereby repealed.

     SEC. 4402. REPEAL OF REVENUE PROCEDURE THAT ELIMINATED 
                   REQUIREMENT TO REPORT INFORMATION REGARDNG 
                   CONTRIBUTIONS TO CERTAIN TAX-EXEMPT 
                   ORGANIZATIONS.

       Revenue Procedure 2018-38 shall have no force and effect.

                 Subtitle F--Shareholder Right-to-Know

     SEC. 4501. REPEAL OF RESTRICTION ON USE OF FUNDS BY 
                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION TO ENSURE 
                   SHAREHOLDERS OF CORPORATIONS HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF 
                   CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTIVITY.

       Section 629 of the Financial Services and General 
     Government Appropriations Act, 2019 (division D of Public Law 
     116-6) is hereby repealed.

 Subtitle G--Disclosure of Political Spending by Government Contractors

     SEC. 4601. REPEAL OF RESTRICTION ON USE OF FUNDS TO REQUIRE 
                   DISCLOSURE OF POLITICAL SPENDING BY GOVERNMENT 
                   CONTRACTORS.

       Section 735 of the Financial Services and General 
     Government Appropriations Act, 2019 (division D of Public Law 
     116-6) is hereby repealed.

  Subtitle H--Limitation and Disclosure Requirements for Presidential 
                          Inaugural Committees

     SEC. 4701. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Presidential Inaugural 
     Committee Oversight Act''.

     SEC. 4702. LIMITATIONS AND DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN DONATIONS 
                   TO, AND DISBURSEMENTS BY, INAUGURAL COMMITTEES.

       (a) Requirements for Inaugural Committees.--Title III of 
     the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et 
     seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     section:

     ``SEC. 325. INAUGURAL COMMITTEES.

       ``(a) Prohibited Donations.--
       ``(1) In general.--It shall be unlawful--
       ``(A) for an Inaugural Committee--
       ``(i) to solicit, accept, or receive a donation from a 
     person that is not an individual; or
       ``(ii) to solicit, accept, or receive a donation from a 
     foreign national;
       ``(B) for a person--
       ``(i) to make a donation to an Inaugural Committee in the 
     name of another person, or

[[Page H2453]]

     to knowingly authorize his or her name to be used to effect 
     such a donation;
       ``(ii) to knowingly accept a donation to an Inaugural 
     Committee made by a person in the name of another person; or
       ``(iii) to convert a donation to an Inaugural Committee to 
     personal use as described in paragraph (2); and
       ``(C) for a foreign national to, directly or indirectly, 
     make a donation, or make an express or implied promise to 
     make a donation, to an Inaugural Committee.
       ``(2) Conversion of donation to personal use.--For purposes 
     of paragraph (1)(B)(iii), a donation shall be considered to 
     be converted to personal use if any part of the donated 
     amount is used to fulfill a commitment, obligation, or 
     expense of a person that would exist irrespective of the 
     responsibilities of the Inaugural Committee under chapter 5 
     of title 36, United States Code.
       ``(3) No effect on disbursement of unused funds to 
     nonprofit organizations.--Nothing in this subsection may be 
     construed to prohibit an Inaugural Committee from disbursing 
     unused funds to an organization which is described in section 
     501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt 
     from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.
       ``(b) Limitation on Donations.--
       ``(1) In general.--It shall be unlawful for an individual 
     to make donations to an Inaugural Committee which, in the 
     aggregate, exceed $50,000.
       ``(2) Indexing.--At the beginning of each Presidential 
     election year (beginning with 2024), the amount described in 
     paragraph (1) shall be increased by the cumulative percent 
     difference determined in section 315(c)(1)(A) since the 
     previous Presidential election year. If any amount after such 
     increase is not a multiple of $1,000, such amount shall be 
     rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000.
       ``(c) Disclosure of Certain Donations and Disbursements.--
       ``(1) Donations over $1,000.--
       ``(A) In general.--An Inaugural Committee shall file with 
     the Commission a report disclosing any donation by an 
     individual to the committee in an amount of $1,000 or more 
     not later than 24 hours after the receipt of such donation.
       ``(B) Contents of report.--A report filed under 
     subparagraph (A) shall contain--
       ``(i) the amount of the donation;
       ``(ii) the date the donation is received; and
       ``(iii) the name and address of the individual making the 
     donation.
       ``(2) Final report.--Not later than the date that is 90 
     days after the date of the Presidential inaugural ceremony, 
     the Inaugural Committee shall file with the Commission a 
     report containing the following information:
       ``(A) For each donation of money or anything of value made 
     to the committee in an aggregate amount equal to or greater 
     than $200--
       ``(i) the amount of the donation;
       ``(ii) the date the donation is received; and
       ``(iii) the name and address of the individual making the 
     donation.
       ``(B) The total amount of all disbursements, and all 
     disbursements in the following categories:
       ``(i) Disbursements made to meet committee operating 
     expenses.
       ``(ii) Repayment of all loans.
       ``(iii) Donation refunds and other offsets to donations.
       ``(iv) Any other disbursements.
       ``(C) The name and address of each person--
       ``(i) to whom a disbursement in an aggregate amount or 
     value in excess of $200 is made by the committee to meet a 
     committee operating expense, together with date, amount, and 
     purpose of such operating expense;
       ``(ii) who receives a loan repayment from the committee, 
     together with the date and amount of such loan repayment;
       ``(iii) who receives a donation refund or other offset to 
     donations from the committee, together with the date and 
     amount of such disbursement; and
       ``(iv) to whom any other disbursement in an aggregate 
     amount or value in excess of $200 is made by the committee, 
     together with the date and amount of such disbursement.
       ``(d) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
       ``(1)(A) The term `donation' includes--
       ``(i) any gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of 
     money or anything of value made by any person to the 
     committee; or
       ``(ii) the payment by any person of compensation for the 
     personal services of another person which are rendered to the 
     committee without charge for any purpose.
       ``(B) The term `donation' does not include the value of 
     services provided without compensation by any individual who 
     volunteers on behalf of the committee.
       ``(2) The term `foreign national' has the meaning given 
     that term by section 319(b).
       ``(3) The term `Inaugural Committee' has the meaning given 
     that term by section 501 of title 36, United States Code.''.
       (b) Confirming Amendment Related to Reporting 
     Requirements.--Section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign 
     Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30104) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (h); and
       (2) by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection (h).
       (c) Conforming Amendment Related to Status of Committee.--
     Section 510 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``Sec. 510. Disclosure of and prohibition on certain 
       donations

       ``A committee shall not be considered to be the Inaugural 
     Committee for purposes of this chapter unless the committee 
     agrees to, and meets, the requirements of section 325 of the 
     Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.''.
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall 
     apply with respect to Inaugural Committees established under 
     chapter 5 of title 36, United States Code, for inaugurations 
     held in 2021 and any succeeding year.

                        Subtitle I--Severability

     SEC. 4801. SEVERABILITY.

       If any provision of this title or amendment made by this 
     title, or the application of a provision or amendment to any 
     person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the 
     remainder of this title and amendments made by this title, 
     and the application of the provisions and amendment to any 
     person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.

                 TITLE V--CAMPAIGN FINANCE EMPOWERMENT

       Subtitle A--Findings Relating to Citizens United Decision

Sec. 5001. Findings relating to Citizens United decision.

                  Subtitle B--Congressional Elections

Sec. 5100. Short title.

                 Part 1--My Voice Voucher Pilot Program

Sec. 5101. Establishment of pilot program.
Sec. 5102. Voucher program described.
Sec. 5103. Reports.
Sec. 5104. Definitions.

   Part 2--Small Dollar Financing of Congressional Election Campaigns

Sec. 5111. Benefits and eligibility requirements for candidates.

 ``TITLE V--SMALL DOLLAR FINANCING OF CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

                         ``Subtitle A--Benefits

``Sec. 501. Benefits for participating candidates.
``Sec. 502. Procedures for making payments.
``Sec. 503. Use of funds.
``Sec. 504. Qualified small dollar contributions described.

              ``Subtitle B--Eligibility and Certification

``Sec. 511. Eligibility.
``Sec. 512. Qualifying requirements.
``Sec. 513. Certification.

 ``Subtitle C--Requirements for Candidates Certified as Participating 
                               Candidates

``Sec. 521. Contribution and expenditure requirements.
``Sec. 522. Administration of campaign.
``Sec. 523. Preventing unnecessary spending of public funds.
``Sec. 524. Remitting unspent funds after election.

                  ``Subtitle D--Enhanced Match Support

``Sec. 531. Enhanced support for general election.
``Sec. 532. Eligibility.
``Sec. 533. Amount.
``Sec. 534. Waiver of authority to retain portion of unspent funds 
              after election.

                ``Subtitle E--Administrative Provisions

``Sec. 541. Freedom From Influence Fund.
``Sec. 542. Reviews and reports by Government Accountability Office.
``Sec. 543. Administration by Commission.
``Sec. 544. Violations and penalties.
``Sec. 545. Appeals process.
``Sec. 546. Indexing of amounts.
``Sec. 547. Election cycle defined.
Sec. 5112. Contributions and expenditures by multicandidate and 
              political party committees on behalf of participating 
              candidates.
Sec. 5113. Prohibiting use of contributions by participating candidates 
              for purposes other than campaign for election.
Sec. 5114. Effective date.

                   Subtitle C--Presidential Elections

Sec. 5200. Short title.

                       Part 1--Primary Elections

Sec. 5201. Increase in and modifications to matching payments.
Sec. 5202. Eligibility requirements for matching payments.
Sec. 5203. Repeal of expenditure limitations.
Sec. 5204. Period of availability of matching payments.
Sec. 5205. Examination and audits of matchable contributions.
Sec. 5206. Modification to limitation on contributions for Presidential 
              primary candidates.
Sec. 5207. Use of Freedom From Influence Fund as source of payments.

                       Part 2--General Elections

Sec. 5211. Modification of eligibility requirements for public 
              financing.
Sec. 5212. Repeal of expenditure limitations and use of qualified 
              campaign contributions.
Sec. 5213. Matching payments and other modifications to payment 
              amounts.
Sec. 5214. Increase in limit on coordinated party expenditures.
Sec. 5215. Establishment of uniform date for release of payments.
Sec. 5216. Amounts in Presidential Election Campaign Fund.

[[Page H2454]]

Sec. 5217. Use of general election payments for general election legal 
              and accounting compliance.
Sec. 5218. Use of Freedom From Influence Fund as source of payments.

                         Part 3--Effective Date

Sec. 5221. Effective date.

 Subtitle D--Personal Use Services as Authorized Campaign Expenditures

Sec. 5301. Short title; findings; purpose.
Sec. 5302. Treatment of payments for child care and other personal use 
              services as authorized campaign expenditure.

                        Subtitle E--Severability

Sec. 5401. Severability.

       Subtitle A--Findings Relating to Citizens United Decision

     SEC. 5001. FINDINGS RELATING TO CITIZENS UNITED DECISION.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) The American Republic was founded on the principle that 
     all people are created equal, with rights and 
     responsibilities as citizens to vote, be represented, speak, 
     debate, and participate in self-government on equal terms 
     regardless of wealth. To secure these rights and 
     responsibilities, our Constitution not only protects the 
     equal rights of all Americans but also provides checks and 
     balances to prevent corruption and prevent concentrated power 
     and wealth from undermining effective self-government.
       (2) The Supreme Court's decisions in Citizens United v. 
     Federal Election Commission, 558 U.S. 310 (2010) and 
     McCutcheon v. FEC, 572 U.S. 185 (2014), as well as other 
     court decisions, erroneously invalidated even-handed rules 
     about the spending of money in local, State, and Federal 
     elections. These flawed decisions have empowered large 
     corporations, extremely wealthy individuals, and special 
     interests to dominate election spending, corrupt our 
     politics, and degrade our democracy through tidal waves of 
     unlimited and anonymous spending. These decisions also stand 
     in contrast to a long history of efforts by Congress and the 
     States to regulate money in politics to protect democracy, 
     and they illustrate a troubling deregulatory trend in 
     campaign finance-related court decisions. Additionally, an 
     unknown amount of foreign money continues to be spent in our 
     political system as subsidiaries of foreign-based 
     corporations and hostile foreign actors sometimes connected 
     to nation-States work to influence our elections.
       (3) The Supreme Court's misinterpretation of the 
     Constitution to empower monied interests at the expense of 
     the American people in elections has seriously eroded over 
     100 years of congressional action to promote fairness and 
     protect elections from the toxic influence of money.
       (4) In 1907, Congress passed the Tillman Act in response to 
     the concentration of corporate power in the post-Civil War 
     Gilded Age. The Act prohibited corporations from making 
     contributions in connection with Federal elections, aiming 
     ``not merely to prevent the subversion of the integrity of 
     the electoral process [but] . . . to sustain the active, 
     alert responsibility of the individual citizen in a democracy 
     for the wise conduct of government''.
       (5) By 1910, Congress began passing disclosure requirements 
     and campaign expenditure limits, and dozens of States passed 
     corrupt practices Acts to prohibit corporate spending in 
     elections. States also enacted campaign spending limits, and 
     some States limited the amount that people could contribute 
     to campaigns.
       (6) In 1947, the Taft-Hartley Act prohibited corporations 
     and unions from making campaign contributions or other 
     expenditures to influence elections. In 1962, a Presidential 
     commission on election spending recommended spending limits 
     and incentives to increase small contributions from more 
     people.
       (7) The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA), as 
     amended in 1974, required disclosure of contributions and 
     expenditures, imposed contribution and expenditure limits for 
     individuals and groups, set spending limits for campaigns, 
     candidates, and groups, implemented a public funding system 
     for Presidential campaigns, and created the Federal Election 
     Commission to oversee and enforce the new rules.
       (8) In the wake of Citizens United and other damaging 
     Federal court decisions, Americans have witnessed an 
     explosion of outside spending in elections. Outside spending 
     increased nearly 900 percent between the 2008 and 2016 
     Presidential election years. Indeed, the 2018 elections once 
     again made clear the overwhelming political power of wealthy 
     special interests, to the tune of over $5,000,000,000. And as 
     political entities adapt to a post- Citizens United, post-
     McCutcheon landscape, these trends are getting worse, as 
     evidenced by the experience in the 2018 midterm congressional 
     elections, where outside spending more than doubled from the 
     previous midterm cycle.
       (9) The torrent of money flowing into our political system 
     has a profound effect on the democratic process for everyday 
     Americans, whose voices and policy preferences are 
     increasingly being drowned out by those of wealthy special 
     interests. The more campaign cash from wealthy special 
     interests can flood our elections, the more policies that 
     favor those interests are reflected in the national political 
     agenda. When it comes to policy preferences, our Nation's 
     wealthiest tend to have fundamentally different views than do 
     average Americans when it comes to issues ranging from 
     unemployment benefits to the minimum wage to health care 
     coverage.
       (10) The Court has tied the hands of Congress and the 
     States, severely restricting them from setting reasonable 
     limits on campaign spending. For example, the Court has held 
     that only the Government's interest in preventing quid pro 
     quo corruption, like bribery, or the appearance of such 
     corruption, can justify limits on campaign contributions. 
     More broadly, the Court has severely curtailed attempts to 
     reduce the ability of the Nation's wealthiest and most 
     powerful to skew our democracy in their favor by buying 
     outsized influence in our elections. Because this distortion 
     of the Constitution has prevented truly meaningful regulation 
     or reform of the way we finance elections in America, a 
     constitutional amendment is needed to achieve a democracy for 
     all the people.
       (11) Since the landmark Citizens United decision, 19 States 
     and nearly 800 municipalities, including large cities like 
     New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia, have gone 
     on record supporting a constitutional amendment. Transcending 
     political leanings and geographic location, voters in States 
     and municipalities across the country that have placed 
     amendment questions on the ballot have routinely supported 
     these initiatives by considerably large margins.
       (12) At the same time millions of Americans have signed 
     petitions, marched, called their Members of Congress, written 
     letters to the editor, and otherwise demonstrated their 
     public support for a constitutional amendment to overturn 
     Citizens United that will allow Congress to reign in the 
     outsized influence of unchecked money in politics. Dozens of 
     organizations, representing tens of millions of individuals, 
     have come together in a shared strategy of supporting such an 
     amendment.
       (13) In order to protect the integrity of democracy and the 
     electoral process and to ensure political equality for all, 
     the Constitution should be amended so that Congress and the 
     States may regulate and set limits on the raising and 
     spending of money to influence elections and may distinguish 
     between natural persons and artificial entities, like 
     corporations, that are created by law, including by 
     prohibiting such artificial entities from spending money to 
     influence elections.

                  Subtitle B--Congressional Elections

     SEC. 5100. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Government By the 
     People Act of 2019''.

                 PART 1--MY VOICE VOUCHER PILOT PROGRAM

     SEC. 5101. ESTABLISHMENT OF PILOT PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment.--The Federal Election Commission 
     (hereafter in this part referred to as the ``Commission'') 
     shall establish a pilot program under which the Commission 
     shall select 3 eligible States to operate a voucher pilot 
     program which is described in section 5102 during the program 
     operation period.
       (b) Eligibility of States.--A State is eligible to be 
     selected to operate a voucher pilot program under this part 
     if, not later than 180 days after the beginning of the 
     program application period, the State submits to the 
     Commission an application containing--
       (1) information and assurances that the State will operate 
     a voucher program which contains the elements described in 
     section 5102(a);
       (2) information and assurances that the State will 
     establish fraud prevention mechanisms described in section 
     5102(b);
       (3) information and assurances that the State will 
     establish a commission to oversee and implement the program 
     as described in section 5102(c);
       (4) information and assurances that the State will carry 
     out a public information campaign as described in section 
     5102(d);
       (5) information and assurances that the State will submit 
     reports as required under section 5103; and
       (6) such other information and assurances as the Commission 
     may require.
       (c) Selection of Participating States.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the beginning 
     of the program application period, the Commission shall 
     select the 3 States which will operate voucher pilot programs 
     under this part.
       (2) Criteria.--In selecting States for the operation of the 
     voucher pilot programs under this part, the Commission shall 
     apply such criteria and metrics as the Commission considers 
     appropriate to determine the ability of a State to operate 
     the program successfully, and shall attempt to select States 
     in a variety of geographic regions and with a variety of 
     political party preferences.
       (3) No supermajority required for selection.--The selection 
     of States by the Commission under this subsection shall 
     require the approval of only half of the Members of the 
     Commission.
       (d) Duties of States During Program Preparation Period.--
     During the program preparation period, each State selected to 
     operate a voucher pilot program under this part shall take 
     such actions as may be necessary to ensure that the State 
     will be ready to operate the program during the program 
     operation period, and shall complete such actions not later 
     than 90 days before the beginning of the program operation 
     period.
       (e) Termination.--Each voucher pilot program under this 
     part shall terminate as of

[[Page H2455]]

     the first day after the program operation period.
       (f) Reimbursement of Costs.--
       (1) Reimbursement.--Upon receiving the report submitted by 
     a State under section 5103(a) with respect to an election 
     cycle, the Commission shall transmit a payment to the State 
     in an amount equal to the reasonable costs incurred by the 
     State in operating the voucher pilot program under this part 
     during the cycle.
       (2) Source of funds.--Payments to States under the program 
     shall be made using amounts in the Freedom From Influence 
     Fund under section 541 of the Federal Election Campaign Act 
     of 1971 (as added by section 5111), hereafter referred to as 
     the ``Fund''.
       (3) Mandatory reduction of payments in case of insufficient 
     amounts in freedom from influence fund.--
       (A) Advance audits by commission.--Not later than 90 days 
     before the first day of each program operation period, the 
     Commission shall--
       (i) audit the Fund to determine whether, after first making 
     payments to participating candidates under title V of the 
     Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (as added by section 
     5111), the amounts remaining in the Fund will be sufficient 
     to make payments to States under this part in the amounts 
     provided under this subsection; and
       (ii) submit a report to Congress describing the results of 
     the audit.
       (B) Reductions in amount of payments.--
       (i) Automatic reduction on pro rata basis.--If, on the 
     basis of the audit described in subparagraph (A), the 
     Commission determines that the amount anticipated to be 
     available in the Fund with respect to an election cycle 
     involved is not, or may not be, sufficient to make payments 
     to States under this part in the full amount provided under 
     this subsection, the Commission shall reduce each amount 
     which would otherwise be paid to a State under this 
     subsection by such pro rata amount as may be necessary to 
     ensure that the aggregate amount of payments anticipated to 
     be made with respect to the cycle will not exceed the amount 
     anticipated to be available for such payments in the Fund 
     with respect to such cycle.
       (ii) Restoration of reductions in case of availability of 
     sufficient funds during election cycle.--If, after reducing 
     the amounts paid to States with respect to an election cycle 
     under clause (i), the Commission determines that there are 
     sufficient amounts in the Fund to restore the amount by which 
     such payments were reduced (or any portion thereof), to the 
     extent that such amounts are available, the Commission may 
     make a payment on a pro rata basis to each such State with 
     respect to the cycle in the amount by which such State's 
     payments were reduced under clause (i) (or any portion 
     thereof, as the case may be).
       (iii) No use of amounts from other sources.--In any case in 
     which the Commission determines that there are insufficient 
     moneys in the Fund to make payments to States under this 
     part, moneys shall not be made available from any other 
     source for the purpose of making such payments.
       (4) Cap on amount of payment.--The aggregate amount of 
     payments made to any State with respect to any program 
     operation period may not exceed $10,000,000. If the State 
     determines that the maximum payment amount under this 
     paragraph with respect to the program operation period 
     involved is not, or may not be, sufficient to cover the 
     reasonable costs incurred by the State in operating the 
     program under this part for such period, the State shall 
     reduce the amount of the voucher provided to each qualified 
     individual by such pro rata amount as may be necessary to 
     ensure that the reasonable costs incurred by the State in 
     operating the program will not exceed the amount paid to the 
     State with respect to such period.

     SEC. 5102. VOUCHER PROGRAM DESCRIBED.

       (a) General Elements of Program.--
       (1) Elements described.--The elements of a voucher pilot 
     program operated by a State under this part are as follows:
       (A) The State shall provide each qualified individual upon 
     the individual's request with a voucher worth $25 to be known 
     as a ``My Voice Voucher'' during the election cycle which 
     will be assigned a routing number and which at the option of 
     the individual will be provided in either paper or electronic 
     form.
       (B) Using the routing number assigned to the My Voice 
     Voucher, the individual may submit the My Voice Voucher in 
     either electronic or paper form to qualified candidates for 
     election for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or 
     Resident Commissioner to, the Congress and allocate such 
     portion of the value of the My Voice Voucher in increments of 
     $5 as the individual may select to any such candidate.
       (C) If the candidate transmits the My Voice Voucher to the 
     Commission, the Commission shall pay the candidate the 
     portion of the value of the My Voice Voucher that the 
     individual allocated to the candidate, which shall be 
     considered a contribution by the individual to the candidate 
     for purposes of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
       (2) Designation of qualified individuals.--For purposes of 
     paragraph (1)(A), a ``qualified individual'' with respect to 
     a State means an individual--
       (A) who is a resident of the State;
       (B) who will be of voting age as of the date of the 
     election for the candidate to whom the individual submits a 
     My Voice Voucher; and
       (C) who is not prohibited under Federal law from making 
     contributions to candidates for election for Federal office.
       (3) Treatment as contribution to candidate.--For purposes 
     of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, the submission 
     of a My Voice Voucher to a candidate by an individual shall 
     be treated as a contribution to the candidate by the 
     individual in the amount of the portion of the value of the 
     Voucher that the individual allocated to the candidate.
       (b) Fraud Prevention Mechanism.--In addition to the 
     elements described in subsection (a), a State operating a 
     voucher pilot program under this part shall permit an 
     individual to revoke a My Voice Voucher not later than 2 days 
     after submitting the My Voice Voucher to a candidate.
       (c) Oversight Commission.--In addition to the elements 
     described in subsection (a), a State operating a voucher 
     pilot program under this part shall establish a commission or 
     designate an existing entity to oversee and implement the 
     program in the State, except that no such commission or 
     entity may be comprised of elected officials.
       (d) Public Information Campaign.--In addition to the 
     elements described in subsection (a), a State operating a 
     voucher pilot program under this part shall carry out a 
     public information campaign to disseminate awareness of the 
     program among qualified individuals.

     SEC. 5103. REPORTS.

       (a) Preliminary Report.--Not later than 6 months after the 
     first election cycle of the program operation period, a State 
     which operates a voucher pilot program under this part shall 
     submit a report to the Commission analyzing the operation and 
     effectiveness of the program during the cycle and including 
     such other information as the Commission may require.
       (b) Final Report.--Not later than 6 months after the end of 
     the program operation period, the State shall submit a final 
     report to the Commission analyzing the operation and 
     effectiveness of the program and including such other 
     information as the Commission may require.
       (c) Report by Commission.--Not later than the end of the 
     first election cycle which begins after the program operation 
     period, the Commission shall submit a report to Congress 
     which summarizes and analyzes the results of the voucher 
     pilot program, and shall include in the report such 
     recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate 
     regarding the expansion of the pilot program to all States 
     and territories, along with such other recommendations and 
     other information as the Commission considers appropriate.

     SEC. 5104. DEFINITIONS.

       (a) Election Cycle.--In this part, the term ``election 
     cycle'' means the period beginning on the day after the date 
     of the most recent regularly scheduled general election for 
     Federal office and ending on the date of the next regularly 
     scheduled general election for Federal office.
       (b) Definitions Relating to Periods.--In this part, the 
     following definitions apply:
       (1) Program application period.--The term ``program 
     application period'' means the first election cycle which 
     begins after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (2) Program preparation period.--The term ``program 
     preparation period'' means the first election cycle which 
     begins after the program application period.
       (3) Program operation period.--The term ``program operation 
     period'' means the first 2 election cycles which begin after 
     the program preparation period.

   PART 2--SMALL DOLLAR FINANCING OF CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

     SEC. 5111. BENEFITS AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR 
                   CANDIDATES.

       The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 
     et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 ``TITLE V--SMALL DOLLAR FINANCING OF CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

                         ``Subtitle A--Benefits

     ``SEC. 501. BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPATING CANDIDATES.

       ``(a) In General.--If a candidate for election to the 
     office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident 
     Commissioner to, the Congress is certified as a participating 
     candidate under this title with respect to an election for 
     such office, the candidate shall be entitled to payments as 
     provided under this title.
       ``(b) Amount of Payment.--The amount of a payment made 
     under this title shall be equal to 600 percent of the amount 
     of qualified small dollar contributions received by the 
     candidate since the most recent payment made to the candidate 
     under this title during the election cycle, without regard to 
     whether or not the candidate received any of the 
     contributions before, during, or after the Small Dollar 
     Democracy qualifying period applicable to the candidate under 
     section 511(c).
       ``(c) Limit on Aggregate Amount of Payments.--The aggregate 
     amount of payments made to a participating candidate with 
     respect to an election cycle under this title may not exceed 
     50 percent of the average of the 20 greatest amounts of 
     disbursements made by the authorized committees of any 
     winning candidate for the office of Representative in, or 
     Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress during the 
     most recent election cycle, rounded to the nearest $100,000.

[[Page H2456]]

  


     ``SEC. 502. PROCEDURES FOR MAKING PAYMENTS.

       ``(a) In General.--The Commission shall make a payment 
     under section 501 to a candidate who is certified as a 
     participating candidate upon receipt from the candidate of a 
     request for a payment which includes--
       ``(1) a statement of the number and amount of qualified 
     small dollar contributions received by the candidate since 
     the most recent payment made to the candidate under this 
     title during the election cycle;
       ``(2) a statement of the amount of the payment the 
     candidate anticipates receiving with respect to the request;
       ``(3) a statement of the total amount of payments the 
     candidate has received under this title as of the date of the 
     statement; and
       ``(4) such other information and assurances as the 
     Commission may require.
       ``(b) Restrictions on Submission of Requests.--A candidate 
     may not submit a request under subsection (a) unless each of 
     the following applies:
       ``(1) The amount of the qualified small dollar 
     contributions in the statement referred to in subsection 
     (a)(1) is equal to or greater than $5,000, unless the request 
     is submitted during the 30-day period which ends on the date 
     of a general election.
       ``(2) The candidate did not receive a payment under this 
     title during the 7-day period which ends on the date the 
     candidate submits the request.
       ``(c) Time of Payment.--The Commission shall, in 
     coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, take such 
     steps as may be necessary to ensure that the Secretary is 
     able to make payments under this section from the Treasury 
     not later than 2 business days after the receipt of a request 
     submitted under subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 503. USE OF FUNDS.

       ``(a) Use of Funds for Authorized Campaign Expenditures.--A 
     candidate shall use payments made under this title, including 
     payments provided with respect to a previous election cycle 
     which are withheld from remittance to the Commission in 
     accordance with section 524(a)(2), only for making direct 
     payments for the receipt of goods and services which 
     constitute authorized expenditures (as determined in 
     accordance with title III) in connection with the election 
     cycle involved.
       ``(b) Prohibiting Use of Funds for Legal Expenses, Fines, 
     or Penalties.--Notwithstanding title III, a candidate may not 
     use payments made under this title for the payment of 
     expenses incurred in connection with any action, claim, or 
     other matter before the Commission or before any court, 
     hearing officer, arbitrator, or other dispute resolution 
     entity, or for the payment of any fine or civil monetary 
     penalty.

     ``SEC. 504. QUALIFIED SMALL DOLLAR CONTRIBUTIONS DESCRIBED.

       ``(a) In General.--In this title, the term `qualified small 
     dollar contribution' means, with respect to a candidate and 
     the authorized committees of a candidate, a contribution that 
     meets the following requirements:
       ``(1) The contribution is in an amount that is--
       ``(A) not less than $1; and
       ``(B) not more than $200.
       ``(2)(A) The contribution is made directly by an individual 
     to the candidate or an authorized committee of the candidate 
     and is not--
       ``(i) forwarded from the individual making the contribution 
     to the candidate or committee by another person; or
       ``(ii) received by the candidate or committee with the 
     knowledge that the contribution was made at the request, 
     suggestion, or recommendation of another person.
       ``(B) In this paragraph--
       ``(i) the term `person' does not include an individual 
     (other than an individual described in section 304(i)(7) of 
     the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971), a political 
     committee of a political party, or any political committee 
     which is not a separate segregated fund described in section 
     316(b) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 and which 
     does not make contributions or independent expenditures, does 
     not engage in lobbying activity under the Lobbying Disclosure 
     Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and is not established 
     by, controlled by, or affiliated with a registered lobbyist 
     under such Act, an agent of a registered lobbyist under such 
     Act, or an organization which retains or employs a registered 
     lobbyist under such Act; and
       ``(ii) a contribution is not `made at the request, 
     suggestion, or recommendation of another person' solely on 
     the grounds that the contribution is made in response to 
     information provided to the individual making the 
     contribution by any person, so long as the candidate or 
     authorized committee does not know the identity of the person 
     who provided the information to such individual.
       ``(3) The individual who makes the contribution does not 
     make contributions to the candidate or the authorized 
     committees of the candidate with respect to the election 
     involved in an aggregate amount that exceeds the amount 
     described in paragraph (1)(B), or any contribution to the 
     candidate or the authorized committees of the candidate with 
     respect to the election involved that otherwise is not a 
     qualified small dollar contribution.
       ``(b) Treatment of My Voice Vouchers.--Any payment received 
     by a candidate and the authorized committees of a candidate 
     which consists of a My Voice Voucher under the Government By 
     the People Act of 2019 shall be considered a qualified small 
     dollar contribution for purposes of this title, so long as 
     the individual making the payment meets the requirements of 
     paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a).
       ``(c) Restriction on Subsequent Contributions.--
       ``(1) Prohibiting donor from making subsequent nonqualified 
     contributions during election cycle.--
       ``(A) In general.--An individual who makes a qualified 
     small dollar contribution to a candidate or the authorized 
     committees of a candidate with respect to an election may not 
     make any subsequent contribution to such candidate or the 
     authorized committees of such candidate with respect to the 
     election cycle which is not a qualified small dollar 
     contribution.
       ``(B) Exception for contributions to candidates who 
     voluntarily withdraw from participation during qualifying 
     period.--Subparagraph (A) does not apply with respect to a 
     contribution made to a candidate who, during the Small Dollar 
     Democracy qualifying period described in section 511(c), 
     submits a statement to the Commission under section 513(c) to 
     voluntarily withdraw from participating in the program under 
     this title.
       ``(2) Treatment of subsequent nonqualified contributions.--
     If, notwithstanding the prohibition described in paragraph 
     (1), an individual who makes a qualified small dollar 
     contribution to a candidate or the authorized committees of a 
     candidate with respect to an election makes a subsequent 
     contribution to such candidate or the authorized committees 
     of such candidate with respect to the election which is 
     prohibited under paragraph (1) because it is not a qualified 
     small dollar contribution, the candidate may take one of the 
     following actions:
       ``(A) Not later than 2 weeks after receiving the 
     contribution, the candidate may return the subsequent 
     contribution to the individual. In the case of a subsequent 
     contribution which is not a qualified small dollar 
     contribution because the contribution fails to meet the 
     requirements of paragraph (3) of subsection (a) (relating to 
     the aggregate amount of contributions made to the candidate 
     or the authorized committees of the candidate by the 
     individual making the contribution), the candidate may return 
     an amount equal to the difference between the amount of the 
     subsequent contribution and the amount described in paragraph 
     (1)(B) of subsection (a).
       ``(B) The candidate may retain the subsequent contribution, 
     so long as not later than 2 weeks after receiving the 
     subsequent contribution, the candidate remits to the 
     Commission for deposit in the Freedom From Influence Fund 
     under section 541 an amount equal to any payments received by 
     the candidate under this title which are attributable to the 
     qualified small dollar contribution made by the individual 
     involved.
       ``(3) No effect on ability to make multiple 
     contributions.--Nothing in this section may be construed to 
     prohibit an individual from making multiple qualified small 
     dollar contributions to any candidate or any number of 
     candidates, so long as each contribution meets each of the 
     requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection 
     (a).
       ``(d) Notification Requirements for Candidates.--
       ``(1) Notification.--Each authorized committee of a 
     candidate who seeks to be a participating candidate under 
     this title shall provide the following information in any 
     materials for the solicitation of contributions, including 
     any internet site through which individuals may make 
     contributions to the committee:
       ``(A) A statement that if the candidate is certified as a 
     participating candidate under this title, the candidate will 
     receive matching payments in an amount which is based on the 
     total amount of qualified small dollar contributions 
     received.
       ``(B) A statement that a contribution which meets the 
     requirements set forth in subsection (a) shall be treated as 
     a qualified small dollar contribution under this title.
       ``(C) A statement that if a contribution is treated as 
     qualified small dollar contribution under this title, the 
     individual who makes the contribution may not make any 
     contribution to the candidate or the authorized committees of 
     the candidate during the election cycle which is not a 
     qualified small dollar contribution.
       ``(2) Alternative methods of meeting requirements.--An 
     authorized committee may meet the requirements of paragraph 
     (1)--
       ``(A) by including the information described in paragraph 
     (1) in the receipt provided under section 512(b)(3) to a 
     person making a qualified small dollar contribution; or
       ``(B) by modifying the information it provides to persons 
     making contributions which is otherwise required under title 
     III (including information it provides through the internet).

              ``Subtitle B--Eligibility and Certification

     ``SEC. 511. ELIGIBILITY.

       ``(a) In General.--A candidate for the office of 
     Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, 
     the Congress is eligible to be certified as a participating 
     candidate under this title with respect to an election if the 
     candidate meets the following requirements:
       ``(1) The candidate files with the Commission a statement 
     of intent to seek certification as a participating candidate.
       ``(2) The candidate meets the qualifying requirements of 
     section 512.

[[Page H2457]]

       ``(3) The candidate files with the Commission a statement 
     certifying that the authorized committees of the candidate 
     meet the requirements of section 504(d).
       ``(4) Not later than the last day of the Small Dollar 
     Democracy qualifying period, the candidate files with the 
     Commission an affidavit signed by the candidate and the 
     treasurer of the candidate's principal campaign committee 
     declaring that the candidate--
       ``(A) has complied and, if certified, will comply with the 
     contribution and expenditure requirements of section 521;
       ``(B) if certified, will run only as a participating 
     candidate for all elections for the office that such 
     candidate is seeking during that election cycle; and
       ``(C) has either qualified or will take steps to qualify 
     under State law to be on the ballot.
       ``(b) General Election.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), a 
     candidate shall not be eligible to be certified as a 
     participating candidate under this title for a general 
     election or a general runoff election unless the candidate's 
     party nominated the candidate to be placed on the ballot for 
     the general election or the candidate is otherwise qualified 
     to be on the ballot under State law.
       ``(c) Small Dollar Democracy Qualifying Period Defined.--
     The term `Small Dollar Democracy qualifying period' means, 
     with respect to any candidate for an office, the 180-day 
     period (during the election cycle for such office) which 
     begins on the date on which the candidate files a statement 
     of intent under section 511(a)(1), except that such period 
     may not continue after the date that is 30 days before the 
     date of the general election for the office.

     ``SEC. 512. QUALIFYING REQUIREMENTS.

       ``(a) Receipt of Qualified Small Dollar Contributions.--A 
     candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or 
     Resident Commissioner to, the Congress meets the requirement 
     of this section if, during the Small Dollar Democracy 
     qualifying period described in section 511(c), each of the 
     following occurs:
       ``(1) Not fewer than 1,000 individuals make a qualified 
     small dollar contribution to the candidate.
       ``(2) The candidate obtains a total dollar amount of 
     qualified small dollar contributions which is equal to or 
     greater than $50,000.
       ``(b) Requirements Relating to Receipt of Qualified Small 
     Dollar Contribution.--Each qualified small dollar 
     contribution--
       ``(1) may be made by means of a personal check, money 
     order, debit card, credit card, electronic payment account, 
     or any other method deemed appropriate by the Commission;
       ``(2) shall be accompanied by a signed statement (or, in 
     the case of a contribution made online or through other 
     electronic means, an electronic equivalent) containing the 
     contributor's name and address; and
       ``(3) shall be acknowledged by a receipt that is sent to 
     the contributor with a copy (in paper or electronic form) 
     kept by the candidate for the Commission.
       ``(c) Verification of Contributions.--The Commission shall 
     establish procedures for the auditing and verification of the 
     contributions received and expenditures made by participating 
     candidates under this title, including procedures for random 
     audits, to ensure that such contributions and expenditures 
     meet the requirements of this title.

     ``SEC. 513. CERTIFICATION.

       ``(a) Deadline and Notification.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 5 business days after a 
     candidate files an affidavit under section 511(a)(4), the 
     Commission shall--
       ``(A) determine whether or not the candidate meets the 
     requirements for certification as a participating candidate;
       ``(B) if the Commission determines that the candidate meets 
     such requirements, certify the candidate as a participating 
     candidate; and
       ``(C) notify the candidate of the Commission's 
     determination.
       ``(2) Deemed certification for all elections in election 
     cycle.--If the Commission certifies a candidate as a 
     participating candidate with respect to the first election of 
     the election cycle involved, the Commission shall be deemed 
     to have certified the candidate as a participating candidate 
     with respect to all subsequent elections of the election 
     cycle.
       ``(b) Revocation of Certification.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall revoke a 
     certification under subsection (a) if--
       ``(A) a candidate fails to qualify to appear on the ballot 
     at any time after the date of certification (other than a 
     candidate certified as a participating candidate with respect 
     to a primary election who fails to qualify to appear on the 
     ballot for a subsequent election in that election cycle);
       ``(B) a candidate ceases to be a candidate for the office 
     involved, as determined on the basis of an official 
     announcement by an authorized committee of the candidate or 
     on the basis of a reasonable determination by the Commission; 
     or
       ``(C) a candidate otherwise fails to comply with the 
     requirements of this title, including any regulatory 
     requirements prescribed by the Commission.
       ``(2) Existence of criminal sanction.--The Commission shall 
     revoke a certification under subsection (a) if a penalty is 
     assessed against the candidate under section 309(d) with 
     respect to the election.
       ``(3) Effect of revocation.--If a candidate's certification 
     is revoked under this subsection--
       ``(A) the candidate may not receive payments under this 
     title during the remainder of the election cycle involved; 
     and
       ``(B) in the case of a candidate whose certification is 
     revoked pursuant to subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (C) of 
     paragraph (1)--
       ``(i) the candidate shall repay to the Freedom From 
     Influence Fund established under section 541 an amount equal 
     to the payments received under this title with respect to the 
     election cycle involved plus interest (at a rate determined 
     by the Commission on the basis of an appropriate annual 
     percentage rate for the month involved) on any such amount 
     received; and
       ``(ii) the candidate may not be certified as a 
     participating candidate under this title with respect to the 
     next election cycle.
       ``(4) Prohibiting participation in future elections for 
     candidates with multiple revocations.--If the Commission 
     revokes the certification of an individual as a participating 
     candidate under this title pursuant to subparagraph (A) or 
     subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) a total of 3 times, the 
     individual may not be certified as a participating candidate 
     under this title with respect to any subsequent election.
       ``(c) Voluntary Withdrawal From Participating During 
     Qualifying Period.--At any time during the Small Dollar 
     Democracy qualifying period described in section 511(c), a 
     candidate may withdraw from participation in the program 
     under this title by submitting to the Commission a statement 
     of withdrawal (without regard to whether or not the 
     Commission has certified the candidate as a participating 
     candidate under this title as of the time the candidate 
     submits such statement), so long as the candidate has not 
     submitted a request for payment under section 502.
       ``(d) Participating Candidate Defined.--In this title, a 
     `participating candidate' means a candidate for the office of 
     Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, 
     the Congress who is certified under this section as eligible 
     to receive benefits under this title.

 ``Subtitle C--Requirements for Candidates Certified as Participating 
                               Candidates

     ``SEC. 521. CONTRIBUTION AND EXPENDITURE REQUIREMENTS.

       ``(a) Permitted Sources of Contributions and 
     Expenditures.--Except as provided in subsection (c), a 
     participating candidate with respect to an election shall, 
     with respect to all elections occurring during the election 
     cycle for the office involved, accept no contributions from 
     any source and make no expenditures from any amounts, other 
     than the following:
       ``(1) Qualified small dollar contributions.
       ``(2) Payments under this title.
       ``(3) Contributions from political committees established 
     and maintained by a national or State political party, 
     subject to the applicable limitations of section 315.
       ``(4) Subject to subsection (b), personal funds of the 
     candidate or of any immediate family member of the candidate 
     (other than funds received through qualified small dollar 
     contributions).
       ``(5) Contributions from individuals who are otherwise 
     permitted to make contributions under this Act, subject to 
     the applicable limitations of section 315, except that the 
     aggregate amount of contributions a participating candidate 
     may accept from any individual with respect to any election 
     during the election cycle may not exceed $1,000.
       ``(6) Contributions from multicandidate political 
     committees, subject to the applicable limitations of section 
     315.
       ``(b) Special Rules for Personal Funds.--
       ``(1) Limit on amount.--A candidate who is certified as a 
     participating candidate may use personal funds (including 
     personal funds of any immediate family member of the 
     candidate) so long as--
       ``(A) the aggregate amount used with respect to the 
     election cycle (including any period of the cycle occurring 
     prior to the candidate's certification as a participating 
     candidate) does not exceed $50,000; and
       ``(B) the funds are used only for making direct payments 
     for the receipt of goods and services which constitute 
     authorized expenditures in connection with the election cycle 
     involved.
       ``(2) Immediate family member defined.--In this subsection, 
     the term `immediate family member' means, with respect to a 
     candidate--
       ``(A) the candidate's spouse;
       ``(B) a child, stepchild, parent, grandparent, brother, 
     half-brother, sister, or half-sister of the candidate or the 
     candidate's spouse; and
       ``(C) the spouse of any person described in subparagraph 
     (B).
       ``(c) Exceptions.--
       ``(1) Exception for contributions received prior to filing 
     of statement of intent.--A candidate who has accepted 
     contributions that are not described in subsection (a) is not 
     in violation of subsection (a), but only if all such 
     contributions are--
       ``(A) returned to the contributor;
       ``(B) submitted to the Commission for deposit in the 
     Freedom From Influence Fund established under section 541; or
       ``(C) spent in accordance with paragraph (2).
       ``(2) Exception for expenditures made prior to filing of 
     statement of intent.--If

[[Page H2458]]

     a candidate has made expenditures prior to the date the 
     candidate files a statement of intent under section 511(a)(1) 
     that the candidate is prohibited from making under subsection 
     (a) or subsection (b), the candidate is not in violation of 
     such subsection if the aggregate amount of the prohibited 
     expenditures is less than the amount referred to in section 
     512(a)(2) (relating to the total dollar amount of qualified 
     small dollar contributions which the candidate is required to 
     obtain) which is applicable to the candidate.
       ``(3) Exception for campaign surpluses from a previous 
     election.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), unexpended 
     contributions received by the candidate or an authorized 
     committee of the candidate with respect to a previous 
     election may be retained, but only if the candidate places 
     the funds in escrow and refrains from raising additional 
     funds for or spending funds from that account during the 
     election cycle in which a candidate is a participating 
     candidate.
       ``(4) Exception for contributions received before the 
     effective date of this title.--Contributions received and 
     expenditures made by the candidate or an authorized committee 
     of the candidate prior to the effective date of this title 
     shall not constitute a violation of subsection (a) or (b). 
     Unexpended contributions shall be treated the same as 
     campaign surpluses under paragraph (3), and expenditures made 
     shall count against the limit in paragraph (2).
       ``(d) Special Rule for Coordinated Party Expenditures.--For 
     purposes of this section, a payment made by a political party 
     in coordination with a participating candidate shall not be 
     treated as a contribution to or as an expenditure made by the 
     participating candidate.
       ``(e) Prohibition on Joint Fundraising Committees.--
       ``(1) Prohibition.--An authorized committee of a candidate 
     who is certified as a participating candidate under this 
     title with respect to an election may not establish a joint 
     fundraising committee with a political committee other than 
     another authorized committee of the candidate.
       ``(2) Status of existing committees for prior elections.--
     If a candidate established a joint fundraising committee 
     described in paragraph (1) with respect to a prior election 
     for which the candidate was not certified as a participating 
     candidate under this title and the candidate does not 
     terminate the committee, the candidate shall not be 
     considered to be in violation of paragraph (1) so long as 
     that joint fundraising committee does not receive any 
     contributions or make any disbursements during the election 
     cycle for which the candidate is certified as a participating 
     candidate under this title.
       ``(f) Prohibition on Leadership PACs.--
       ``(1) Prohibition.--A candidate who is certified as a 
     participating candidate under this title with respect to an 
     election may not associate with, establish, finance, 
     maintain, or control a leadership PAC.
       ``(2) Status of existing leadership pacs.--If a candidate 
     established, financed, maintained, or controlled a leadership 
     PAC prior to being certified as a participating candidate 
     under this title and the candidate does not terminate the 
     leadership PAC, the candidate shall not be considered to be 
     in violation of paragraph (1) so long as the leadership PAC 
     does not receive any contributions or make any disbursements 
     during the election cycle for which the candidate is 
     certified as a participating candidate under this title.
       ``(3) Leadership pac defined.--In this subsection, the term 
     `leadership PAC' has the meaning given such term in section 
     304(i)(8)(B).

     ``SEC. 522. ADMINISTRATION OF CAMPAIGN.

       ``(a) Separate Accounting for Various Permitted 
     Contributions.--Each authorized committee of a candidate 
     certified as a participating candidate under this title--
       ``(1) shall provide for separate accounting of each type of 
     contribution described in section 521(a) which is received by 
     the committee; and
       ``(2) shall provide for separate accounting for the 
     payments received under this title.
       ``(b) Enhanced Disclosure of Information on Donors.--
       ``(1) Mandatory identification of individuals making 
     qualified small dollar contributions.--Each authorized 
     committee of a participating candidate under this title shall 
     elect, in accordance with section 304(b)(3)(A), to include in 
     the reports the committee submits under section 304 the 
     identification of each person who makes a qualified small 
     dollar contribution to the committee.
       ``(2) Mandatory disclosure through internet.--Each 
     authorized committee of a participating candidate under this 
     title shall ensure that all information reported to the 
     Commission under this Act with respect to contributions and 
     expenditures of the committee is available to the public on 
     the internet (whether through a site established for purposes 
     of this subsection, a hyperlink on another public site of the 
     committee, or a hyperlink on a report filed electronically 
     with the Commission) in a searchable, sortable, and 
     downloadable manner.

     ``SEC. 523. PREVENTING UNNECESSARY SPENDING OF PUBLIC FUNDS.

       ``(a) Mandatory Spending of Available Private Funds.--An 
     authorized committee of a candidate certified as a 
     participating candidate under this title may not make any 
     expenditure of any payments received under this title in any 
     amount unless the committee has made an expenditure in an 
     equivalent amount of funds received by the committee which 
     are described in paragraphs (1), (3), (4), (5), and (6) of 
     section 521(a).
       ``(b) Limitation.--Subsection (a) applies to an authorized 
     committee only to the extent that the funds referred to in 
     such subsection are available to the committee at the time 
     the committee makes an expenditure of a payment received 
     under this title.

     ``SEC. 524. REMITTING UNSPENT FUNDS AFTER ELECTION.

       ``(a) Remittance Required.--Not later than the date that is 
     180 days after the last election for which a candidate 
     certified as a participating candidate qualifies to be on the 
     ballot during the election cycle involved, such participating 
     candidate shall remit to the Commission for deposit in the 
     Freedom From Influence Fund established under section 541 an 
     amount equal to the balance of the payments received under 
     this title by the authorized committees of the candidate 
     which remain unexpended as of such date.
       ``(b) Permitting Candidates Participating in Next Election 
     Cycle to Retain Portion of Unspent Funds.--Notwithstanding 
     subsection (a), a participating candidate may withhold not 
     more than $100,000 from the amount required to be remitted 
     under subsection (a) if the candidate files a signed 
     affidavit with the Commission that the candidate will seek 
     certification as a participating candidate with respect to 
     the next election cycle, except that the candidate may not 
     use any portion of the amount withheld until the candidate is 
     certified as a participating candidate with respect to that 
     next election cycle. If the candidate fails to seek 
     certification as a participating candidate prior to the last 
     day of the Small Dollar Democracy qualifying period for the 
     next election cycle (as described in section 511), or if the 
     Commission notifies the candidate of the Commission's 
     determination does not meet the requirements for 
     certification as a participating candidate with respect to 
     such cycle, the candidate shall immediately remit to the 
     Commission the amount withheld.

                  ``Subtitle D--Enhanced Match Support

     ``SEC. 531. ENHANCED SUPPORT FOR GENERAL ELECTION.

       ``(a) Availability of Enhanced Support.--In addition to the 
     payments made under subtitle A, the Commission shall make an 
     additional payment to an eligible candidate under this 
     subtitle.
       ``(b) Use of Funds.--A candidate shall use the additional 
     payment under this subtitle only for authorized expenditures 
     in connection with the election involved.

     ``SEC. 532. ELIGIBILITY.

       ``(a) In General.--A candidate is eligible to receive an 
     additional payment under this subtitle if the candidate meets 
     each of the following requirements:
       ``(1) The candidate is on the ballot for the general 
     election for the office the candidate seeks.
       ``(2) The candidate is certified as a participating 
     candidate under this title with respect to the election.
       ``(3) During the enhanced support qualifying period, the 
     candidate receives qualified small dollar contributions in a 
     total amount of not less than $50,000.
       ``(4) During the enhanced support qualifying period, the 
     candidate submits to the Commission a request for the payment 
     which includes--
       ``(A) a statement of the number and amount of qualified 
     small dollar contributions received by the candidate during 
     the enhanced support qualifying period;
       ``(B) a statement of the amount of the payment the 
     candidate anticipates receiving with respect to the request; 
     and
       ``(C) such other information and assurances as the 
     Commission may require.
       ``(5) After submitting a request for the additional payment 
     under paragraph (4), the candidate does not submit any other 
     application for an additional payment under this subtitle.
       ``(b) Enhanced Support Qualifying Period Described.--In 
     this subtitle, the term `enhanced support qualifying period' 
     means, with respect to a general election, the period which 
     begins 60 days before the date of the election and ends 14 
     days before the date of the election.

     ``SEC. 533. AMOUNT.

       ``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the amount of 
     the additional payment made to an eligible candidate under 
     this subtitle shall be an amount equal to 50 percent of--
       ``(1) the amount of the payment made to the candidate under 
     section 501(b) with respect to the qualified small dollar 
     contributions which are received by the candidate during the 
     enhanced support qualifying period (as included in the 
     request submitted by the candidate under section 532(a)(4)); 
     or
       ``(2) in the case of a candidate who is not eligible to 
     receive a payment under section 501(b) with respect to such 
     qualified small dollar contributions because the candidate 
     has reached the limit on the aggregate amount of payments 
     under subtitle A for the election cycle under section 501(c), 
     the amount of the payment which would have been made to the 
     candidate under section 501(b) with respect to such qualified 
     small dollar contributions if the candidate had not reached 
     such limit.
       ``(b) Limit.--The amount of the additional payment 
     determined under subsection (a) with respect to a candidate 
     may not exceed $500,000.

[[Page H2459]]

       ``(c) No Effect on Aggregate Limit.--The amount of the 
     additional payment made to a candidate under this subtitle 
     shall not be included in determining the aggregate amount of 
     payments made to a participating candidate with respect to an 
     election cycle under section 501(c).

     ``SEC. 534. WAIVER OF AUTHORITY TO RETAIN PORTION OF UNSPENT 
                   FUNDS AFTER ELECTION.

       ``Notwithstanding section 524(a)(2), a candidate who 
     receives an additional payment under this subtitle with 
     respect to an election is not permitted to withhold any 
     portion from the amount of unspent funds the candidate is 
     required to remit to the Commission under section 524(a)(1).

                ``Subtitle E--Administrative Provisions

     ``SEC. 541. FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND.

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury 
     a fund to be known as the `Freedom From Influence Fund'.
       ``(b) Amounts Held by Fund.--The Fund shall consist of the 
     following amounts:
       ``(1) Assessments against fines, settlements, and 
     penalties.--Amounts transferred under section 3015 of title 
     18, United States Code, section 9707 of title 31, United 
     States Code, and section 6761 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986.
       ``(2) Deposits.--Amounts deposited into the Fund under--
       ``(A) section 521(c)(1)(B) (relating to exceptions to 
     contribution requirements);
       ``(B) section 523 (relating to remittance of unused 
     payments from the Fund); and
       ``(C) section 544 (relating to violations).
       ``(3) Investment returns.--Interest on, and the proceeds 
     from, the sale or redemption of any obligations held by the 
     Fund under subsection (c).
       ``(c) Investment.--The Commission shall invest portions of 
     the Fund in obligations of the United States in the same 
     manner as provided under section 9602(b) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986.
       ``(d) Use of Fund to Make Payments to Participating 
     Candidates.--
       ``(1) Payments to participating candidates.--Amounts in the 
     Fund shall be available without further appropriation or 
     fiscal year limitation to make payments to participating 
     candidates as provided in this title.
       ``(2) Mandatory reduction of payments in case of 
     insufficient amounts in fund.--
       ``(A) Advance audits by commission.--Not later than 90 days 
     before the first day of each election cycle (beginning with 
     the first election cycle that begins after the date of the 
     enactment of this title), the Commission shall--
       ``(i) audit the Fund to determine whether the amounts in 
     the Fund will be sufficient to make payments to participating 
     candidates in the amounts provided in this title during such 
     election cycle; and
       ``(ii) submit a report to Congress describing the results 
     of the audit.
       ``(B) Reductions in amount of payments.--
       ``(i) Automatic reduction on pro rata basis.--If, on the 
     basis of the audit described in subparagraph (A), the 
     Commission determines that the amount anticipated to be 
     available in the Fund with respect to the election cycle 
     involved is not, or may not be, sufficient to satisfy the 
     full entitlements of participating candidates to payments 
     under this title for such election cycle, the Commission 
     shall reduce each amount which would otherwise be paid to a 
     participating candidate under this title by such pro rata 
     amount as may be necessary to ensure that the aggregate 
     amount of payments anticipated to be made with respect to the 
     election cycle will not exceed the amount anticipated to be 
     available for such payments in the Fund with respect to such 
     election cycle.
       ``(ii) Restoration of reductions in case of availability of 
     sufficient funds during election cycle.--If, after reducing 
     the amounts paid to participating candidates with respect to 
     an election cycle under clause (i), the Commission determines 
     that there are sufficient amounts in the Fund to restore the 
     amount by which such payments were reduced (or any portion 
     thereof), to the extent that such amounts are available, the 
     Commission may make a payment on a pro rata basis to each 
     such participating candidate with respect to the election 
     cycle in the amount by which such candidate's payments were 
     reduced under clause (i) (or any portion thereof, as the case 
     may be).
       ``(iii) No use of amounts from other sources.--In any case 
     in which the Commission determines that there are 
     insufficient moneys in the Fund to make payments to 
     participating candidates under this title, moneys shall not 
     be made available from any other source for the purpose of 
     making such payments.
       ``(e) Use of Fund to Make Other Payments.--In addition to 
     the use described in subsection (d), amounts in the Fund 
     shall be available without further appropriation or fiscal 
     year limitation--
       ``(1) to make payments to States under the My Voice Voucher 
     Program under the Government By the People Act of 2019, 
     subject to reductions under section 5101(f)(3) of such Act;
       ``(2) to make payments to candidates under chapter 95 of 
     subtitle H of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, subject to 
     reductions under section 9013(b) of such Code; and
       ``(3) to make payments to candidates under chapter 96 of 
     subtitle H of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, subject to 
     reductions under section 9043(b) of such Code.
       ``(f) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on 
     the date of the enactment of this title.

     ``SEC. 542. REVIEWS AND REPORTS BY GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 
                   OFFICE.

       ``(a) Review of Small Dollar Financing.--
       ``(1) In general.--After each regularly scheduled general 
     election for Federal office, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall conduct a comprehensive review of the 
     Small Dollar financing program under this title, including--
       ``(A) the maximum and minimum dollar amounts of qualified 
     small dollar contributions under section 504;
       ``(B) the number and value of qualified small dollar 
     contributions a candidate is required to obtain under section 
     512(a) to be eligible for certification as a participating 
     candidate;
       ``(C) the maximum amount of payments a candidate may 
     receive under this title;
       ``(D) the overall satisfaction of participating candidates 
     and the American public with the program; and
       ``(E) such other matters relating to financing of campaigns 
     as the Comptroller General determines are appropriate.
       ``(2) Criteria for review.--In conducting the review under 
     subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General shall consider the 
     following:
       ``(A) Qualified small dollar contributions.--Whether the 
     number and dollar amounts of qualified small dollar 
     contributions required strikes an appropriate balance 
     regarding the importance of voter involvement, the need to 
     assure adequate incentives for participating, and fiscal 
     responsibility, taking into consideration the number of 
     primary and general election participating candidates, the 
     electoral performance of those candidates, program cost, and 
     any other information the Comptroller General determines is 
     appropriate.
       ``(B) Review of payment levels.--Whether the totality of 
     the amount of funds allowed to be raised by participating 
     candidates (including through qualified small dollar 
     contributions) and payments under this title are sufficient 
     for voters in each State to learn about the candidates to 
     cast an informed vote, taking into account the historic 
     amount of spending by winning candidates, media costs, 
     primary election dates, and any other information the 
     Comptroller General determines is appropriate.
       ``(3) Recommendations for adjustment of amounts.--Based on 
     the review conducted under subparagraph (A), the Comptroller 
     General may recommend to Congress adjustments of the 
     following amounts:
       ``(A) The number and value of qualified small dollar 
     contributions a candidate is required to obtain under section 
     512(a) to be eligible for certification as a participating 
     candidate.
       ``(B) The maximum amount of payments a candidate may 
     receive under this title.
       ``(b) Reports.--Not later than each June 1 which follows a 
     regularly scheduled general election for Federal office for 
     which payments were made under this title, the Comptroller 
     General shall submit to the Committee on House Administration 
     of the House of Representatives a report--
       ``(1) containing an analysis of the review conducted under 
     subsection (a), including a detailed statement of Comptroller 
     General's findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on 
     such review, including any recommendations for adjustments of 
     amounts described in subsection (a)(3); and
       ``(2) documenting, evaluating, and making recommendations 
     relating to the administrative implementation and enforcement 
     of the provisions of this title.
       ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to 
     carry out the purposes of this section.

     ``SEC. 543. ADMINISTRATION BY COMMISSION.

       ``The Commission shall prescribe regulations to carry out 
     the purposes of this title, including regulations to 
     establish procedures for--
       ``(1) verifying the amount of qualified small dollar 
     contributions with respect to a candidate;
       ``(2) effectively and efficiently monitoring and enforcing 
     the limits on the raising of qualified small dollar 
     contributions;
       ``(3) effectively and efficiently monitoring and enforcing 
     the limits on the use of personal funds by participating 
     candidates; and
       ``(4) monitoring the use of allocations from the Freedom 
     From Influence Fund established under section 541 and 
     matching contributions under this title through audits of not 
     fewer than \1/10\ (or, in the case of the first 3 election 
     cycles during which the program under this title is in 
     effect, not fewer than \1/3\) of all participating candidates 
     or other mechanisms.

     ``SEC. 544. VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES.

       ``(a) Civil Penalty for Violation of Contribution and 
     Expenditure Requirements.--If a candidate who has been 
     certified as a participating candidate accepts a contribution 
     or makes an expenditure that is prohibited under section 521, 
     the Commission may assess a civil penalty against the 
     candidate in an amount that is not more than 3 times the 
     amount of the contribution or expenditure. Any amounts 
     collected under this subsection shall be deposited into the 
     Freedom From Influence Fund established under section 541.
       ``(b) Repayment for Improper Use of Freedom From Influence 
     Fund.--
       ``(1) In general.--If the Commission determines that any 
     payment made to a participating candidate was not used as 
     provided for in this title or that a participating candidate 
     has violated any of the dates for remission of funds 
     contained in this title, the

[[Page H2460]]

     Commission shall so notify the candidate and the candidate 
     shall pay to the Fund an amount equal to--
       ``(A) the amount of payments so used or not remitted, as 
     appropriate; and
       ``(B) interest on any such amounts (at a rate determined by 
     the Commission).
       ``(2) Other action not precluded.--Any action by the 
     Commission in accordance with this subsection shall not 
     preclude enforcement proceedings by the Commission in 
     accordance with section 309(a), including a referral by the 
     Commission to the Attorney General in the case of an apparent 
     knowing and willful violation of this title.
       ``(c) Prohibiting Candidates Subject to Criminal Penalty 
     From Qualifying as Participating Candidates.--A candidate is 
     not eligible to be certified as a participating candidate 
     under this title with respect to an election if a penalty has 
     been assessed against the candidate under section 309(d) with 
     respect to any previous election.

     ``SEC. 545. APPEALS PROCESS.

       ``(a) Review of Actions.--Any action by the Commission in 
     carrying out this title shall be subject to review by the 
     United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia 
     upon petition filed in the Court not later than 30 days after 
     the Commission takes the action for which the review is 
     sought.
       ``(b) Procedures.--The provisions of chapter 7 of title 5, 
     United States Code, apply to judicial review under this 
     section.

     ``SEC. 546. INDEXING OF AMOUNTS.

       ``(a) Indexing.--In any calendar year after 2024, section 
     315(c)(1)(B) shall apply to each amount described in 
     subsection (b) in the same manner as such section applies to 
     the limitations established under subsections (a)(1)(A), 
     (a)(1)(B), (a)(3), and (h) of such section, except that for 
     purposes of applying such section to the amounts described in 
     subsection (b), the `base period' shall be 2024.
       ``(b) Amounts Described.--The amounts described in this 
     subsection are as follows:
       ``(1) The amount referred to in section 502(b)(1) (relating 
     to the minimum amount of qualified small dollar contributions 
     included in a request for payment).
       ``(2) The amounts referred to in section 504(a)(1) 
     (relating to the amount of a qualified small dollar 
     contribution).
       ``(3) The amount referred to in section 512(a)(2) (relating 
     to the total dollar amount of qualified small dollar 
     contributions).
       ``(4) The amount referred to in section 521(a)(5) (relating 
     to the aggregate amount of contributions a participating 
     candidate may accept from any individual with respect to an 
     election).
       ``(5) The amount referred to in section 521(b)(1)(A) 
     (relating to the amount of personal funds that may be used by 
     a candidate who is certified as a participating candidate).
       ``(6) The amounts referred to in section 524(a)(2) 
     (relating to the amount of unspent funds a candidate may 
     retain for use in the next election cycle).
       ``(7) The amount referred to in section 532(a)(3) (relating 
     to the total dollar amount of qualified small dollar 
     contributions for a candidate seeking an additional payment 
     under subtitle D).
       ``(8) The amount referred to in section 533(b) (relating to 
     the limit on the amount of an additional payment made to a 
     candidate under subtitle D).

     ``SEC. 547. ELECTION CYCLE DEFINED.

       ``In this title, the term `election cycle' means, with 
     respect to an election for an office, the period beginning on 
     the day after the date of the most recent general election 
     for that office (or, if the general election resulted in a 
     runoff election, the date of the runoff election) and ending 
     on the date of the next general election for that office (or, 
     if the general election resulted in a runoff election, the 
     date of the runoff election).''.

     SEC. 5112. CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES BY MULTICANDIDATE 
                   AND POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES ON BEHALF OF 
                   PARTICIPATING CANDIDATES.

       (a) Authorizing Contributions Only From Separate Accounts 
     Consisting of Qualified Small Dollar Contributions.--Section 
     315(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 
     U.S.C. 30116(a)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new paragraph:
       ``(10) In the case of a multicandidate political committee 
     or any political committee of a political party, the 
     committee may make a contribution to a candidate who is a 
     participating candidate under title V with respect to an 
     election only if the contribution is paid from a separate, 
     segregated account of the committee which consists solely of 
     contributions which meet the following requirements:
       ``(A) Each such contribution is in an amount which meets 
     the requirements for the amount of a qualified small dollar 
     contribution under section 504(a)(1) with respect to the 
     election involved.
       ``(B) Each such contribution is made by an individual who 
     is not otherwise prohibited from making a contribution under 
     this Act.
       ``(C) The individual who makes the contribution does not 
     make contributions to the committee during the year in an 
     aggregate amount that exceeds the limit described in section 
     504(a)(1).''.
       (b) Permitting Unlimited Coordinated Expenditures From 
     Small Dollar Sources by Political Parties.--Section 315(d) of 
     such Act (52 U.S.C. 30116(d)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``The national 
     committee'' and inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph 
     (6), the national committee''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(6) The limits described in paragraph (3) do not apply in 
     the case of expenditures in connection with the general 
     election campaign of a candidate for the office of 
     Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, 
     the Congress who is a participating candidate under title V 
     with respect to the election, but only if--
       ``(A) the expenditures are paid from a separate, segregated 
     account of the committee which is described in subsection 
     (a)(9); and
       ``(B) the expenditures are the sole source of funding 
     provided by the committee to the candidate.''.

     SEC. 5113. PROHIBITING USE OF CONTRIBUTIONS BY PARTICIPATING 
                   CANDIDATES FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN CAMPAIGN FOR 
                   ELECTION.

       Section 313 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 
     (52 U.S.C. 30114) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subsection:
       ``(d) Restrictions on Permitted Uses of Funds by Candidates 
     Receiving Small Dollar Financing.--Notwithstanding paragraph 
     (2), (3), or (4) of subsection (a), if a candidate for 
     election for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or 
     Resident Commissioner to, the Congress is certified as a 
     participating candidate under title V with respect to the 
     election, any contribution which the candidate is permitted 
     to accept under such title may be used only for authorized 
     expenditures in connection with the candidate's campaign for 
     such office, subject to section 503(b).''.

     SEC. 5114. ASSESSMENTS AGAINST FINES AND PENALTIES.

       (a) Assessments Relating to Criminal Offenses.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 201 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     section:

     ``Sec. 3015. Special assessments for Freedom From Influence 
       Fund

       ``(a) Assessments.--
       ``(1) Convictions of crimes.--In addition to any assessment 
     imposed under this chapter, the court shall assess on any 
     organizational defendant or any defendant who is a corporate 
     officer or person with equivalent authority in any other 
     organization who is convicted of a criminal offense under 
     Federal law an amount equal to 2.75 percent of any fine 
     imposed on that defendant in the sentence imposed for that 
     conviction.
       ``(2) Settlements.--The court shall assess on any 
     organizational defendant or defendant who is a corporate 
     officer or person with equivalent authority in any other 
     organization who has entered into a settlement agreement or 
     consent decree with the United States in satisfaction of any 
     allegation that the defendant committed a criminal offense 
     under Federal law an amount equal to 2.75 percent of the 
     amount of the settlement.
       ``(b) Manner of Collection.--An amount assessed under 
     subsection (a) shall be collected in the manner in which 
     fines are collected in criminal cases.
       ``(c) Transfers.--In a manner consistent with section 
     3302(b) of title 31, there shall be transferred from the 
     General Fund of the Treasury to the Freedom From Influence 
     Fund under section 541 of the Federal Election Campaign Act 
     of 1971 an amount equal to the amount of the assessments 
     collected under this section.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections of chapter 
     201 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:

``3015. Special assessments for Freedom From Influence Fund.''.
       (b) Assessments Relating to Civil Penalties.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 97 of title 31, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     section:

     ``Sec. 9707. Special assessments for Freedom From Influence 
       Fund

       ``(a) Assessments.--
       ``(1) Civil penalties.--Any entity of the Federal 
     Government which is authorized under any law, rule, or 
     regulation to impose a civil penalty shall assess on each 
     person, other than a natural person who is not a corporate 
     officer or person with equivalent authority in any other 
     organization, on whom such a penalty is imposed an amount 
     equal to 2.75 percent of the amount of the penalty.
       ``(2) Administrative penalties.--Any entity of the Federal 
     Government which is authorized under any law, rule, or 
     regulation to impose an administrative penalty shall assess 
     on each person, other than a natural person who is not a 
     corporate officer or person with equivalent authority in any 
     other organization, on whom such a penalty is imposed an 
     amount equal to 2.75 percent of the amount of the penalty.
       ``(3) Settlements.--Any entity of the Federal Government 
     which is authorized under any law, rule, or regulation to 
     enter into a settlement agreement or consent decree with any 
     person, other than a natural person who is not a corporate 
     officer or person with equivalent authority in any other 
     organization, in satisfaction of any allegation of an action 
     or omission by the person which would be subject to a civil 
     penalty or administrative penalty shall assess on such person 
     an amount equal to 2.75 percent of the amount of the 
     settlement.
       ``(b) Manner of Collection.--An amount assessed under 
     subsection (a) shall be collected--

[[Page H2461]]

       ``(1) in the case of an amount assessed under paragraph (1) 
     of such subsection, in the manner in which civil penalties 
     are collected by the entity of the Federal Government 
     involved; and
       ``(2) in the case of an amount assessed under paragraph (2) 
     of such subsection, in the manner in which administrative 
     penalties are collected by the entity of the Federal 
     Government involved.
       ``(3) in the case of an amount assessed under paragraph (3) 
     of such subsection, in the manner in which amounts are 
     collected pursuant to settlement agreements or consent 
     decrees entered into by the entity of the Federal Government 
     involved;
       ``(c) Transfers.--In a manner consistent with section 
     3302(b) of this title, there shall be transferred from the 
     General Fund of the Treasury to the Freedom From Influence 
     Fund under section 541 of the Federal Election Campaign Act 
     of 1971 an amount equal to the amount of the assessments 
     collected under this section.
       ``(d) Exception for Penalties and Settlements Under 
     Authority of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.--
       ``(1) In general.--No assessment shall be made under 
     subsection (a) with respect to any civil or administrative 
     penalty imposed, or any settlement agreement or consent 
     decree entered into, under the authority of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986.
       ``(2) Cross reference.--For application of special 
     assessments for the Freedom From Influence Fund with respect 
     to certain penalties under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 
     see section 6761 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections of chapter 
     97 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:

``9707. Special assessments for Freedom From Influence Fund.''.
       (c) Assessments Relating to Certain Penalties Under the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 68 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subchapter:

  ``Subchapter D--Special Assessments for Freedom From Influence Fund

     ``SEC. 6761. SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE 
                   FUND.

       ``(a) In General.--Each person required to pay a covered 
     penalty shall pay an additional amount equal to 2.75 percent 
     of the amount of such penalty.
       ``(b) Covered Penalty.--For purposes of this section, the 
     term `covered penalty' means any addition to tax, additional 
     amount, penalty, or other liability provided under subchapter 
     A or B.
       ``(c) Exception for Certain Individuals.--
       ``(1) In general.--In the case of a taxpayer who is an 
     individual, subsection (a) shall not apply to any covered 
     penalty if such taxpayer is an exempt taxpayer for the 
     taxable year for which such covered penalty is assessed.
       ``(2) Exempt taxpayer.--For purposes of ths subsection, a 
     taxpayer is an exempt taxpayer for any taxable year if the 
     taxable income of such taxpayer for such taxable year does 
     not exceed the dollar amount at which begins the highest rate 
     bracket in effect under section 1 with respect to such 
     taxpayer for such taxable year.
       ``(d) Application of Certain Rules.--Except as provided in 
     subsection (e), the additional amount determined under 
     subsection (a) shall be treated for purposes of this title in 
     the same manner as the covered penalty to which such 
     additional amount relates.
       ``(e) Transfer to Freedom From Influence Fund.--The 
     Secretary shall deposit any additional amount under 
     subsection (a) in the General Fund of the Treasury and shall 
     transfer from such General Fund to the Freedom From Influence 
     Fund established under section 541 of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971 an amount equal to the amounts so 
     deposited (and, notwithstanding subsection (d), such 
     additional amount shall not be the basis for any deposit, 
     transfer, credit, appropriation, or any other payment, to any 
     other trust fund or account). Rules similar to the rules of 
     section 9601 shall apply for purposes of this subsection.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of subchapters for 
     chapter 68 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new item:

 ``subchapter d--special assessments for freedom from influence fund''.

       (d) Effective Dates.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
     amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to 
     convictions, agreements, and penalties which occur on or 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (2) Assessments relating to certain penalties under the 
     internal revenue code of 1986.--The amendments made by 
     subsection (c) shall apply to covered penalties assessed 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 5115. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       (a) In General.--Except as may otherwise be provided in 
     this part and in the amendments made by this part, this part 
     and the amendments made by this part shall apply with respect 
     to elections occurring during 2026 or any succeeding year, 
     without regard to whether or not the Federal Election 
     Commission has promulgated the final regulations necessary to 
     carry out this part and the amendments made by this part by 
     the deadline set forth in subsection (b).
       (b) Deadline for Regulations.--Not later than June 30, 
     2024, the Federal Election Commission shall promulgate such 
     regulations as may be necessary to carry out this part and 
     the amendments made by this part.

                   Subtitle C--Presidential Elections

     SEC. 5200. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Empower Act of 2019''.

                       PART 1--PRIMARY ELECTIONS

     SEC. 5201. INCREASE IN AND MODIFICATIONS TO MATCHING 
                   PAYMENTS.

       (a) Increase and Modification.--
       (1) In general.--The first sentence of section 9034(a) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
       (A) by striking ``an amount equal to the amount of each 
     contribution'' and inserting ``an amount equal to 600 percent 
     of the amount of each matchable contribution (disregarding 
     any amount of contributions from any person to the extent 
     that the total of the amounts contributed by such person for 
     the election exceeds $200)''; and
       (B) by striking ``authorized committees'' and all that 
     follows through ``$250'' and inserting ``authorized 
     committees''.
       (2) Matchable contributions.--Section 9034 of such Code is 
     amended--
       (A) by striking the last sentence of subsection (a); and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(c) Matchable Contribution Defined.--For purposes of this 
     section and section 9033(b)--
       ``(1) Matchable contribution.--The term `matchable 
     contribution' means, with respect to the nomination for 
     election to the office of President of the United States, a 
     contribution by an individual to a candidate or an authorized 
     committee of a candidate with respect to which the candidate 
     has certified in writing that--
       ``(A) the individual making such contribution has not made 
     aggregate contributions (including such matchable 
     contribution) to such candidate and the authorized committees 
     of such candidate in excess of $1,000 for the election;
       ``(B) such candidate and the authorized committees of such 
     candidate will not accept contributions from such individual 
     (including such matchable contribution) aggregating more than 
     the amount described in subparagraph (A); and
       ``(C) such contribution was a direct contribution.
       ``(2) Contribution.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
     term `contribution' means a gift of money made by a written 
     instrument which identifies the individual making the 
     contribution by full name and mailing address, but does not 
     include a subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money, 
     or anything of value or anything described in subparagraph 
     (B), (C), or (D) of section 9032(4).
       ``(3) Direct contribution.--
       ``(A) In general.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
     term `direct contribution' means, with respect to a 
     candidate, a contribution which is made directly by an 
     individual to the candidate or an authorized committee of the 
     candidate and is not--
       ``(i) forwarded from the individual making the contribution 
     to the candidate or committee by another person; or
       ``(ii) received by the candidate or committee with the 
     knowledge that the contribution was made at the request, 
     suggestion, or recommendation of another person.
       ``(B) Other definitions.--In subparagraph (A)--
       ``(i) the term `person' does not include an individual 
     (other than an individual described in section 304(i)(7) of 
     the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971), a political 
     committee of a political party, or any political committee 
     which is not a separate segregated fund described in section 
     316(b) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 and which 
     does not make contributions or independent expenditures, does 
     not engage in lobbying activity under the Lobbying Disclosure 
     Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and is not established 
     by, controlled by, or affiliated with a registered lobbyist 
     under such Act, an agent of a registered lobbyist under such 
     Act, or an organization which retains or employs a registered 
     lobbyist under such Act; and
       ``(ii) a contribution is not `made at the request, 
     suggestion, or recommendation of another person' solely on 
     the grounds that the contribution is made in response to 
     information provided to the individual making the 
     contribution by any person, so long as the candidate or 
     authorized committee does not know the identity of the person 
     who provided the information to such individual.''.
       (3) Conforming amendments.--
       (A) Section 9032(4) of such Code is amended by striking 
     ``section 9034(a)'' and inserting ``section 9034''.
       (B) Section 9033(b)(3) of such Code is amended by striking 
     ``matching contributions'' and inserting ``matchable 
     contributions''.
       (b) Modification of Payment Limitation.--Section 9034(b) of 
     such Code is amended--
       (1) by striking ``The total'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--The total'';
       (2) by striking ``shall not exceed'' and all that follows 
     and inserting ``shall not exceed $250,000,000.'', and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) Inflation adjustment.--
       ``(A) In general.--In the case of any applicable period 
     beginning after 2029, the dollar

[[Page H2462]]

     amount in paragraph (1) shall be increased by an amount equal 
     to--
       ``(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by
       ``(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under 
     section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year following the year 
     which such applicable period begins, determined by 
     substituting `calendar year 2028' for `calendar year 1992' in 
     subparagraph (B) thereof.
       ``(B) Applicable period.--For purposes of this paragraph, 
     the term `applicable period' means the 4-year period 
     beginning with the first day following the date of the 
     general election for the office of President and ending on 
     the date of the next such general election.
       ``(C) Rounding.--If any amount as adjusted under 
     subparagraph (1) is not a multiple of $10,000, such amount 
     shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10,000.''.

     SEC. 5202. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR MATCHING PAYMENTS.

       (a) Amount of Aggregate Contributions Per State; 
     Disregarding of Amounts Contributed in Excess of $200.--
     Section 9033(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``$5,000'' and inserting ``$25,000''; and
       (2) by striking ``20 States'' and inserting the following: 
     ``20 States (disregarding any amount of contributions from 
     any such resident to the extent that the total of the amounts 
     contributed by such resident for the election exceeds 
     $200)''.
       (b) Contribution Limit.--
       (1) In general.--Paragraph (4) of section 9033(b) of such 
     Code is amended to read as follows:
       ``(4) the candidate and the authorized committees of the 
     candidate will not accept aggregate contributions from any 
     person with respect to the nomination for election to the 
     office of President of the United States in excess of $1,000 
     for the election.''.
       (2) Conforming amendments.--
       (A) Section 9033(b) of such Code is amended by adding at 
     the end the following new flush sentence:
     ``For purposes of paragraph (4), the term `contribution' has 
     the meaning given such term in section 301(8) of the Federal 
     Election Campaign Act of 1971.''.
       (B) Section 9032(4) of such Code, as amended by section 
     5201(a)(3)(A), is amended by inserting ``or 9033(b)'' after 
     ``9034''.
       (c) Participation in System for Payments for General 
     Election.--Section 9033(b) of such Code is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (3);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (4) and 
     inserting ``, and''; and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(5) if the candidate is nominated by a political party 
     for election to the office of President, the candidate will 
     apply for and accept payments with respect to the general 
     election for such office in accordance with chapter 95.''.
       (d) Prohibition on Joint Fundraising Committees.--Section 
     9033(b) of such Code, as amended by subsection (c), is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (4);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (5) adding at the end the 
     following new paragraph:
       ``(6) the candidate will not establish a joint fundraising 
     committee with a political committee other than another 
     authorized committee of the candidate, except that candidate 
     established a joint fundraising committee with respect to a 
     prior election for which the candidate was not eligible to 
     receive payments under section 9037 and the candidate does 
     not terminate the committee, the candidate shall not be 
     considered to be in violation of this paragraph so long as 
     that joint fundraising committee does not receive any 
     contributions or make any disbursements during the election 
     cycle for which the candidate is eligible to receive payments 
     under such section.''.

     SEC. 5203. REPEAL OF EXPENDITURE LIMITATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 9035 of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) Personal Expenditure Limitation.--No candidate shall 
     knowingly make expenditures from his personal funds, or the 
     personal funds of his immediate family, in connection with 
     his campaign for nomination for election to the office of 
     President in excess of, in the aggregate, $50,000.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (1) of section 9033(b) 
     of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(1) the candidate will comply with the personal 
     expenditure limitation under section 9035,''.

     SEC. 5204. PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY OF MATCHING PAYMENTS.

       Section 9032(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
     amended by striking ``the beginning of the calendar year in 
     which a general election for the office of President of the 
     United States will be held'' and inserting ``the date that is 
     6 months prior to the date of the earliest State primary 
     election''.

     SEC. 5205. EXAMINATION AND AUDITS OF MATCHABLE CONTRIBUTIONS.

       Section 9038(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
     amended by inserting ``and matchable contributions accepted 
     by'' after ``qualified campaign expenses of''.

     SEC. 5206. MODIFICATION TO LIMITATION ON CONTRIBUTIONS FOR 
                   PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY CANDIDATES.

       Section 315(a)(6) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
     1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116(a)(6)) is amended by striking 
     ``calendar year'' and inserting ``four-year election cycle''.

     SEC. 5207. USE OF FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND AS SOURCE OF 
                   PAYMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 96 of subtitle H of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``SEC. 9043. USE OF FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND AS SOURCE OF 
                   PAYMENTS.

       ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this chapter, effective with respect to the Presidential 
     election held in 2028 and each succeeding Presidential 
     election, all payments made to candidates under this chapter 
     shall be made from the Freedom From Influence Fund 
     established under section 541 of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971 (hereafter in this section referred to 
     as the `Fund').
       ``(b) Mandatory Reduction of Payments in Case of 
     Insufficient Amounts in Fund.--
       ``(1) Advance audits by commission.--Not later than 90 days 
     before the first day of each Presidential election cycle 
     (beginning with the cycle for the election held in 2028), the 
     Commission shall--
       ``(A) audit the Fund to determine whether, after first 
     making payments to participating candidates under title V of 
     the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 and then making 
     payments to States under the My Voice Voucher Program under 
     the Government By the People Act of 2019, the amounts 
     remaining in the Fund will be sufficient to make payments to 
     candidates under this chapter in the amounts provided under 
     this chapter during such election cycle; and
       ``(B) submit a report to Congress describing the results of 
     the audit.
       ``(2) Reductions in amount of payments.--
       ``(A) Automatic reduction on pro rata basis.--If, on the 
     basis of the audit described in paragraph (1), the Commission 
     determines that the amount anticipated to be available in the 
     Fund with respect to the Presidential election cycle involved 
     is not, or may not be, sufficient to satisfy the full 
     entitlements of candidates to payments under this chapter for 
     such cycle, the Commission shall reduce each amount which 
     would otherwise be paid to a candidate under this chapter by 
     such pro rata amount as may be necessary to ensure that the 
     aggregate amount of payments anticipated to be made with 
     respect to the cycle will not exceed the amount anticipated 
     to be available for such payments in the Fund with respect to 
     such cycle.
       ``(B) Restoration of reductions in case of availability of 
     sufficient funds during election cycle.--If, after reducing 
     the amounts paid to candidates with respect to an election 
     cycle under subparagraph (A), the Commission determines that 
     there are sufficient amounts in the Fund to restore the 
     amount by which such payments were reduced (or any portion 
     thereof), to the extent that such amounts are available, the 
     Commission may make a payment on a pro rata basis to each 
     such candidate with respect to the election cycle in the 
     amount by which such candidate's payments were reduced under 
     subparagraph (A) (or any portion thereof, as the case may 
     be).
       ``(C) No use of amounts from other sources.--In any case in 
     which the Commission determines that there are insufficient 
     moneys in the Fund to make payments to candidates under this 
     chapter, moneys shall not be made available from any other 
     source for the purpose of making such payments.
       ``(3) No effect on amounts transferred for pediatric 
     research initiative.--This section does not apply to the 
     transfer of funds under section 9008(i).
       ``(4) Presidential election cycle defined.--In this 
     section, the term `Presidential election cycle' means, with 
     respect to a Presidential election, the period beginning on 
     the day after the date of the previous Presidential general 
     election and ending on the date of the Presidential 
     election.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     96 of subtitle H of such Code is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new item:

``Sec. 9043. Use of Freedom From Influence Fund as source of 
              payments.''.

                       PART 2--GENERAL ELECTIONS

     SEC. 5211. MODIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR 
                   PUBLIC FINANCING.

       Subsection (a) of section 9003 of the Internal Revenue Code 
     of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) In General.--In order to be eligible to receive any 
     payments under section 9006, the candidates of a political 
     party in a Presidential election shall meet the following 
     requirements:
       ``(1) Participation in primary payment system.--The 
     candidate for President received payments under chapter 96 
     for the campaign for nomination for election to be President.
       ``(2) Agreements with commission.--The candidates, in 
     writing--
       ``(A) agree to obtain and furnish to the Commission such 
     evidence as it may request of the qualified campaign expenses 
     of such candidates,
       ``(B) agree to keep and furnish to the Commission such 
     records, books, and other information as it may request, and
       ``(C) agree to an audit and examination by the Commission 
     under section 9007 and to pay any amounts required to be paid 
     under such section.

[[Page H2463]]

       ``(3) Prohibition on joint fundraising committees.--
       ``(A) Prohibition.--The candidates certifies in writing 
     that the candidates will not establish a joint fundraising 
     committee with a political committee other than another 
     authorized committee of the candidate.
       ``(B) Status of existing committees for prior elections.--
     If a candidate established a joint fundraising committee 
     described in subparagraph (A) with respect to a prior 
     election for which the candidate was not eligible to receive 
     payments under section 9006 and the candidate does not 
     terminate the committee, the candidate shall not be 
     considered to be in violation of subparagraph (A) so long as 
     that joint fundraising committee does not receive any 
     contributions or make any disbursements with respect to the 
     election for which the candidate is eligible to receive 
     payments under section 9006.''.

     SEC. 5212. REPEAL OF EXPENDITURE LIMITATIONS AND USE OF 
                   QUALIFIED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

       (a) Use of Qualified Campaign Contributions Without 
     Expenditure Limits; Application of Same Requirements for 
     Major, Minor, and New Parties.--Section 9003 of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking subsections (b) 
     and (c) and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Use of Qualified Campaign Contributions To Defray 
     Expenses.--
       ``(1) In general.--In order to be eligible to receive any 
     payments under section 9006, the candidates of a party in a 
     Presidential election shall certify to the Commission, under 
     penalty of perjury, that--
       ``(A) such candidates and their authorized committees have 
     not and will not accept any contributions to defray qualified 
     campaign expenses other than--
       ``(i) qualified campaign contributions, and
       ``(ii) contributions to the extent necessary to make up any 
     deficiency payments received out of the fund on account of 
     the application of section 9006(c), and
       ``(B) such candidates and their authorized committees have 
     not and will not accept any contribution to defray expenses 
     which would be qualified campaign expenses but for 
     subparagraph (C) of section 9002(11).
       ``(2) Timing of certification.--The candidate shall make 
     the certification required under this subsection at the same 
     time the candidate makes the certification required under 
     subsection (a)(3).''.
       (b) Definition of Qualified Campaign Contribution.--Section 
     9002 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new paragraph:
       ``(13) Qualified campaign contribution.--The term 
     `qualified campaign contribution' means, with respect to any 
     election for the office of President of the United States, a 
     contribution from an individual to a candidate or an 
     authorized committee of a candidate which--
       ``(A) does not exceed $1,000 for the election; and
       ``(B) with respect to which the candidate has certified in 
     writing that--
       ``(i) the individual making such contribution has not made 
     aggregate contributions (including such qualified 
     contribution) to such candidate and the authorized committees 
     of such candidate in excess of the amount described in 
     subparagraph (A), and
       ``(ii) such candidate and the authorized committees of such 
     candidate will not accept contributions from such individual 
     (including such qualified contribution) aggregating more than 
     the amount described in subparagraph (A) with respect to such 
     election.''.
       (c) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Repeal of expenditure limits.--
       (A) In general.--Section 315 of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116) is amended by striking 
     subsection (b).
       (B) Conforming amendments.--Section 315(c) of such Act (52 
     U.S.C. 30116(c)) is amended--
       (i) in paragraph (1)(B)(i), by striking ``, (b)''; and
       (ii) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by striking ``subsections (b) 
     and (d)'' and inserting ``subsection (d)''.
       (2) Repeal of repayment requirement.--
       (A) In general.--Section 9007(b) of the Internal Revenue 
     Code of 1986 is amended by striking paragraph (2) and 
     redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) as paragraphs (2), 
     (3), and (4), respectively.
       (B) Conforming amendment.--Paragraph (2) of section 9007(b) 
     of such Code, as redesignated by subparagraph (A), is 
     amended--
       (i) by striking ``a major party'' and inserting ``a 
     party'';
       (ii) by inserting ``qualified contributions and'' after 
     ``contributions (other than''; and
       (iii) by striking ``(other than qualified campaign expenses 
     with respect to which payment is required under paragraph 
     (2))''.
       (3) Criminal penalties.--
       (A) Repeal of penalty for excess expenses.--Section 9012 of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking 
     subsection (a).
       (B) Penalty for acceptance of disallowed contributions; 
     application of same penalty for candidates of major, minor, 
     and new parties.--Subsection (b) of section 9012 of such Code 
     is amended to read as follows:
       ``(b) Contributions.--
       ``(1) Acceptance of disallowed contributions.--It shall be 
     unlawful for an eligible candidate of a party in a 
     Presidential election or any of his authorized committees 
     knowingly and willfully to accept--
       ``(A) any contribution other than a qualified campaign 
     contribution to defray qualified campaign expenses, except to 
     the extent necessary to make up any deficiency in payments 
     received out of the fund on account of the application of 
     section 9006(c); or
       ``(B) any contribution to defray expenses which would be 
     qualified campaign expenses but for subparagraph (C) of 
     section 9002(11).
       ``(2) Penalty.--Any person who violates paragraph (1) shall 
     be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than 
     one year, or both. In the case of a violation by an 
     authorized committee, any officer or member of such committee 
     who knowingly and willfully consents to such violation shall 
     be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than 
     one year, or both.''.

     SEC. 5213. MATCHING PAYMENTS AND OTHER MODIFICATIONS TO 
                   PAYMENT AMOUNTS.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Amount of payments; application of same amount for 
     candidates of major, minor, and new parties.--Subsection (a) 
     of section 9004 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) In General.--Subject to the provisions of this 
     chapter, the eligible candidates of a party in a Presidential 
     election shall be entitled to equal payment under section 
     9006 in an amount equal to 600 percent of the amount of each 
     matchable contribution received by such candidate or by the 
     candidate's authorized committees (disregarding any amount of 
     contributions from any person to the extent that the total of 
     the amounts contributed by such person for the election 
     exceeds $200), except that total amount to which a candidate 
     is entitled under this paragraph shall not exceed 
     $250,000,000.''.
       (2) Repeal of separate limitations for candidates of minor 
     and new parties; inflation adjustment.--Subsection (b) of 
     section 9004 of such Code is amended to read as follows:
       ``(b) Inflation Adjustment.--
       ``(1) In general.--In the case of any applicable period 
     beginning after 2029, the $250,000,000 dollar amount in 
     subsection (a) shall be increased by an amount equal to--
       ``(A) such dollar amount; multiplied by
       ``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under 
     section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year following the year 
     which such applicable period begins, determined by 
     substituting `calendar year 2028' for `calendar year 1992' in 
     subparagraph (B) thereof.
       ``(2) Applicable period.--For purposes of this subsection, 
     the term `applicable period' means the 4-year period 
     beginning with the first day following the date of the 
     general election for the office of President and ending on 
     the date of the next such general election.
       ``(3) Rounding.--If any amount as adjusted under paragraph 
     (1) is not a multiple of $10,000, such amount shall be 
     rounded to the nearest multiple of $10,000.''.
       (3) Conforming amendment.--Section 9005(a) of such Code is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: 
     ``The Commission shall make such additional certifications as 
     may be necessary to receive payments under section 9004.''.
       (b) Matchable Contribution.--Section 9002 of such Code, as 
     amended by section 5212(b), is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new paragraph:
       ``(14) Matchable contribution.--The term `matchable 
     contribution' means, with respect to the election to the 
     office of President of the United States, a contribution by 
     an individual to a candidate or an authorized committee of a 
     candidate with respect to which the candidate has certified 
     in writing that--
       ``(A) the individual making such contribution has not made 
     aggregate contributions (including such matchable 
     contribution) to such candidate and the authorized committees 
     of such candidate in excess of $1,000 for the election;
       ``(B) such candidate and the authorized committees of such 
     candidate will not accept contributions from such individual 
     (including such matchable contribution) aggregating more than 
     the amount described in subparagraph (A) with respect to such 
     election; and
       ``(C) such contribution was a direct contribution (as 
     defined in section 9034(c)(3)).''.

     SEC. 5214. INCREASE IN LIMIT ON COORDINATED PARTY 
                   EXPENDITURES.

       (a) In General.--Section 315(d)(2) of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116(d)(2)) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(2)(A) The national committee of a political party may 
     not make any expenditure in connection with the general 
     election campaign of any candidate for President of the 
     United States who is affiliated with such party which exceeds 
     $100,000,000.
       ``(B) For purposes of this paragraph--
       ``(i) any expenditure made by or on behalf of a national 
     committee of a political party and in connection with a 
     Presidential election shall be considered to be made in 
     connection with the general election campaign of a candidate 
     for President of the United States who is affiliated with 
     such party; and
       ``(ii) any communication made by or on behalf of such party 
     shall be considered to be made in connection with the general 
     election campaign of a candidate for President of the United 
     States who is affiliated with such party if any portion of 
     the communication is in connection with such election.
       ``(C) Any expenditure under this paragraph shall be in 
     addition to any expenditure by a

[[Page H2464]]

     national committee of a political party serving as the 
     principal campaign committee of a candidate for the office of 
     President of the United States.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments Relating to Timing of Cost-of-
     Living Adjustment.--
       (1) In general.--Section 315(c)(1) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
     30116(c)(1)) is amended--
       (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``(d)'' and inserting 
     ``(d)(2)''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(D) In any calendar year after 2028--
       ``(i) the dollar amount in subsection (d)(2) shall be 
     increased by the percent difference determined under 
     subparagraph (A);
       ``(ii) the amount so increased shall remain in effect for 
     the calendar year; and
       ``(iii) if the amount after adjustment under clause (i) is 
     not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the 
     nearest multiple of $100.''.
       (2) Base year.--Section 315(c)(2)(B) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
     30116(c)(2)(B)) is amended--
       (A) in clause (i)--
       (i) by striking ``(d)'' and inserting ``(d)(3)''; and
       (ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new clause:
       ``(iii) for purposes of subsection (d)(2), calendar year 
     2027.''.

     SEC. 5215. ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIFORM DATE FOR RELEASE OF 
                   PAYMENTS.

       (a) Date for Payments.--
       (1) In general.--Section 9006(b) of the Internal Revenue 
     Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
       ``(b) Payments From the Fund.--If the Secretary of the 
     Treasury receives a certification from the Commission under 
     section 9005 for payment to the eligible candidates of a 
     political party, the Secretary shall pay to such candidates 
     out of the fund the amount certified by the Commission on the 
     later of--
       ``(1) the last Friday occurring before the first Monday in 
     September; or
       ``(2) 24 hours after receiving the certifications for the 
     eligible candidates of all major political parties.
     Amounts paid to any such candidates shall be under the 
     control of such candidates.''.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--The first sentence of section 
     9006(c) of such Code is amended by striking ``the time of a 
     certification by the Commission under section 9005 for 
     payment'' and inserting ``the time of making a payment under 
     subsection (b)''.
       (b) Time for Certification.--Section 9005(a) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``10 
     days'' and inserting ``24 hours''.

     SEC. 5216. AMOUNTS IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN FUND.

       Section 9006(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``In 
     making a determination of whether there are insufficient 
     moneys in the fund for purposes of the previous sentence, the 
     Secretary shall take into account in determining the balance 
     of the fund for a Presidential election year the Secretary's 
     best estimate of the amount of moneys which will be deposited 
     into the fund during the year, except that the amount of the 
     estimate may not exceed the average of the annual amounts 
     deposited in the fund during the previous 3 years.''.

     SEC. 5217. USE OF GENERAL ELECTION PAYMENTS FOR GENERAL 
                   ELECTION LEGAL AND ACCOUNTING COMPLIANCE.

       Section 9002(11) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: 
     ``For purposes of subparagraph (A), an expense incurred by a 
     candidate or authorized committee for general election legal 
     and accounting compliance purposes shall be considered to be 
     an expense to further the election of such candidate.''.

     SEC. 5218. USE OF FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND AS SOURCE OF 
                   PAYMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 95 of subtitle H of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``SEC. 9013. USE OF FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND AS SOURCE OF 
                   PAYMENTS.

       ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this chapter, effective with respect to the Presidential 
     election held in 2028 and each succeeding Presidential 
     election, all payments made under this chapter shall be made 
     from the Freedom From Influence Fund established under 
     section 541 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
       ``(b) Mandatory Reduction of Payments in Case of 
     Insufficient Amounts in Fund.--
       ``(1) Advance audits by commission.--Not later than 90 days 
     before the first day of each Presidential election cycle 
     (beginning with the cycle for the election held in 2028), the 
     Commission shall--
       ``(A) audit the Fund to determine whether, after first 
     making payments to participating candidates under title V of 
     the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 and then making 
     payments to States under the My Voice Voucher Program under 
     the Government By the People Act of 2019 and then making 
     payments to candidates under chapter 96, the amounts 
     remaining in the Fund will be sufficient to make payments to 
     candidates under this chapter in the amounts provided under 
     this chapter during such election cycle; and
       ``(B) submit a report to Congress describing the results of 
     the audit.
       ``(2) Reductions in amount of payments.--
       ``(A) Automatic reduction on pro rata basis.--If, on the 
     basis of the audit described in paragraph (1), the Commission 
     determines that the amount anticipated to be available in the 
     Fund with respect to the Presidential election cycle involved 
     is not, or may not be, sufficient to satisfy the full 
     entitlements of candidates to payments under this chapter for 
     such cycle, the Commission shall reduce each amount which 
     would otherwise be paid to a candidate under this chapter by 
     such pro rata amount as may be necessary to ensure that the 
     aggregate amount of payments anticipated to be made with 
     respect to the cycle will not exceed the amount anticipated 
     to be available for such payments in the Fund with respect to 
     such cycle.
       ``(B) Restoration of reductions in case of availability of 
     sufficient funds during election cycle.--If, after reducing 
     the amounts paid to candidates with respect to an election 
     cycle under subparagraph (A), the Commission determines that 
     there are sufficient amounts in the Fund to restore the 
     amount by which such payments were reduced (or any portion 
     thereof), to the extent that such amounts are available, the 
     Commission may make a payment on a pro rata basis to each 
     such candidate with respect to the election cycle in the 
     amount by which such candidate's payments were reduced under 
     subparagraph (A) (or any portion thereof, as the case may 
     be).
       ``(C) No use of amounts from other sources.--In any case in 
     which the Commission determines that there are insufficient 
     moneys in the Fund to make payments to candidates under this 
     chapter, moneys shall not be made available from any other 
     source for the purpose of making such payments.
       ``(3) No effect on amounts transferred for pediatric 
     research initiative.--This section does not apply to the 
     transfer of funds under section 9008(i).
       ``(4) Presidential election cycle defined.--In this 
     section, the term `Presidential election cycle' means, with 
     respect to a Presidential election, the period beginning on 
     the day after the date of the previous Presidential general 
     election and ending on the date of the Presidential 
     election.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     95 of subtitle H of such Code is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new item:

``Sec. 9013. Use of Freedom From Influence Fund as source of 
              payments.''.

                         PART 3--EFFECTIVE DATE

     SEC. 5221. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       (a) In General.--Except as otherwise provided, this 
     subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle shall apply 
     with respect to the Presidential election held in 2028 and 
     each succeeding Presidential election, without regard to 
     whether or not the Federal Election Commission has 
     promulgated the final regulations necessary to carry out this 
     part and the amendments made by this part by the deadline set 
     forth in subsection (b).
       (b) Deadline for Regulations.--Not later than June 30, 
     2026, the Federal Election Commission shall promulgate such 
     regulations as may be necessary to carry out this part and 
     the amendments made by this part.

 Subtitle D--Personal Use Services as Authorized Campaign Expenditures

     SEC. 5301. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

       (a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the ``Help 
     America Run Act''.
       (b) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Everyday Americans experience barriers to entry before 
     they can consider running for office to serve their 
     communities.
       (2) Current law states that campaign funds cannot be spent 
     on everyday expenses that would exist whether or not a 
     candidate were running for office, like childcare and food. 
     While the law seems neutral, its actual effect is to 
     privilege the independently wealthy who want to run, because 
     given the demands of running for office, candidates who must 
     work to pay for childcare or to afford health insurance are 
     effectively being left out of the process, even if they have 
     sufficient support to mount a viable campaign.
       (3) Thus current practice favors those prospective 
     candidates who do not need to rely on a regular paycheck to 
     make ends meet. The consequence is that everyday Americans 
     who have firsthand knowledge of the importance of stable 
     childcare, a safety net, or great public schools are less 
     likely to get a seat at the table. This governance by the few 
     is antithetical to the democratic experiment, but most 
     importantly, when lawmakers do not share the concerns of 
     everyday Americans, their policies reflect that.
       (4) These circumstances have contributed to a Congress that 
     does not always reflect everyday Americans. The New York 
     Times reported in 2019 that fewer than 5 percent of 
     representatives cite blue-collar or service jobs in their 
     biographies. A 2015 survey by the Center for Responsive 
     Politics showed that the median net worth of lawmakers was 
     just over $1 million in 2013, or 18 times the wealth of the 
     typical American household.
       (5) These circumstances have also contributed to a 
     governing body that does not reflect the nation it serves. 
     For instance, women are 51% of the American population. Yet 
     even with a record number of women serving in the One Hundred 
     Sixteenth Congress, the Pew Research Center notes that more 
     than three out of four Members of this Congress are male. The 
     Center for American Women And Politics found that one third 
     of women legislators surveyed had been actively discouraged 
     from running for office,

[[Page H2465]]

     often by political professionals. This type of 
     discouragement, combined with the prohibitions on using 
     campaign funds for domestic needs like childcare, burdens 
     that still fall disproportionately on American women, 
     particularly disadvantages working mothers. These barriers 
     may explain why only 10 women in history have given birth 
     while serving in Congress, in spite of the prevalence of 
     working parents in other professions. Yet working mothers and 
     fathers are best positioned to create policy that reflects 
     the lived experience of most Americans.
       (6) Working mothers, those caring for their elderly 
     parents, and young professionals who rely on their jobs for 
     health insurance should have the freedom to run to serve the 
     people of the United States. Their networks and net worth are 
     simply not the best indicators of their strength as 
     prospective public servants. In fact, helping ordinary 
     Americans to run may create better policy for all Americans.
       (c) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this subtitle to ensure 
     that all Americans who are otherwise qualified to serve this 
     Nation are able to run for office, regardless of their 
     economic status. By expanding permissible uses of campaign 
     funds and providing modest assurance that testing a run for 
     office will not cost one's livelihood, the Help America Run 
     Act will facilitate the candidacy of representatives who more 
     accurately reflect the experiences, challenges, and ideals of 
     everyday Americans.

     SEC. 5302. TREATMENT OF PAYMENTS FOR CHILD CARE AND OTHER 
                   PERSONAL USE SERVICES AS AUTHORIZED CAMPAIGN 
                   EXPENDITURE.

       (a) Personal Use Services as Authorized Campaign 
     Expenditure.--Section 313 of the Federal Election Campaign 
     Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30114), as amended by section 5113, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e) Treatment of Payments for Child Care and Other 
     Personal Use Services as Authorized Campaign Expenditure.--
       ``(1) Authorized expenditures.--For purposes of subsection 
     (a), the payment by an authorized committee of a candidate 
     for any of the personal use services described in paragraph 
     (3) shall be treated as an authorized expenditure if the 
     services are necessary to enable the participation of the 
     candidate in campaign-connected activities.
       ``(2) Limitations.--
       ``(A) Limit on total amount of payments.--The total amount 
     of payments made by an authorized committee of a candidate 
     for personal use services described in paragraph (3) may not 
     exceed the limit which is applicable under any law, rule, or 
     regulation on the amount of payments which may be made by the 
     committee for the salary of the candidate (without regard to 
     whether or not the committee makes payments to the candidate 
     for that purpose).
       ``(B) Corresponding reduction in amount of salary paid to 
     candidate.--To the extent that an authorized committee of a 
     candidate makes payments for the salary of the candidate, any 
     limit on the amount of such payments which is applicable 
     under any law, rule, or regulation shall be reduced by the 
     amount of any payments made to or on behalf of the candidate 
     for personal use services described in paragraph (3), other 
     than personal use services described in subparagraph (E) of 
     such paragraph.
       ``(C) Exclusion of candidates who are officeholders.--
     Paragraph (1) does not apply with respect to an authorized 
     committee of a candidate who is a holder of Federal office.
       ``(3) Personal use services described.--The personal use 
     services described in this paragraph are as follows:
       ``(A) Child care services.
       ``(B) Elder care services.
       ``(C) Services similar to the services described in 
     subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (B) which are provided on 
     behalf of any dependent who is a qualifying relative under 
     section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
       ``(D) Health insurance premiums.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

                        Subtitle E--Severability

     SEC. 5401. SEVERABILITY.

       If any provision of this title or amendment made by this 
     title, or the application of a provision or amendment to any 
     person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the 
     remainder of this title and amendments made by this title, 
     and the application of the provisions and amendment to any 
     person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.

                  TITLE VI--CAMPAIGN FINANCE OVERSIGHT

         Subtitle A--Restoring Integrity to America's Elections

Sec. 6001. Short title.
Sec. 6002. Membership of Federal Election Commission.
Sec. 6003. Assignment of powers to Chair of Federal Election 
              Commission.
Sec. 6004. Revision to enforcement process.
Sec. 6005. Permitting appearance at hearings on requests for advisory 
              opinions by persons opposing the requests.
Sec. 6006. Permanent extension of administrative penalty authority.
Sec. 6007. Restrictions on ex parte communications.
Sec. 6008. Effective date; transition.

         Subtitle B--Stopping Super PAC-Candidate Coordination

Sec. 6101. Short title.
Sec. 6102. Clarification of treatment of coordinated expenditures as 
              contributions to candidates.
Sec. 6103. Clarification of ban on fundraising for super PACs by 
              Federal candidates and officeholders.

                        Subtitle C--Severability

Sec. 6201. Severability.

         Subtitle A--Restoring Integrity to America's Elections

     SEC. 6001. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Restoring Integrity to 
     America's Elections Act''.

     SEC. 6002. MEMBERSHIP OF FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION.

       (a) Reduction in Number of Members; Removal of Secretary of 
     Senate and Clerk of House as Ex Officio Members.--
       (1) In general; quorum.--Section 306(a)(1) of the Federal 
     Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30106(a)(1)) is 
     amended by striking the second and third sentences and 
     inserting the following: ``The Commission is composed of 5 
     members appointed by the President by and with the advice and 
     consent of the Senate, of whom no more than 2 may be 
     affiliated with the same political party. A member shall by 
     treated as affiliated with a political party if the member 
     was affiliated, including as a registered voter, employee, 
     consultant, donor, officer, or attorney, with such political 
     party or any of its candidates or elected public officials at 
     any time during the 5-year period ending on the date on which 
     such individual is nominated to be a member of the 
     Commission. A majority of the number of members of the 
     Commission who are serving at the time shall constitute a 
     quorum, except that 3 members shall constitute a quorum if 
     there are 4 members serving at the time.''.
       (2) Conforming amendments relating to reduction in number 
     of members.--(A) The second sentence of section 306(c) of 
     such Act (52 U.S.C. 30106(c)) is amended by striking 
     ``affirmative vote of 4 members of the Commission'' and 
     inserting ``affirmative vote of a majority of the members of 
     the Commission who are serving at the time''.
       (B) Such Act is further amended by striking ``affirmative 
     vote of 4 of its members'' and inserting ``affirmative vote 
     of a majority of the members of the Commission who are 
     serving at the time'' each place it appears in the following 
     sections:
       (i) Section 309(a)(2) (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(2)).
       (ii) Section 309(a)(4)(A)(i) (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(4)(A)(i)).
       (iii) Section 309(a)(5)(C) (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(5)(C)).
       (iv) Section 309(a)(6)(A) (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(6)(A)).
       (v) Section 311(b) (52 U.S.C. 30111(b)).
       (3) Conforming amendment relating to removal of ex officio 
     members.--Section 306(a) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30106(a)) is 
     amended by striking ``(other than the Secretary of the Senate 
     and the Clerk of the House of Representatives)'' each place 
     it appears in paragraphs (4) and (5).
       (b) Terms of Service.--Section 306(a)(2) of such Act (52 
     U.S.C. 30106(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(2) Terms of service.--
       ``(A) In general.--Each member of the Commission shall 
     serve for a single term of 6 years.
       ``(B) Special rule for initial appointments.--Of the 
     members first appointed to serve terms that begin in January 
     2022, the President shall designate 2 to serve for a 3-year 
     term.
       ``(C) No reappointment permitted.--An individual who served 
     a term as a member of the Commission may not serve for an 
     additional term, except that--
       ``(i) an individual who served a 3-year term under 
     subparagraph (B) may also be appointed to serve a 6-year term 
     under subparagraph (A); and
       ``(ii) for purposes of this subparagraph, an individual who 
     is appointed to fill a vacancy under subparagraph (D) shall 
     not be considered to have served a term if the portion of the 
     unexpired term the individual fills is less than 50 percent 
     of the period of the term.
       ``(D) Vacancies.--Any vacancy occurring in the membership 
     of the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as in 
     the case of the original appointment. Except as provided in 
     subparagraph (C), an individual appointed to fill a vacancy 
     occurring other than by the expiration of a term of office 
     shall be appointed only for the unexpired term of the member 
     he or she succeeds.
       ``(E) Limitation on service after expiration of term.--A 
     member of the Commission may continue to serve on the 
     Commission after the expiration of the member's term for an 
     additional period, but only until the earlier of--
       ``(i) the date on which the member's successor has taken 
     office as a member of the Commission; or
       ``(ii) the expiration of the 1-year period that begins on 
     the last day of the member's term.''.
       (c) Qualifications.--Section 306(a)(3) of such Act (52 
     U.S.C. 30106(a)(3)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(3) Qualifications.--
       ``(A) In general.--The President may select an individual 
     for service as a member of the Commission if the individual 
     has experience in election law and has a demonstrated record 
     of integrity, impartiality, and good judgment.
       ``(B) Assistance of blue ribbon advisory panel.--

[[Page H2466]]

       ``(i) In general.--Prior to the regularly scheduled 
     expiration of the term of a member of the Commission and upon 
     the occurrence of a vacancy in the membership of the 
     Commission prior to the expiration of a term, the President 
     shall convene a Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel, consisting of an 
     odd number of individuals selected by the President from 
     retired Federal judges, former law enforcement officials, or 
     individuals with experience in election law, except that the 
     President may not select any individual to serve on the panel 
     who holds any public office at the time of selection.
       ``(ii) Recommendations.--With respect to each member of the 
     Commission whose term is expiring or each vacancy in the 
     membership of the Commission (as the case may be), the Blue 
     Ribbon Advisory Panel shall recommend to the President at 
     least one but not more than 3 individuals for nomination for 
     appointment as a member of the Commission.
       ``(iii) Publication.--At the time the President submits to 
     the Senate the nominations for individuals to be appointed as 
     members of the Commission, the President shall publish the 
     Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel's recommendations for such 
     nominations.
       ``(iv) Exemption from federal advisory committee act.--The 
     Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) does not apply 
     to a Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel convened under this 
     subparagraph.
       ``(C) Prohibiting engagement with other business or 
     employment during service.--A member of the Commission shall 
     not engage in any other business, vocation, or employment. 
     Any individual who is engaging in any other business, 
     vocation, or employment at the time of his or her appointment 
     to the Commission shall terminate or liquidate such activity 
     no later than 90 days after such appointment.''.

     SEC. 6003. ASSIGNMENT OF POWERS TO CHAIR OF FEDERAL ELECTION 
                   COMMISSION.

       (a) Appointment of Chair by President.--
       (1) In general.--Section 306(a)(5) of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30106(a)(5)) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(5) Chair.--
       ``(A) Initial appointment.--Of the members first appointed 
     to serve terms that begin in January 2022, one such member 
     (as designated by the President at the time the President 
     submits nominations to the Senate) shall serve as Chair of 
     the Commission.
       ``(B) Subsequent appointments.--Any individual who is 
     appointed to succeed the member who serves as Chair of the 
     Commission for the term beginning in January 2022 (as well as 
     any individual who is appointed to fill a vacancy if such 
     member does not serve a full term as Chair) shall serve as 
     Chair of the Commission.
       ``(C) Vice chair.--The Commission shall select, by majority 
     vote of its members, one of its members to serve as Vice 
     Chair, who shall act as Chair in the absence or disability of 
     the Chair or in the event of a vacancy in the position of 
     Chair.''.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 309(a)(2) of such Act 
     (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``through its 
     chairman or vice chairman'' and inserting ``through the 
     Chair''.
       (b) Powers.--
       (1) Assignment of certain powers to chair.--Section 307(a) 
     of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30107(a)) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(a) Distribution of Powers Between Chair and 
     Commission.--
       ``(1) Powers assigned to chair.--
       ``(A) Administrative powers.--The Chair of the Commission 
     shall be the chief administrative officer of the Commission 
     and shall have the authority to administer the Commission and 
     its staff, and (in consultation with the other members of the 
     Commission) shall have the power--
       ``(i) to appoint and remove the staff director of the 
     Commission;
       ``(ii) to request the assistance (including personnel and 
     facilities) of other agencies and departments of the United 
     States, whose heads may make such assistance available to the 
     Commission with or without reimbursement; and
       ``(iii) to prepare and establish the budget of the 
     Commission and to make budget requests to the President, the 
     Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and 
     Congress.
       ``(B) Other powers.--The Chair of the Commission shall have 
     the power--
       ``(i) to appoint and remove the general counsel of the 
     Commission with the concurrence of at least 2 other members 
     of the Commission;
       ``(ii) to require by special or general orders, any person 
     to submit, under oath, such written reports and answers to 
     questions as the Chair may prescribe;
       ``(iii) to administer oaths or affirmations;
       ``(iv) to require by subpoena, signed by the Chair, the 
     attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of 
     all documentary evidence relating to the execution of its 
     duties;
       ``(v) in any proceeding or investigation, to order 
     testimony to be taken by deposition before any person who is 
     designated by the Chair, and shall have the power to 
     administer oaths and, in such instances, to compel testimony 
     and the production of evidence in the same manner as 
     authorized under clause (iv); and
       ``(vi) to pay witnesses the same fees and mileage as are 
     paid in like circumstances in the courts of the United 
     States.
       ``(2) Powers assigned to commission.--The Commission shall 
     have the power--
       ``(A) to initiate (through civil actions for injunctive, 
     declaratory, or other appropriate relief), defend (in the 
     case of any civil action brought under section 309(a)(8) of 
     this Act) or appeal (including a proceeding before the 
     Supreme Court on certiorari) any civil action in the name of 
     the Commission to enforce the provisions of this Act and 
     chapter 95 and chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986, through its general counsel;
       ``(B) to render advisory opinions under section 308 of this 
     Act;
       ``(C) to develop such prescribed forms and to make, amend, 
     and repeal such rules, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 
     5 of title 5, United States Code, as are necessary to carry 
     out the provisions of this Act and chapter 95 and chapter 96 
     of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
       ``(D) to conduct investigations and hearings expeditiously, 
     to encourage voluntary compliance, and to report apparent 
     violations to the appropriate law enforcement authorities; 
     and
       ``(E) to transmit to the President and Congress not later 
     than June 1 of each year a report which states in detail the 
     activities of the Commission in carrying out its duties under 
     this Act, and which includes any recommendations for any 
     legislative or other action the Commission considers 
     appropriate.
       ``(3) Permitting commission to exercise other powers of 
     chair.--With respect to any investigation, action, or 
     proceeding, the Commission, by an affirmative vote of a 
     majority of the members who are serving at the time, may 
     exercise any of the powers of the Chair described in 
     paragraph (1)(B).''.
       (2) Conforming amendments relating to personnel 
     authority.--Section 306(f) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30106(f)) 
     is amended--
       (A) by amending the first sentence of paragraph (1) to read 
     as follows: ``The Commission shall have a staff director who 
     shall be appointed by the Chair of the Commission in 
     consultation with the other members and a general counsel who 
     shall be appointed by the Chair with the concurrence of at 
     least two other members.'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``With the approval of 
     the Commission'' and inserting ``With the approval of the 
     Chair of the Commission''; and
       (C) by striking paragraph (3).
       (3) Conforming amendment relating to budget submission.--
     Section 307(d)(1) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30107(d)(1)) is 
     amended by striking ``the Commission submits any budget'' and 
     inserting ``the Chair (or, pursuant to subsection (a)(3), the 
     Commission) submits any budget''.
       (4) Other conforming amendments.--Section 306(c) of such 
     Act (52 U.S.C. 30106(c)) is amended by striking ``All 
     decisions'' and inserting ``Subject to section 307(a), all 
     decisions''.
       (5) Technical amendment.--The heading of section 307 of 
     such Act (52 U.S.C. 30107) is amended by striking ``the 
     commission'' and inserting ``the chair and the commission''.

     SEC. 6004. REVISION TO ENFORCEMENT PROCESS.

       (a) Standard for Initiating Investigations and Determining 
     Whether Violations Have Occurred.--
       (1) Revision of standards.--Section 309(a) of the Federal 
     Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)) is amended 
     by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(2)(A) The general counsel, upon receiving a complaint 
     filed with the Commission under paragraph (1) or upon the 
     basis of information ascertained by the Commission in the 
     normal course of carrying out its supervisory 
     responsibilities, shall make a determination as to whether or 
     not there is reason to believe that a person has committed, 
     or is about to commit, a violation of this Act or chapter 95 
     or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and as to 
     whether or not the Commission should either initiate an 
     investigation of the matter or that the complaint should be 
     dismissed. The general counsel shall promptly provide 
     notification to the Commission of such determination and the 
     reasons therefore, together with any written response 
     submitted under paragraph (1) by the person alleged to have 
     committed the violation. Upon the expiration of the 30-day 
     period which begins on the date the general counsel provides 
     such notification, the general counsel's determination shall 
     take effect, unless during such 30-day period the Commission, 
     by vote of a majority of the members of the Commission who 
     are serving at the time, overrules the general counsel's 
     determination. If the determination by the general counsel 
     that the Commission should investigate the matter takes 
     effect, or if the determination by the general counsel that 
     the complaint should be dismissed is overruled as provided 
     under the previous sentence, the general counsel shall 
     initiate an investigation of the matter on behalf of the 
     Commission.
       ``(B) If the Commission initiates an investigation pursuant 
     to subparagraph (A), the Commission, through the Chair, shall 
     notify the subject of the investigation of the alleged 
     violation. Such notification shall set forth the factual 
     basis for such alleged violation. The Commission shall make 
     an investigation of such alleged violation, which may include 
     a field investigation or audit, in accordance with the 
     provisions of this section. The general counsel shall provide 
     notification to the Commission of any intent to issue a 
     subpoena or conduct any other form

[[Page H2467]]

     of discovery pursuant to the investigation. Upon the 
     expiration of the 15-day period which begins on the date the 
     general counsel provides such notification, the general 
     counsel may issue the subpoena or conduct the discovery, 
     unless during such 15-day period the Commission, by vote of a 
     majority of the members of the Commission who are serving at 
     the time, prohibits the general counsel from issuing the 
     subpoena or conducting the discovery.
       ``(3)(A) Upon completion of an investigation under 
     paragraph (2), the general counsel shall promptly submit to 
     the Commission the general counsel's recommendation that the 
     Commission find either that there is probable cause or that 
     there is not probable cause to believe that a person has 
     committed, or is about to commit, a violation of this Act or 
     chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986, and shall include with the recommendation a brief 
     stating the position of the general counsel on the legal and 
     factual issues of the case.
       ``(B) At the time the general counsel submits to the 
     Commission the recommendation under subparagraph (A), the 
     general counsel shall simultaneously notify the respondent of 
     such recommendation and the reasons therefore, shall provide 
     the respondent with an opportunity to submit a brief within 
     30 days stating the position of the respondent on the legal 
     and factual issues of the case and replying to the brief of 
     the general counsel. The general counsel and shall promptly 
     submit such brief to the Commission upon receipt.
       ``(C) Not later than 30 days after the general counsel 
     submits the recommendation to the Commission under 
     subparagraph (A) (or, if the respondent submits a brief under 
     subparagraph (B), not later than 30 days after the general 
     counsel submits the respondent's brief to the Commission 
     under such subparagraph), the Commission shall approve or 
     disapprove the recommendation by vote of a majority of the 
     members of the Commission who are serving at the time.''.
       (2) Conforming amendment relating to initial response to 
     filing of complaint.--Section 309(a)(1) of such Act (52 
     U.S.C. 30109(a)(1)) is amended--
       (A) in the third sentence, by striking ``the Commission'' 
     and inserting ``the general counsel''; and
       (B) by amending the fourth sentence to read as follows: 
     ``Not later than 15 days after receiving notice from the 
     general counsel under the previous sentence, the person may 
     provide the general counsel with a written response that no 
     action should be taken against such person on the basis of 
     the complaint.''.
       (b) Revision of Standard for Review of Dismissal of 
     Complaints.--
       (1) In general.--Section 309(a)(8) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
     30109(a)(8)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(8)(A)(i) Any party aggrieved by an order of the 
     Commission dismissing a complaint filed by such party after 
     finding either no reason to believe a violation has occurred 
     or no probable cause a violation has occurred may file a 
     petition with the United States District Court for the 
     District of Columbia. Any petition under this subparagraph 
     shall be filed within 60 days after the date on which the 
     party received notice of the dismissal of the complaint.
       ``(ii) In any proceeding under this subparagraph, the court 
     shall determine by de novo review whether the agency's 
     dismissal of the complaint is contrary to law. In any matter 
     in which the penalty for the alleged violation is greater 
     than $50,000, the court should disregard any claim or defense 
     by the Commission of prosecutorial discretion as a basis for 
     dismissing the complaint.
       ``(B)(i) Any party who has filed a complaint with the 
     Commission and who is aggrieved by a failure of the 
     Commission, within one year after the filing of the 
     complaint, to either dismiss the complaint or to find reason 
     to believe a violation has occurred or is about to occur, may 
     file a petition with the United States District Court for the 
     District of Columbia.
       ``(ii) In any proceeding under this subparagraph, the court 
     shall treat the failure to act on the complaint as a 
     dismissal of the complaint, and shall determine by de novo 
     review whether the agency's failure to act on the complaint 
     is contrary to law.
       ``(C) In any proceeding under this paragraph the court may 
     declare that the dismissal of the complaint or the failure to 
     act is contrary to law, and may direct the Commission to 
     conform with such declaration within 30 days, failing which 
     the complainant may bring, in the name of such complainant, a 
     civil action to remedy the violation involved in the original 
     complaint.''.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1) 
     shall apply--
       (A) in the case of complaints which are dismissed by the 
     Federal Election Commission, with respect to complaints which 
     are dismissed on or after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act; and
       (B) in the case of complaints upon which the Federal 
     Election Commission failed to act, with respect to complaints 
     which were filed on or after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 6005. PERMITTING APPEARANCE AT HEARINGS ON REQUESTS FOR 
                   ADVISORY OPINIONS BY PERSONS OPPOSING THE 
                   REQUESTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 308 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30108) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e) To the extent that the Commission provides an 
     opportunity for a person requesting an advisory opinion under 
     this section (or counsel for such person) to appear before 
     the Commission to present testimony in support of the 
     request, and the person (or counsel) accepts such 
     opportunity, the Commission shall provide a reasonable 
     opportunity for an interested party who submitted written 
     comments under subsection (d) in response to the request (or 
     counsel for such interested party) to appear before the 
     Commission to present testimony in response to the 
     request.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to requests for advisory opinions 
     under section 308 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
     1971 which are made on or after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 6006. PERMANENT EXTENSION OF ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY 
                   AUTHORITY.

       (a) Extension of Authority.--Section 309(a)(4)(C)(v) of the 
     Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 
     30109(a)(4)(C)(v)), as amended by Public Law 115-386, is 
     amended by striking ``, and that end on or before December 
     31, 2023''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on December 31, 2018.

     SEC. 6007. RESTRICTIONS ON EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS.

       Section 306(e) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 
     (52 U.S.C. 30106(e)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``(e) The Commission'' and inserting 
     ``(e)(1) The Commission''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) Members and employees of the Commission shall be 
     subject to limitations on ex parte communications, as 
     provided in the regulations promulgated by the Commission 
     regarding such communications which are in effect on the date 
     of the enactment of this paragraph.''.

     SEC. 6008. EFFECTIVE DATE; TRANSITION.

       (a) In General.--Except as otherwise provided, the 
     amendments made by this subtitle shall apply beginning 
     January 1, 2022.
       (b) Transition.--
       (1) Termination of service of current members.--
     Notwithstanding any provision of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971, the term of any individual serving as a 
     member of the Federal Election Commission as of December 31, 
     2021, shall expire on that date.
       (2) No effect on existing cases or proceedings.--Nothing in 
     this subtitle or in any amendment made by this subtitle shall 
     affect any of the powers exercised by the Federal Election 
     Commission prior to December 31, 2021, including any 
     investigation initiated by the Commission prior to such date 
     or any proceeding (including any enforcement action) pending 
     as of such date.

         Subtitle B--Stopping Super PAC-Candidate Coordination

     SEC. 6101. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Stop Super PAC-
     Candidate Coordination Act''.

     SEC. 6102. CLARIFICATION OF TREATMENT OF COORDINATED 
                   EXPENDITURES AS CONTRIBUTIONS TO CANDIDATES.

       (a) Treatment as Contribution to Candidate.--Section 
     301(8)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 
     U.S.C. 30101(8)(A)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of clause (i);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of clause (ii) and 
     inserting ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
       ``(iii) any payment made by any person (other than a 
     candidate, an authorized committee of a candidate, or a 
     political committee of a political party) for a coordinated 
     expenditure (as such term is defined in section 326) which is 
     not otherwise treated as a contribution under clause (i) or 
     clause (ii).''.
       (b) Definitions.--Title III of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30101 et 
     seq.), as amended by section 4702(a), is amended by adding at 
     the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 326. PAYMENTS FOR COORDINATED EXPENDITURES.

       ``(a) Coordinated Expenditures.--
       ``(1) In general.--For purposes of section 301(8)(A)(iii), 
     the term `coordinated expenditure' means--
       ``(A) any expenditure, or any payment for a covered 
     communication described in subsection (d), which is made in 
     cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at the request 
     or suggestion of, a candidate, an authorized committee of a 
     candidate, a political committee of a political party, or 
     agents of the candidate or committee, as defined in 
     subsection (b); or
       ``(B) any payment for any communication which republishes, 
     disseminates, or distributes, in whole or in part, any video 
     or broadcast or any written, graphic, or other form of 
     campaign material prepared by the candidate or committee or 
     by agents of the candidate or committee (including any 
     excerpt or use of any video from any such broadcast or 
     written, graphic, or other form of campaign material).
       ``(2) Exception for payments for certain communications.--A 
     payment for a communication (including a covered 
     communication described in subsection (d)) shall not be 
     treated as a coordinated expenditure under this subsection 
     if--
       ``(A) the communication appears in a news story, 
     commentary, or editorial distributed through the facilities 
     of any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, or other 
     periodical publication, unless such facilities are owned or 
     controlled by any political party, political committee, or 
     candidate; or

[[Page H2468]]

       ``(B) the communication constitutes a candidate debate or 
     forum conducted pursuant to regulations adopted by the 
     Commission pursuant to section 304(f)(3)(B)(iii), or which 
     solely promotes such a debate or forum and is made by or on 
     behalf of the person sponsoring the debate or forum.
       ``(b) Coordination Described.--
       ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, a payment 
     is made `in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at 
     the request or suggestion of,' a candidate, an authorized 
     committee of a candidate, a political committee of a 
     political party, or agents of the candidate or committee, if 
     the payment, or any communication for which the payment is 
     made, is not made entirely independently of the candidate, 
     committee, or agents. For purposes of the previous sentence, 
     a payment or communication not made entirely independently of 
     the candidate or committee includes any payment or 
     communication made pursuant to any general or particular 
     understanding with, or pursuant to any communication with, 
     the candidate, committee, or agents about the payment or 
     communication.
       ``(2) No finding of coordination based solely on sharing of 
     information regarding legislative or policy position.--For 
     purposes of this section, a payment shall not be considered 
     to be made by a person in cooperation, consultation, or 
     concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate 
     or committee, solely on the grounds that the person or the 
     person's agent engaged in discussions with the candidate or 
     committee, or with any agent of the candidate or committee, 
     regarding that person's position on a legislative or policy 
     matter (including urging the candidate or committee to adopt 
     that person's position), so long as there is no communication 
     between the person and the candidate or committee, or any 
     agent of the candidate or committee, regarding the 
     candidate's or committee's campaign advertising, message, 
     strategy, policy, polling, allocation of resources, 
     fundraising, or other campaign activities.
       ``(3) No effect on party coordination standard.--Nothing in 
     this section shall be construed to affect the determination 
     of coordination between a candidate and a political committee 
     of a political party for purposes of section 315(d).
       ``(4) No safe harbor for use of firewall.--A person shall 
     be determined to have made a payment in cooperation, 
     consultation, or concert with, or at the request or 
     suggestion of, a candidate or committee, in accordance with 
     this section without regard to whether or not the person 
     established and used a firewall or similar procedures to 
     restrict the sharing of information between individuals who 
     are employed by or who are serving as agents for the person 
     making the payment.
       ``(c) Payments by Coordinated Spenders for Covered 
     Communications.--
       ``(1) Payments made in cooperation, consultation, or 
     concert with candidates.--For purposes of subsection 
     (a)(1)(A), if the person who makes a payment for a covered 
     communication, as defined in subsection (d), is a coordinated 
     spender under paragraph (2) with respect to the candidate as 
     described in subsection (d)(1), the payment for the covered 
     communication is made in cooperation, consultation, or 
     concert with the candidate.
       ``(2) Coordinated spender defined.--For purposes of this 
     subsection, the term `coordinated spender' means, with 
     respect to a candidate or an authorized committee of a 
     candidate, a person (other than a political committee of a 
     political party) for which any of the following applies:
       ``(A) During the 4-year period ending on the date on which 
     the person makes the payment, the person was directly or 
     indirectly formed or established by or at the request or 
     suggestion of, or with the encouragement of, the candidate 
     (including an individual who later becomes a candidate) or 
     committee or agents of the candidate or committee, including 
     with the approval of the candidate or committee or agents of 
     the candidate or committee.
       ``(B) The candidate or committee or any agent of the 
     candidate or committee solicits funds, appears at a 
     fundraising event, or engages in other fundraising activity 
     on the person's behalf during the election cycle involved, 
     including by providing the person with names of potential 
     donors or other lists to be used by the person in engaging in 
     fundraising activity, regardless of whether the person pays 
     fair market value for the names or lists provided. For 
     purposes of this subparagraph, the term `election cycle' 
     means, with respect to an election for Federal office, the 
     period beginning on the day after the date of the most recent 
     general election for that office (or, if the general election 
     resulted in a runoff election, the date of the runoff 
     election) and ending on the date of the next general election 
     for that office (or, if the general election resulted in a 
     runoff election, the date of the runoff election).
       ``(C) The person is established, directed, or managed by 
     the candidate or committee or by any person who, during the 
     4-year period ending on the date on which the person makes 
     the payment, has been employed or retained as a political, 
     campaign media, or fundraising adviser or consultant for the 
     candidate or committee or for any other entity directly or 
     indirectly controlled by the candidate or committee, or has 
     held a formal position with the candidate or committee 
     (including a position as an employee of the office of the 
     candidate at any time the candidate held any Federal, State, 
     or local public office during the 4-year period).
       ``(D) The person has retained the professional services of 
     any person who, during the 2-year period ending on the date 
     on which the person makes the payment, has provided or is 
     providing professional services relating to the campaign to 
     the candidate or committee, without regard to whether the 
     person providing the professional services used a firewall. 
     For purposes of this subparagraph, the term `professional 
     services' includes any services in support of the candidate's 
     or committee's campaign activities, including advertising, 
     message, strategy, policy, polling, allocation of resources, 
     fundraising, and campaign operations, but does not include 
     accounting or legal services.
       ``(E) The person is established, directed, or managed by a 
     member of the immediate family of the candidate, or the 
     person or any officer or agent of the person has had more 
     than incidental discussions about the candidate's campaign 
     with a member of the immediate family of the candidate. For 
     purposes of this subparagraph, the term `immediate family' 
     has the meaning given such term in section 9004(e) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
       ``(d) Covered Communication Defined.--
       ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term 
     `covered communication' means, with respect to a candidate or 
     an authorized committee of a candidate, a public 
     communication (as defined in section 301(22)) which--
       ``(A) expressly advocates the election of the candidate or 
     the defeat of an opponent of the candidate (or contains the 
     functional equivalent of express advocacy);
       ``(B) promotes or supports the election of the candidate, 
     or attacks or opposes the election of an opponent of the 
     candidate (regardless of whether the communication expressly 
     advocates the election or defeat of a candidate or contains 
     the functional equivalent of express advocacy); or
       ``(C) refers to the candidate or an opponent of the 
     candidate but is not described in subparagraph (A) or 
     subparagraph (B), but only if the communication is 
     disseminated during the applicable election period.
       ``(2) Applicable election period.--In paragraph (1)(C), the 
     `applicable election period' with respect to a communication 
     means--
       ``(A) in the case of a communication which refers to a 
     candidate in a general, special, or runoff election, the 120-
     day period which ends on the date of the election; or
       ``(B) in the case of a communication which refers to a 
     candidate in a primary or preference election, or convention 
     or caucus of a political party that has authority to nominate 
     a candidate, the 60-day period which ends on the date of the 
     election or convention or caucus.
       ``(3) Special rules for communications involving 
     congressional candidates.--For purposes of this subsection, a 
     public communication shall not be considered to be a covered 
     communication with respect to a candidate for election for an 
     office other than the office of President or Vice President 
     unless it is publicly disseminated or distributed in the 
     jurisdiction of the office the candidate is seeking.
       ``(e) Penalty.--
       ``(1) Determination of amount.--Any person who knowingly 
     and willfully commits a violation of this Act by making a 
     contribution which consists of a payment for a coordinated 
     expenditure shall be fined an amount equal to the greater 
     of--
       ``(A) in the case of a person who makes a contribution 
     which consists of a payment for a coordinated expenditure in 
     an amount exceeding the applicable contribution limit under 
     this Act, 300 percent of the amount by which the amount of 
     the payment made by the person exceeds such applicable 
     contribution limit; or
       ``(B) in the case of a person who is prohibited under this 
     Act from making a contribution in any amount, 300 percent of 
     the amount of the payment made by the person for the 
     coordinated expenditure.
       ``(2) Joint and several liability.--Any director, manager, 
     or officer of a person who is subject to a penalty under 
     paragraph (1) shall be jointly and severally liable for any 
     amount of such penalty that is not paid by the person prior 
     to the expiration of the 1-year period which begins on the 
     date the Commission imposes the penalty or the 1-year period 
     which begins on the date of the final judgment following any 
     judicial review of the Commission's action, whichever is 
     later.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--
       (1) Repeal of existing regulations on coordination.--
     Effective upon the expiration of the 90-day period which 
     begins on the date of the enactment of this Act--
       (A) the regulations on coordinated communications adopted 
     by the Federal Election Commission which are in effect on the 
     date of the enactment of this Act (as set forth in 11 CFR 
     Part 109, Subpart C, under the heading ``Coordination'') are 
     repealed; and
       (B) the Federal Election Commission shall promulgate new 
     regulations on coordinated communications which reflect the 
     amendments made by this Act.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to payments made on or after the 
     expiration of the 120-day period which begins on the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, without regard to whether or not 
     the Federal Election Commission has promulgated regulations 
     in accordance with paragraph (1)(B) as of the expiration of 
     such period.

[[Page H2469]]

  


     SEC. 6103. CLARIFICATION OF BAN ON FUNDRAISING FOR SUPER PACS 
                   BY FEDERAL CANDIDATES AND OFFICEHOLDERS.

       (a) In General.--Section 323(e)(1) of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30125(e)(1)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (A);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) 
     and inserting ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(C) solicit, receive, direct, or transfer funds to or on 
     behalf of any political committee which accepts donations or 
     contributions that do not comply with the limitations, 
     prohibitions, and reporting requirements of this Act (or to 
     or on behalf of any account of a political committee which is 
     established for the purpose of accepting such donations or 
     contributions), or to or on behalf of any political 
     organization under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code 
     of 1986 which accepts such donations or contributions (other 
     than a committee of a State or local political party or a 
     candidate for election for State or local office).''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to elections occurring after January 
     1, 2020.

                        Subtitle C--Severability

     SEC. 6201. SEVERABILITY.

       If any provision of this title or amendment made by this 
     title, or the application of a provision or amendment to any 
     person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the 
     remainder of this title and amendments made by this title, 
     and the application of the provisions and amendment to any 
     person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.

                           DIVISION C--ETHICS

                      TITLE VII--ETHICAL STANDARDS

                    Subtitle A--Supreme Court Ethics

Sec. 7001. Code of conduct for Federal judges.

                Subtitle B--Foreign Agents Registration

Sec. 7101. Establishment of FARA investigation and enforcement unit 
              within Department of Justice.
Sec. 7102. Authority to impose civil money penalties.
Sec. 7103. Disclosure of transactions involving things of financial 
              value conferred on officeholders.
Sec. 7104. Ensuring online access to registration statements.

                 Subtitle C--Lobbying Disclosure Reform

Sec. 7201. Expanding scope of individuals and activities subject to 
              requirements of Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.

             Subtitle D--Recusal of Presidential Appointees

Sec. 7301. Recusal of appointees.

                        Subtitle E--Severability

Sec. 7401. Severability.

                    Subtitle A--Supreme Court Ethics

     SEC. 7001. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR FEDERAL JUDGES.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 57 of title 28, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 964. Code of conduct

       ``Not later than one year after the date of the enactment 
     of this section, the Judicial Conference shall issue a code 
     of conduct, which applies to each justice and judge of the 
     United States, except that the code of conduct may include 
     provisions that are applicable only to certain categories of 
     judges or justices.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
     57 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding 
     after the item related to section 963 the following:

``964. Code of conduct.''.

                Subtitle B--Foreign Agents Registration

     SEC. 7101. ESTABLISHMENT OF FARA INVESTIGATION AND 
                   ENFORCEMENT UNIT WITHIN DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

       Section 8 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, 
     as amended (22 U.S.C. 618) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new subsection:
       ``(i) Dedicated Enforcement Unit.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of enactment of this subsection, the Attorney General 
     shall establish a unit within the counterespionage section of 
     the National Security Division of the Department of Justice 
     with responsibility for the enforcement of this Act.
       ``(2) Powers.--The unit established under this subsection 
     is authorized to--
       ``(A) take appropriate legal action against individuals 
     suspected of violating this Act; and
       ``(B) coordinate any such legal action with the United 
     States Attorney for the relevant jurisdiction.
       ``(3) Consultation.--In operating the unit established 
     under this subsection, the Attorney General shall, as 
     appropriate, consult with the Director of National 
     Intelligence, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the 
     Secretary of State.
       ``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out the activities of 
     the unit established under this subsection $10,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2019 and each succeeding fiscal year.''.

     SEC. 7102. AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE CIVIL MONEY PENALTIES.

       (a) Establishing Authority.--Section 8 of the Foreign 
     Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended (22 U.S.C. 618) 
     is amended by inserting after subsection (c) the following 
     new subsection:
       ``(d) Civil Money Penalties.--
       ``(1) Registration statements.--Whoever fails to file 
     timely or complete a registration statement as provided under 
     section 2(a) shall be subject to a civil money penalty of not 
     more than $10,000 per violation.
       ``(2) Supplements.--Whoever fails to file timely or 
     complete supplements as provided under section 2(b) shall be 
     subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $1,000 per 
     violation.
       ``(3) Other violations.--Whoever knowingly fails to--
       ``(A) remedy a defective filing within 60 days after notice 
     of such defect by the Attorney General; or
       ``(B) comply with any other provision of this Act,
     shall upon proof of such knowing violation by a preponderance 
     of the evidence, be subject to a civil money penalty of not 
     more than $200,000, depending on the extent and gravity of 
     the violation.
       ``(4) No fines paid by foreign principals.--A civil money 
     penalty paid under paragraph (1) may not be paid, directly or 
     indirectly, by a foreign principal.
       ``(5) Use of fines.--All civil money penalties collected 
     under this subsection shall be used to defray the cost of the 
     enforcement unit established under subsection (i).''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 7103. DISCLOSURE OF TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THINGS OF 
                   FINANCIAL VALUE CONFERRED ON OFFICEHOLDERS.

       (a) Requiring Agents to Disclose Known Transactions.--
       (1) In general.--Section 2(a) of the Foreign Agents 
     Registration Act of 1938, as amended (22 U.S.C. 612(a)) is 
     amended--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (10) and (11) as paragraphs 
     (11) and (12); and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(10) To the extent that the registrant has knowledge of 
     any transaction which occurred in the preceding 60 days and 
     in which the foreign principal for whom the registrant is 
     acting as an agent conferred on a Federal or State 
     officeholder any thing of financial value, including a gift, 
     profit, salary, favorable regulatory treatment, or any other 
     direct or indirect economic or financial benefit, a detailed 
     statement describing each such transaction.''.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1) 
     shall apply with respect to statements filed on or after the 
     expiration of the 90-day period which begins on the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.
       (b) Supplemental Disclosure for Current Registrants.--Not 
     later than the expiration of the 90-day period which begins 
     on the date of the enactment of this Act, each registrant who 
     (prior to the expiration of such period) filed a registration 
     statement with the Attorney General under section 2(a) of the 
     Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended (22 
     U.S.C. 612(a)) and who has knowledge of any transaction 
     described in paragraph (10) of section 2(a) of such Act (as 
     added by subsection (a)(1)) which occurred at any time during 
     which the registrant was an agent of the foreign principal 
     involved, shall file with the Attorney General a supplement 
     to such statement under oath, on a form prescribed by the 
     Attorney General, containing a detailed statement describing 
     each such transaction.

     SEC. 7104. ENSURING ONLINE ACCESS TO REGISTRATION STATEMENTS.

       (a) Requiring Statements Filed by Registrants to Be in 
     Digitized Format.--Section 2(g) of the Foreign Agents 
     Registration Act of 1938, as amended (22 U.S.C. 612(g)) is 
     amended by striking ``in electronic form'' and inserting ``in 
     a digitized format which will enable the Attorney General to 
     meet the requirements of section 6(d)(1) (relating to public 
     access to an electronic database of statements and 
     updates)''.
       (b) Requirements for Electronic Database of Registration 
     Statements and Updates.--Section 6(d)(1) of such Act (22 
     U.S.C. 616(d)(1)) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``to the extent technically practicable,''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``includes the 
     information'' and inserting ``includes in a digitized format 
     the information''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to statements filed on or after the 
     expiration of the 180-day period which begins on the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.

                 Subtitle C--Lobbying Disclosure Reform

     SEC. 7201. EXPANDING SCOPE OF INDIVIDUALS AND ACTIVITIES 
                   SUBJECT TO REQUIREMENTS OF LOBBYING DISCLOSURE 
                   ACT OF 1995.

       (a) Coverage of Individuals Providing Counseling 
     Services.--
       (1) Treatment of counseling services in support of lobbying 
     contacts as lobbying activity.--Section 3(7) of such Act (2 
     U.S.C. 1602(7)) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``efforts'' and inserting ``any efforts''; 
     and
       (B) by striking ``research and other background work'' and 
     inserting the following: ``counseling in support of such 
     preparation and planning activities, research, and other 
     background work''.

[[Page H2470]]

       (2) Treatment of lobbying contact made with support of 
     counseling services as lobbying contact made by individual 
     providing services.--Section 3(8) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 
     1602(8)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(C) Treatment of providers of counseling services.--Any 
     individual, with authority to direct or substantially 
     influence a lobbying contact or contacts made by another 
     individual, and for financial or other compensation provides 
     counseling services in support of preparation and planning 
     activities which are treated as lobbying activities under 
     paragraph (7) for that other individual's lobbying contact or 
     contacts and who has knowledge that the specific lobbying 
     contact or contacts were made, shall be considered to have 
     made the same lobbying contact at the same time and in the 
     same manner to the covered executive branch official or 
     covered legislative branch official involved.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to lobbying contacts made on or 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.

             Subtitle D--Recusal of Presidential Appointees

     SEC. 7301. RECUSAL OF APPOINTEES.

       Section 208 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(e)(1) Any officer or employee appointed by the President 
     shall recuse himself or herself from any particular matter 
     involving specific parties in which a party to that matter 
     is--
       ``(A) the President who appointed the officer or employee, 
     which shall include any entity in which the President has a 
     substantial interest; or
       ``(B) the spouse of the President who appointed the officer 
     or employee, which shall include any entity in which the 
     spouse of the President has a substantial interest.
       ``(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), if an officer or 
     employee is recused under paragraph (1), a career appointee 
     in the agency of the officer or employee shall perform the 
     functions and duties of the officer or employee with respect 
     to the matter.
       ``(B)(i) In this subparagraph, the term `Commission' means 
     a board, commission, or other agency for which the authority 
     of the agency is vested in more than 1 member.
       ``(ii) If the recusal of a member of a Commission from a 
     matter under paragraph (1) would result in there not being a 
     statutorily required quorum of members of the Commission 
     available to participate in the matter, notwithstanding such 
     statute or any other provision of law, the members of the 
     Commission not recused under paragraph (1) may--

       ``(I) consider the matter without regard to the quorum 
     requirement under such statute;
       ``(II) delegate the authorities and responsibilities of the 
     Commission with respect to the matter to a subcommittee of 
     the Commission; or
       ``(III) designate an officer or employee of the Commission 
     who was not appointed by the President who appointed the 
     member of the Commission recused from the matter to exercise 
     the authorities and duties of the recused member with respect 
     to the matter.

       ``(3) Any officer or employee who violates paragraph (1) 
     shall be subject to the penalties set forth in section 216.
       ``(4) For purposes of this section, the term `particular 
     matter' shall have the meaning given the term in section 
     207(i).''.

                        Subtitle E--Severability

     SEC. 7401. SEVERABILITY.

       If any provision of this title or amendment made by this 
     title, or the application of a provision or amendment to any 
     person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the 
     remainder of this title and amendments made by this title, 
     and the application of the provisions and amendment to any 
     person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.

   TITLE VIII--ETHICS REFORMS FOR THE PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, AND 
                     FEDERAL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

           Subtitle A--Executive Branch Conflict of Interest

Sec. 8001. Short title.
Sec. 8002. Restrictions on private sector payment for government 
              service.
Sec. 8003. Requirements relating to slowing the revolving door.
Sec. 8004. Prohibition of procurement officers accepting employment 
              from government contractors.
Sec. 8005. Revolving door restrictions on employees moving into the 
              private sector.

             Subtitle B--Presidential Conflicts of Interest

Sec. 8011. Short title.
Sec. 8012. Divestiture of personal financial interests of the President 
              and Vice President that pose a potential conflict of 
              interest.
Sec. 8013. Initial financial disclosure.
Sec. 8014. Contracts by the President or Vice President.

              Subtitle C--White House Ethics Transparency

Sec. 8021. Short title.
Sec. 8022. Procedure for waivers and authorizations relating to ethics 
              requirements.

            Subtitle D--Executive Branch Ethics Enforcement

Sec. 8031. Short title.
Sec. 8032. Reauthorization of the Office of Government Ethics.
Sec. 8033. Tenure of the Director of the Office of Government Ethics.
Sec. 8034. Duties of Director of the Office of Government Ethics.
Sec. 8035. Agency Ethics Officials Training and Duties.

            Subtitle E--Conflicts From Political Fundraising

Sec. 8041. Short title.
Sec. 8042. Disclosure of certain types of contributions.

                   Subtitle F--Transition Team Ethics

Sec. 8051. Short title.
Sec. 8052. Presidential transition ethics programs.

    Subtitle G--Ethics Pledge For Senior Executive Branch Employees

Sec. 8061. Short title.
Sec. 8062. Ethics pledge requirement for senior executive branch 
              employees.

                        Subtitle H--Severability

Sec. 8071. Severability.

           Subtitle A--Executive Branch Conflict of Interest

     SEC. 8001. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Executive Branch 
     Conflict of Interest Act''.

     SEC. 8002. RESTRICTIONS ON PRIVATE SECTOR PAYMENT FOR 
                   GOVERNMENT SERVICE.

       Section 209 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a),
       (A) by striking ``any salary'' and inserting ``any salary 
     (including a bonus)''; and
       (B) by striking ``as compensation for his services'' and 
     inserting ``at any time, as compensation for serving''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(b)''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), a pension, retirement, 
     group life, health or accident insurance, profit-sharing, 
     stock bonus, or other employee welfare or benefit plan that 
     makes payment of any portion of compensation contingent on 
     accepting a position in the United States Government shall 
     not be considered bona fide.''.

     SEC. 8003. REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO SLOWING THE REVOLVING 
                   DOOR.

       (a) In General.--The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 
     U.S.C. App.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

        ``TITLE VI--ENHANCED REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES

     ``Sec. 601. Definitions

       ``In this title:
       ``(1) Covered agency.--The term `covered agency'--
       ``(A) means an Executive agency, as defined in section 105 
     of title 5, United States Code, the Postal Service and the 
     Postal Rate Commission, but does not include the Government 
     Accountability Office or the Government of the District of 
     Columbia; and
       ``(B) shall include the Executive Office of the President.
       ``(2) Covered employee.--The term `covered employee' means 
     an officer or employee referred to in paragraph (2) of 
     section 207(c) or paragraph (1) of section 207(d) of title 
     18, United States Code.
       ``(3) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of 
     the Office of Government Ethics.
       ``(4) Executive branch.--The term `executive branch' has 
     the meaning given that term in section 109.
       ``(5) Former client.--The term `former client'--
       ``(A) means a person for whom a covered employee served 
     personally as an agent, attorney, or consultant during the 2-
     year period ending on the date before the date on which the 
     covered employee begins service in the Federal Government; 
     and
       ``(B) does not include any agency or instrumentality of the 
     Federal Government.
       ``(6) Former employer.--The term `former employer'--
       ``(A) means a person for whom a covered employee served as 
     an employee, officer, director, trustee, agent, attorney, 
     consultant, or contractor during the 2 year period ending on 
     the date before the date on which the covered employee begins 
     service in the Federal Government; and
       ``(B) does not include--
       ``(i) an entity in the Federal Government, including an 
     executive branch agency;
       ``(ii) a State or local government;
       ``(iii) the District of Columbia;
       ``(iv) an Indian tribe, as defined in section 4 of the 
     Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
     U.S.C. 5304); or
       ``(v) the government of a territory or possession of the 
     United States.
       ``(7) Particular matter.--The term `particular matter' has 
     the meaning given that term in section 207(i) of title 18, 
     United States Code.

     ``Sec. 602. Conflict of interest and eligibility standards

       ``(a) In General.--A covered employee may not participate 
     personally and substantially in a particular matter in which 
     the covered employee knows or reasonably should have known 
     that a former employer or former client of the covered 
     employee has a financial interest.
       ``(b) Waiver.--
       ``(1) In general.--
       ``(A) Agency heads.--With respect to the head of a covered 
     agency who is a covered

[[Page H2471]]

     employee, the Designated Agency Ethics Official for the 
     Executive Office of the President, in consultation with the 
     Director, may grant a written waiver of the restrictions 
     under subsection (a) before the head engages in the action 
     otherwise prohibited by such subsection if the Designated 
     Agency Ethics Official for the Executive Office of the 
     President determines and certifies in writing that, in light 
     of all the relevant circumstances, the interest of the 
     Federal Government in the head's participation outweighs the 
     concern that a reasonable person may question the integrity 
     of the agency's programs or operations.
       ``(B) Other covered employees.--With respect to any covered 
     employee not covered by subparagraph (A), the head of the 
     covered agency employing the covered employee, in 
     consultation with the Director, may grant a written waiver of 
     the restrictions under subsection (a) before the covered 
     employee engages in the action otherwise prohibited by such 
     subsection if the head of the covered agency determines and 
     certifies in writing that, in light of all the relevant 
     circumstances, the interest of the Federal Government in the 
     covered employee's participation outweighs the concern that a 
     reasonable person may question the integrity of the agency's 
     programs or operations.
       ``(2) Publication.--For any waiver granted under paragraph 
     (1), the individual who granted the waiver shall--
       ``(A) provide a copy of the waiver to the Director not less 
     than 48 hours after the waiver is granted; and
       ``(B) publish the waiver on the website of the applicable 
     agency within 30 calendar days after granting such waiver.
       ``(3) Review.--Upon receiving a written waiver under 
     paragraph (1)(A), the Director shall--
       ``(A) review the waiver to determine whether the Director 
     has any objection to the issuance of the waiver; and
       ``(B) if the Director so objects--
       ``(i) provide reasons for the objection in writing to the 
     head of the agency who granted the waiver not less than 15 
     calendar days after the waiver was granted; and
       ``(ii) publish the written objection on the website of the 
     Office of Government Ethics not less than 30 calendar days 
     after the waiver was granted.

     ``Sec. 603. Penalties and injunctions

       ``(a) Criminal Penalties.--
       ``(1) In general.--Any person who violates section 602 
     shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned 
     for not more than 1 year, or both.
       ``(2) Willful violations.--Any person who willfully 
     violates section 602 shall be fined under title 18, United 
     States Code, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.
       ``(b) Civil Enforcement.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Attorney General may bring a civil 
     action in an appropriate district court of the United States 
     against any person who violates, or whom the Attorney General 
     has reason to believe is engaging in conduct that violates, 
     section 602.
       ``(2) Civil penalty.--
       ``(A) In general.--If the court finds by a preponderance of 
     the evidence that a person violated section 602, the court 
     shall impose a civil penalty of not more than the greater 
     of--
       ``(i) $100,000 for each violation; or
       ``(ii) the amount of compensation the person received or 
     was offered for the conduct constituting the violation.
       ``(B) Rule of construction.--A civil penalty under this 
     subsection may be in addition to any other criminal or civil 
     statutory, common law, or administrative remedy available to 
     the United States or any other person.
       ``(3) Injunctive relief.--
       ``(A) In general.--In a civil action brought under 
     paragraph (1) against a person, the Attorney General may 
     petition the court for an order prohibiting the person from 
     engaging in conduct that violates section 602.
       ``(B) Standard.--The court may issue an order under 
     subparagraph (A) if the court finds by a preponderance of the 
     evidence that the conduct of the person violates section 602.
       ``(C) Rule of construction.--The filing of a petition 
     seeking injunctive relief under this paragraph shall not 
     preclude any other remedy that is available by law to the 
     United States or any other person.''.

     SEC. 8004. PROHIBITION OF PROCUREMENT OFFICERS ACCEPTING 
                   EMPLOYMENT FROM GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS.

       (a) Expansion of Prohibition on Acceptance by Former 
     Officials of Compensation From Contractors.--Section 2104 of 
     title 41, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking ``or consultant'' and inserting ``attorney, 
     consultant, subcontractor, or lobbyist''; and
       (ii) by striking ``one year'' and inserting ``2 years''; 
     and
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``personally made for the 
     Federal agency'' and inserting ``participated personally and 
     substantially in''; and
       (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Prohibition on Compensation From Affiliates and 
     Subcontractors.--A former official responsible for a 
     Government contract referred to in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) 
     of subsection (a) may not accept compensation for 2 years 
     after awarding the contract from any division, affiliate, or 
     subcontractor of the contractor.''.
       (b) Requirement for Procurement Officers to Disclose Job 
     Offers Made on Behalf of Relatives.--Section 2103(a) of title 
     41, United States Code, is amended in the matter preceding 
     paragraph (1) by inserting after ``that official'' the 
     following: ``, or for a relative (as defined in section 3110 
     of title 5) of that official,''.
       (c) Requirement on Award of Government Contracts to Former 
     Employers.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 21 of division B of subtitle I of 
     title 41, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new section:

     ``Sec. 2108. Prohibition on involvement by certain former 
       contractor employees in procurements

       ``An employee of the Federal Government may not participate 
     personally and substantially in any award of a contract to, 
     or the administration of a contract awarded to, a contractor 
     that is a former employer of the employee during the 2-year 
     period beginning on the date on which the employee leaves the 
     employment of the contractor.''.
       (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of 
     sections for chapter 21 of title 41, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``2108. Prohibition on involvement by certain former contractor 
              employees in procurements.''.
       (d) Regulations.--The Director of the Office of Government 
     Ethics, in consultation with the Administrator of General 
     Services, shall promulgate regulations to carry out and 
     ensure the enforcement of chapter 21 of title 41, United 
     States Code, as amended by this section.
       (e) Monitoring and Compliance.--The Administrator of 
     General Services, in consultation with designated agency 
     ethics officials (as that term is defined in section 109(3) 
     of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.)), 
     shall monitor compliance with such chapter 21 by individuals 
     and agencies.

     SEC. 8005. REVOLVING DOOR RESTRICTIONS ON EMPLOYEES MOVING 
                   INTO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (c) of section 207 of title 18, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``One-year'' and 
     inserting ``Two-year'';
       (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``1 year'' in each 
     instance and inserting ``2 years''; and
       (3) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``1-year'' and 
     inserting ``2-year''.
       (b) Application.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply to any individual covered by subsection (c) of 
     section 207 of title 18, United States Code, separating from 
     the civil service on or after the date of enactment of this 
     Act.

             Subtitle B--Presidential Conflicts of Interest

     SEC. 8011. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Presidential Conflicts 
     of Interest Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 8012. DIVESTITURE OF PERSONAL FINANCIAL INTERESTS OF THE 
                   PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT THAT POSE A 
                   POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

       (a) In General.--The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 
     U.S.C. App.) is amended by adding after title VI (as added by 
     section 8003) the following:

  ``TITLE VII--DIVESTITURE OF FINANCIAL CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS OF THE 
                      PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

     ``Sec. 701. Divestiture of financial interests posing a 
       conflict of interest

       ``(a) Applicability to the President and Vice-president.--
     The President and Vice-President shall, within 30 days of 
     assuming office, divest of all financial interests that pose 
     a conflict of interest because the President or Vice 
     President, the spouse, dependent child, or general partner of 
     the President or Vice President, or any person or 
     organization with whom the President or Vice President is 
     negotiating or has any arrangement concerning prospective 
     employment, has a financial interest, by--
       ``(1) converting each such interest to cash or other 
     investment that meets the criteria established by the 
     Director of the Office of Government Ethics through 
     regulation as being an interest so remote or inconsequential 
     as not to pose a conflict; or
       ``(2) placing each such interest in a qualified blind trust 
     as defined in section 102(f)(3) or a diversified trust under 
     section 102(f)(4)(B).
       ``(b) Disclosure Exemption.--Subsection (a) shall not apply 
     if the President or Vice President complies with section 
     102.''.
       (b) Additional Disclosures.--Section 102(a) of the Ethics 
     in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) With respect to any such report filed by the 
     President or Vice President, for any corporation, company, 
     firm, partnership, or other business enterprise in which the 
     President, Vice President, or the spouse or dependent child 
     of the President or Vice President, has a significant 
     financial interest--
       ``(A) the name of each other person who holds a significant 
     financial interest in the firm, partnership, association, 
     corporation, or other entity;
       ``(B) the value, identity, and category of each liability 
     in excess of $10,000; and
       ``(C) a description of the nature and value of any assets 
     with a value of $10,000 or more.''.
       (c) Regulations.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of 
     Government Ethics

[[Page H2472]]

     shall promulgate regulations to define the criteria required 
     by section 701(a)(1) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 
     (as added subsection (a)) and the term ``significant 
     financial interest'' for purposes of section 102(a)(9) of the 
     Ethics in Government Act (as added by subsection (b)).

     SEC. 8013. INITIAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

       Subsection (a) of section 101 of the Ethics in Government 
     Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by striking 
     ``position'' and adding at the end the following: ``position, 
     with the exception of the President and Vice President, who 
     must file a new report.''.

     SEC. 8014. CONTRACTS BY THE PRESIDENT OR VICE PRESIDENT.

       (a) Amendment.--Section 431 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in the section heading, by inserting ``the President, 
     Vice President, or a'' after ``Contracts by''; and
       (2) in the first undesignated paragraph, by inserting ``the 
     President or Vice President,'' after ``Whoever, being''.
       (b) Table of Sections Amendment.--The table of sections for 
     chapter 23 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by 
     striking the item relating to section 431 and inserting the 
     following:

``431. Contracts by the President, Vice President, or a Member of 
              Congress.''.

              Subtitle C--White House Ethics Transparency

     SEC. 8021. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``White House Ethics 
     Transparency Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 8022. PROCEDURE FOR WAIVERS AND AUTHORIZATIONS RELATING 
                   TO ETHICS REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, not later than 30 days after an officer or employee 
     issues or approves a waiver or authorization pursuant to 
     section 3 of Executive Order 13770 (82 6 Fed. Reg. 9333), or 
     any subsequent similar order, such officer or employee 
     shall--
       (1) transmit a written copy of such waiver or authorization 
     to the Director of the Office of Government Ethics; and
       (2) make a written copy of such waiver or authorization 
     available to the public on the website of the employing 
     agency of the covered employee.
       (b) Retroactive Application.--In the case of a waiver or 
     authorization described in subsection (a) issued during the 
     period beginning on January 20, 2017, and ending on the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the issuing officer or employee of 
     such waiver or authorization shall comply with the 
     requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of such subsection not 
     later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (c) Office of Government Ethics Public Availability.--Not 
     later than 30 days after receiving a written copy of a waiver 
     or authorization under subsection (a)(1), the Director of the 
     Office of Government Ethics shall make such waiver or 
     authorization available to the public on the website of the 
     Office of Government Ethics.
       (d) Definition of Covered Employee.--In this section, the 
     term ``covered employee''--
       (1) means a non-career Presidential or Vice Presidential 
     appointee, non-career appointee in the Senior Executive 
     Service (or other SES-type system), or an appointee to a 
     position that has been excepted from the competitive service 
     by reason of being of a confidential or policymaking 
     character (Schedule C and other positions excepted under 
     comparable criteria) in an executive agency; and
       (2) does not include any individual appointed as a member 
     of the Senior Foreign Service or solely as a uniformed 
     service commissioned officer.

            Subtitle D--Executive Branch Ethics Enforcement

     SEC. 8031. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Executive Branch 
     Comprehensive Ethics Enforcement Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 8032. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT 
                   ETHICS.

       Section 405 of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 
     U.S.C. App.) is amended by striking ``fiscal year 2007'' and 
     inserting ``fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

     SEC. 8033. TENURE OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT 
                   ETHICS.

       Section 401(b) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 
     U.S.C. App.) is amended by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``, subject to removal only for inefficiency, 
     neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. The Director may 
     continue to serve beyond the expiration of the term until a 
     successor is appointed and has qualified, except that the 
     Director may not continue to serve for more than one year 
     after the date on which the term would otherwise expire under 
     this subsection.''.

     SEC. 8034. DUTIES OF DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT 
                   ETHICS.

       (a) In General.--Section 402(a) of the Ethics in Government 
     Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended in paragraph (1) by 
     striking ``, in consultation with the Office of Personnel 
     Management,''.
       (b) Responsibilities of the Director.--Section 402(b) of 
     the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``developing, in consultation with the 
     Attorney General and the Office of Personnel Management, 
     rules and regulations to be promulgated by the President or 
     the Director'' and inserting ``developing and promulgating 
     rules and regulations''; and
       (B) by striking ``title II'' and inserting ``title I'';
       (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
       ``(2) providing mandatory education and training programs 
     for designated agency ethics officials, which may be 
     delegated to each agency or the White House Counsel as deemed 
     appropriate by the Director;'';
       (3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``title II'' and 
     inserting ``title I'';
       (4) in paragraph (4), by striking ``problems'' and 
     inserting ``issues'';
       (5) in paragraph (6)--
       (A) by striking ``issued by the President or the 
     Director''; and
       (B) by striking ``problems'' and inserting ``issues'';
       (6) in paragraph (7)--
       (A) by striking ``, when requested,''; and
       (B) by striking ``conflict of interest problems'' and 
     inserting ``conflicts of interest, as well as other ethics 
     issues'';
       (7) in paragraph (9)--
       (A) by striking ``ordering'' and inserting ``receiving 
     allegations of violations of this Act or regulations of the 
     Office of Government Ethics and, when necessary, 
     investigating an allegation to determine whether a violation 
     occurred, and ordering''; and
       (B) by inserting before the semi-colon the following: ``, 
     and recommending appropriate disciplinary action'';
       (8) in paragraph (12)--
       (A) by striking ``evaluating, with the assistance of'' and 
     inserting ``promulgating, with input from'';
       (B) by striking ``the need for'';
       (C) by striking ``conflict of interest and ethical 
     problems'' and inserting ``conflict of interest and ethics 
     issues'';
       (9) in paragraph (13)--
       (A) by striking ``with the Attorney General'' and inserting 
     ``with the Inspectors General and the Attorney General'';
       (B) by striking ``violations of the conflict of interest 
     laws'' and inserting ``conflict of interest issues and 
     allegations of violations of ethics laws and regulations and 
     this Act''; and
       (C) by striking ``, as required by section 535 of title 28, 
     United States Code'';
       (10) in paragraph (14), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (11) in paragraph (15)--
       (A) by striking ``, in consultation with the Office of 
     Personnel Management,'';
       (B) by striking ``title II'' and inserting ``title I''; and
       (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting a 
     semicolon; and
       (12) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(16) directing and providing final approval, when 
     determined appropriate by the Director, for designated agency 
     ethics officials regarding the resolution of conflicts of 
     interest as well as any other ethics issues under the purview 
     of this Act in individual cases; and
       ``(17) reviewing and approving, when determined appropriate 
     by the Director, any recusals, exemptions, or waivers from 
     the conflicts of interest and ethics laws, rules, and 
     regulations and making approved recusals, exemptions, and 
     waivers made publicly available by the relevant agency 
     available in a central location on the official website of 
     the Office of Government Ethics.''.
       (c) Written Procedures.--Paragraph (1) of section 402(d) of 
     the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``, by the exercise of any authority 
     otherwise available to the Director under this title,'';
       (2) by striking ``the agency is''; and
       (3) by inserting after ``filed by'' the following: ``, or 
     written documentation of recusals, waivers, or ethics 
     authorizations relating to,''.
       (d) Corrective Actions.--Section 402(f) of the Ethics in 
     Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in clause (i) of subparagraph (A), by striking ``of 
     such agency''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting at the end ``and 
     determine that a violation of this Act has occurred and issue 
     appropriate administrative or legal remedies as prescribed in 
     paragraph (2)'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) in clause (ii)--

       (I) in subclause (I)--

       (aa) by inserting ``to the President or the President's 
     designee if the matter involves employees of the Executive 
     Office of the President or'' after ``may recommend'';
       (bb) by striking ``and'' at the end; and

       (II) in subclause (II)--

       (aa) by inserting ``President or'' after ``determines that 
     the''; and
       (bb) by adding ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in subclause (II) of clause (iii)--

       (I) by striking ``notify, in writing,'' and inserting 
     ``advise the President or order'';
       (II) by inserting ``to take appropriate disciplinary action 
     including reprimand, suspension, demotion, or dismissal 
     against the officer or employee (provided, however, that any 
     order issued by the Director shall not affect an employee's 
     right to appeal a disciplinary action under applicable law, 
     regulation, collective bargaining agreement, or contractual 
     provision)'' after ``employee's agency''; and
       (III) by striking ``of the officer's or employee's 
     noncompliance, except that, if the

[[Page H2473]]

     officer or employee involved is the agency head, the 
     notification shall instead be submitted to the President and 
     Congress and''; and

       (iii) by striking clause (iv);
       (B) in subparagraph (B)(i)--
       (i) by striking ``subparagraph (A)(iii) or (iv)'' and 
     inserting ``subparagraph (A)'';
       (ii) by inserting ``(I)'' before ``In order to''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(II)(aa) The Director may secure directly from any agency 
     information necessary to enable the Director to carry out 
     this Act. Upon request of the Director, the head of such 
     agency shall furnish that information to the Director.
       ``(bb) The Director may require by subpoena the production 
     of all information, documents, reports, answers, records, 
     accounts, papers, and other data in any medium and 
     documentary evidence necessary in the performance of the 
     functions assigned by this Act, which subpoena, in the case 
     of refusal to obey, shall be enforceable by order of any 
     appropriate United States district court.'';
       (C) in subparagraph (B)(ii)(I)--
       (i) by striking ``Subject to clause (iv) of this 
     subparagraph, before'' and inserting ``Before''; and
       (ii) by striking ``subparagraphs (A) (iii) or (iv)'' and 
     inserting ``subparagraph (A)(iii)'';
       (D) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking ``Subject to 
     clause (iv) of this subparagraph, before'' and inserting 
     ``Before''; and
       (E) in subparagraph (B)(iv)--
       (i) by striking ``title 2'' and inserting ``title I''; and
       (ii) by striking ``section 206'' and inserting ``section 
     106''; and
       (3) in paragraph (4), by striking ``(iv),''.
       (e) Definitions.--Section 402 of the Ethics in Government 
     Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(g) For purposes of this title--
       ``(1) the term `agency' shall include the Executive Office 
     of the President; and
       ``(2) the term `officer or employee' shall include any 
     individual occupying a position, providing any official 
     services, or acting in an advisory capacity, in the White 
     House or the Executive Office of the President.
       ``(h) In this title, a reference to the head of an agency 
     shall include the President or the President's designee.
       ``(i) The Director shall not be required to obtain the 
     prior approval, comment, or review of any officer or agency 
     of the United States, including the Office of Management and 
     Budget, before submitting to Congress, or any committee or 
     subcommittee thereof, any information, reports, 
     recommendations, testimony, or comments, if such submissions 
     include a statement indicating that the views expressed 
     therein are those of the Director and do not necessarily 
     represent the views of the President.''.

     SEC. 8035. AGENCY ETHICS OFFICIALS TRAINING AND DUTIES.

       (a) In General.--Section 403 of the Ethics in Government 
     Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by adding a period at the end of the 
     matter following paragraph (2); and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c)(1) All designated agency ethics officials and 
     alternate designated agency ethics officials shall register 
     with the Director as well as with the appointing authority of 
     the official.
       ``(2) The Director shall provide ethics education and 
     training to all designated and alternate designated agency 
     ethics officials in a time and manner deemed appropriate by 
     the Director.
       ``(3) Each designated agency ethics official and each 
     alternate designated agency ethics official shall biannually 
     attend ethics education and training, as provided by the 
     Director under paragraph (2).
       ``(d) Each Designated Agency Ethics Official, including the 
     Designated Agency Ethics Official for the Executive Office of 
     the President--
       ``(1) shall provide to the Director, in writing, in a 
     searchable, sortable, and downloadable format, all approvals, 
     authorizations, certifications, compliance reviews, 
     determinations, directed divestitures, public financial 
     disclosure reports, notices of deficiency in compliance, 
     records related to the approval or acceptance of gifts, 
     recusals, regulatory or statutory advisory opinions, waivers, 
     including waivers under section 207 or 208 of title 18, 
     United States Code, and any other records designated by the 
     Director, unless disclosure is prohibited by law;
       ``(2) shall, for all information described in paragraph (1) 
     that is permitted to be disclosed to the public under law, 
     make the information available to the public by publishing 
     the information on the website of the Office of Government 
     Ethics, providing a link to download an electronic copy of 
     the information, or providing printed paper copies of such 
     information to the public; and
       ``(3) may charge a reasonable fee for the cost of providing 
     paper copies of the information pursuant to paragraph (2).
       ``(e)(1) For all information that is provided by an agency 
     to the Director under paragraph (1) of subsection (d), the 
     Director shall make the information available to the public 
     in a searchable, sortable, downloadable format by publishing 
     the information on the website of the Office of Government 
     Ethics or providing a link to download an electronic copy of 
     the information.
       ``(2) The Director may, upon request, provide printed paper 
     copies of the information published under paragraph (1) and 
     charge a reasonable fee for the cost of printing such 
     copies.''.
       (b) Repeal.--Section 408 of the Ethics in Government Act of 
     1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is hereby repealed.

            Subtitle E--Conflicts From Political Fundraising

     SEC. 8041. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Conflicts from 
     Political Fundraising Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 8042. DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN TYPES OF CONTRIBUTIONS.

       (a) Definitions.--Section 109 of the Ethics in Government 
     Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (19) as 
     paragraphs (5) through (22), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) `covered contribution' means a payment, advance, 
     forbearance, rendering, or deposit of money, or any thing of 
     value--
       ``(A)(i) that--
       ``(I) is--

       ``(aa) made by or on behalf of a covered individual; or
       ``(bb) solicited in writing by or at the request of a 
     covered individual; and

       ``(II) is made--

       ``(aa) to a political organization, as defined in section 
     527 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
       ``(bb) to an organization--

       ``(AA) that is described in paragraph (4) or (6) of section 
     501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from 
     tax under section 501(a) of such Code; and
       ``(BB) that promotes or opposes changes in Federal laws or 
     regulations that are (or would be) administered by the agency 
     in which the covered individual has been nominated for 
     appointment to a covered position or is serving in a covered 
     position; or
       ``(ii) that is--
       ``(I) solicited in writing by or on behalf of a covered 
     individual; and
       ``(II) made--

       ``(aa) by an individual or entity the activities of which 
     are subject to Federal laws or regulations that are (or would 
     be) administered by the agency in which the covered 
     individual has been nominated for appointment to a covered 
     position or is serving in a covered position; and
       ``(bb) to--

       ``(AA) a political organization, as defined in section 527 
     of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
       ``(BB) an organization that is described in paragraph (4) 
     or (6) of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
     and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code; and
       ``(B) that is made to an organization described in item 
     (aa) or (bb) of clause (i)(II) or clause (ii)(II)(bb) of 
     subparagraph (A) for which the total amount of such payments, 
     advances, forbearances, renderings, or deposits of money, or 
     any thing of value, during the calendar year in which it is 
     made is not less than the contribution limitation in effect 
     under section 315(a)(1)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign 
     Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116(a)(1)(A)) for elections 
     occurring during such calendar year;
       ``(3) `covered individual' means an individual who has been 
     nominated or appointed to a covered position; and
       ``(4) `covered position'--
       ``(A) means--
       ``(i) a position described under sections 5312 through 5316 
     of title 5, United States Code;
       ``(ii) a position placed in level IV or V of the Executive 
     Schedule under section 5317 of title 5, United States Code;
       ``(iii) a position as a limited term appointee, limited 
     emergency appointee, or noncareer appointee in the Senior 
     Executive Service, as defined under paragraphs (5), (6), and 
     (7), respectively, of section 3132(a) of title 5, United 
     States Code; and
       ``(iv) a position in the executive branch of the Government 
     of a confidential or policy-determining character under 
     schedule C of subpart C of part 213 of title 5 of the Code of 
     Federal Regulations; and
       ``(B) does not include a position if the individual serving 
     in the position has been excluded from the application of 
     section 101(f)(5);''.
       (b) Disclosure Requirements.--The Ethics in Government Act 
     of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended--
       (1) in section 101--
       (A) in subsection (a)--
       (i) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``Within'';
       (ii) by striking ``unless'' and inserting ``and, if the 
     individual is assuming a covered position, the information 
     described in section 102(j), except that, subject to 
     paragraph (2), the individual shall not be required to file a 
     report if''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) If an individual has left a position described in 
     subsection (f) that is not a covered position and, within 30 
     days, assumes a position that is a covered position, the 
     individual shall, within 30 days of assuming the covered 
     position, file a report containing the information described 
     in section 102(j)(2)(A).'';
       (B) in subsection (b)(1), in the first sentence, by 
     inserting ``and the information required by section 102(j)'' 
     after ``described in section 102(b)'';
       (C) in subsection (d), by inserting ``and, if the 
     individual is serving in a covered position, the information 
     required by section 102(j)(2)(A)'' after ``described in 
     section 102(a)''; and

[[Page H2474]]

       (D) in subsection (e), by inserting ``and, if the 
     individual was serving in a covered position, the information 
     required by section 102(j)(2)(A)'' after ``described in 
     section 102(a)''; and
       (2) in section 102--
       (A) in subsection (g), by striking ``Political campaign 
     funds'' and inserting ``Except as provided in subsection (j), 
     political campaign funds''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(j)(1) In this subsection--
       ``(A) the term `applicable period' means--
       ``(i) with respect to a report filed pursuant to subsection 
     (a) or (b) of section 101, the year of filing and the 4 
     calendar years preceding the year of the filing; and
       ``(ii) with respect to a report filed pursuant to 
     subsection (d) or (e) of section 101, the preceding calendar 
     year; and
       ``(B) the term `covered gift' means a gift that--
       ``(i) is made to a covered individual, the spouse of a 
     covered individual, or the dependent child of a covered 
     individual;
       ``(ii) is made by an entity described in item (aa) or (bb) 
     of section 109(2)(A)(i)(II); and
       ``(iii) would have been required to be reported under 
     subsection (a)(2) if the covered individual had been required 
     to file a report under section 101(d) with respect to the 
     calendar year during which the gift was made.
       ``(2)(A) A report filed pursuant to subsection (a), (b), 
     (d), or (e) of section 101 by a covered individual shall 
     include, for each covered contribution during the applicable 
     period--
       ``(i) the date on which the covered contribution was made;
       ``(ii) if applicable, the date or dates on which the 
     covered contribution was solicited;
       ``(iii) the value of the covered contribution;
       ``(iv) the name of the person making the covered 
     contribution; and
       ``(v) the name of the person receiving the covered 
     contribution.
       ``(B)(i) Subject to clause (ii), a covered contribution 
     made by or on behalf of, or that was solicited in writing by 
     or on behalf of, a covered individual shall constitute a 
     conflict of interest, or an appearance thereof, with respect 
     to the official duties of the covered individual.
       ``(ii) The Director of the Office of Government Ethics may 
     exempt a covered contribution from the application of clause 
     (i) if the Director determines the circumstances of the 
     solicitation and making of the covered contribution do not 
     present a risk of a conflict of interest and the exemption of 
     the covered contribution would not affect adversely the 
     integrity of the Government or the public's confidence in the 
     integrity of the Government.
       ``(3) A report filed pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of 
     section 101 by a covered individual shall include the 
     information described in subsection (a)(2) with respect to 
     each covered gift received during the applicable period.''.
       (c) Provision of Reports and Ethics Agreements to 
     Congress.--Section 105 of the Ethics in Government Act of 
     1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(e) Not later than 30 days after receiving a written 
     request from the Chairman or Ranking Member of a committee or 
     subcommittee of either House of Congress, the Director of the 
     Office of Government Ethics shall provide to the Chairman and 
     Ranking Member each report filed under this title by the 
     covered individual and any ethics agreement entered into 
     between the agency and the covered individual.''.
       (d) Rules on Ethics Agreements.--The Director of the Office 
     of Government Ethics shall promptly issue rules regarding how 
     an agency in the executive branch shall address information 
     required to be disclosed under the amendments made by this 
     subtitle in drafting ethics agreements between the agency and 
     individuals appointed to positions in the agency.
       (e) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is 
     amended--
       (A) in section 101(f)--
       (i) in paragraph (9), by striking ``section 109(12)'' and 
     inserting ``section 109(15)'';
       (ii) in paragraph (10), by striking ``section 109(13)'' and 
     inserting ``section 109(16)'';
       (iii) in paragraph (11), by striking ``section 109(10)'' 
     and inserting ``section 109(13)''; and
       (iv) in paragraph (12), by striking ``section 109(8)'' and 
     inserting ``section 109(11)'';
       (B) in section 103(l)--
       (i) in paragraph (9), by striking ``section 109(12)'' and 
     inserting ``section 109(15)''; and
       (ii) in paragraph (10), by striking ``section 109(13)'' and 
     inserting ``section 109(16)''; and
       (C) in section 105(b)(3)(A), by striking ``section 109(8) 
     or 109(10)'' and inserting ``section 109(11) or 109(13)''.
       (2) Section 3(4)(D) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 
     (2 U.S.C. 1602(4)(D)) is amended by striking ``section 
     109(13)'' and inserting ``section 109(16)''.
       (3) Section 21A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 
     U.S.C. 78u-1) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (g)(2)(B)(ii), by striking ``section 
     109(11) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
     App. 109(11)))'' and inserting ``section 109 of the Ethics in 
     Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.))''; and
       (B) in subsection (h)(2)--
       (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``section 109(8) of 
     the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App. 109(8))'' 
     and inserting ``section 109 of the Ethics in Government Act 
     of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.)''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``section 109(10) of 
     the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App. 
     109(10))'' and inserting ``section 109 of the Ethics in 
     Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.)''.
       (4) Section 499(j)(2) of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 290b(j)(2)) is amended by striking ``section 109(16) 
     of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978'' and inserting 
     ``section 109 of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 
     U.S.C. App.)''.

                   Subtitle F--Transition Team Ethics

     SEC. 8051. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Transition Team Ethics 
     Improvement Act''.

     SEC. 8052. PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION ETHICS PROGRAMS.

       The Presidential Transition Act of 1963 (3 U.S.C. 102 note) 
     is amended--
       (1) in section 3(f), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Not later than 10 days after submitting an 
     application for a security clearance for any individual, and 
     not later than 10 days after any such individual is granted a 
     security clearance (including an interim clearance), each 
     eligible candidate (as that term is described in subsection 
     (h)(4)(A)) or the President-elect (as the case may be) shall 
     submit a report containing the name of such individual to the 
     Committee on Oversight and Reform of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate.'';
       (2) in section 4--
       (A) in subsection (a)--
       (i) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
       (iii) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
       ``(4) the term `nonpublic information'--
       ``(A) means information from the Federal Government that a 
     transition team member obtains as part of the employment of 
     such member that the member knows or reasonably should know 
     has not been made available to the general public; and
       ``(B) includes information that has not been released to 
     the public that a transition team member knows or reasonably 
     should know--
       ``(i) is exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 
     5, United States Code, or otherwise protected from disclosure 
     by law; and
       ``(ii) is not authorized by the appropriate agency or 
     official to be released to the public; and''; and
       (B) in subsection (g)--
       (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``November'' and 
     inserting ``October''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Ethics plan.--
       ``(A) In general.--Each memorandum of understanding under 
     paragraph (1) shall include an agreement that the eligible 
     candidate will implement and enforce an ethics plan to guide 
     the conduct of the transition beginning on the date on which 
     the eligible candidate becomes the President-elect.
       ``(B) Contents.--The ethics plan shall include, at a 
     minimum--
       ``(i) a description of the ethics requirements that will 
     apply to all transition team members, including specific 
     requirements for transition team members who will have access 
     to nonpublic or classified information;
       ``(ii) a description of how the transition team will--

       ``(I) address the role on the transition team of--

       ``(aa) registered lobbyists under the Lobbying Disclosure 
     Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) and individuals who were 
     formerly registered lobbyists under that Act;
       ``(bb) persons registered under the Foreign Agents 
     Registration Act, as amended (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.), foreign 
     nationals, and other foreign agents; and
       ``(cc) transition team members with sources of income or 
     clients that are not disclosed to the public;

       ``(II) prohibit a transition team member with personal 
     financial conflicts of interest as described in section 208 
     of title 18, United States Code, from working on particular 
     matters involving specific parties that affect the interests 
     of such member; and
       ``(III) address how the covered eligible candidate will 
     address their own personal financial conflicts of interest 
     during a Presidential term if the covered eligible candidate 
     becomes the President-elect;

       ``(iii) a Code of Ethical Conduct, to which each transition 
     team member will sign and be subject to, that reflects the 
     content of the ethics plans under this paragraph and at a 
     minimum requires each transition team member to--

       ``(I) seek authorization from transition team leaders or 
     their designees before seeking, on behalf of the transition, 
     access to any nonpublic information;
       ``(II) keep confidential any nonpublic information provided 
     in the course of the duties of the member with the transition 
     and exclusively use such information for the purposes of the 
     transition; and
       ``(III) not use any nonpublic information provided in the 
     course of transition duties, in any manner, for personal or 
     private gain for the member or any other party at any time 
     during or after the transition; and

       ``(iv) a description of how the transition team will 
     enforce the Code of Ethical Conduct, including the names of 
     the transition team members responsible for enforcement, 
     oversight, and compliance.

[[Page H2475]]

       ``(C) Publicly available.--The transition team shall make 
     the ethics plan described in this paragraph publicly 
     available on the website of the General Services 
     Administration the earlier of--
       ``(i) the day on which the memorandum of understanding is 
     completed; or
       ``(ii) October 1.''; and
       (3) in section 6(b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) a list of all positions each transition team member 
     has held outside the Federal Government for the previous 12-
     month period, including paid and unpaid positions;
       ``(D) sources of compensation for each transition team 
     member exceeding $5,000 a year for the previous 12-month 
     period;
       ``(E) a description of the role of each transition team 
     member, including a list of any policy issues that the member 
     expects to work on, and a list of agencies the member expects 
     to interact with, while serving on the transition team;
       ``(F) a list of any issues from which each transition team 
     member will be recused while serving as a member of the 
     transition team pursuant to the transition team ethics plan 
     outlined in section 4(g)(3); and
       ``(G) an affirmation that no transition team member has a 
     financial conflict of interest that precludes the member from 
     working on the matters described in subparagraph (E).'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``not later than 2 
     business days'' after ``public''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) The head of a Federal department or agency, or their 
     designee, shall not permit access to the Federal department 
     or agency, or employees of such department or agency, that 
     would not be provided to a member of the public for any 
     transition team member who does not make the disclosures 
     listed under paragraph (1).''.

    Subtitle G--Ethics Pledge For Senior Executive Branch Employees

     SEC. 8061. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Ethics in Public 
     Service Act''.

     SEC. 8062. ETHICS PLEDGE REQUIREMENT FOR SENIOR EXECUTIVE 
                   BRANCH EMPLOYEES.

       The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App. 101 et 
     seq.) is amended by inserting after title I the following new 
     title:

                       ``TITLE II--ETHICS PLEDGE

     ``SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.

       ``For the purposes of this title, the following definitions 
     apply:
       ``(1) The term `executive agency' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 105 of title 5, United States Code, and 
     includes the Executive Office of the President, the United 
     States Postal Service, and Postal Regulatory Commission, but 
     does not include the Government Accountability Office.
       ``(2) The term `appointee' means any noncareer Presidential 
     or Vice-Presidential appointee, noncareer appointee in the 
     Senior Executive Service (or other SES-type system), or 
     appointee to a position that has been excepted from the 
     competitive service by reason of being of a confidential or 
     policymaking character (Schedule C and other positions 
     excepted under comparable criteria) in an executive agency, 
     but does not include any individual appointed as a member of 
     the Senior Foreign Service or solely as a uniformed service 
     commissioned officer.
       ``(3) The term `gift'--
       ``(A) has the meaning given that term in section 
     2635.203(b) of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (or any 
     successor regulation); and
       ``(B) does not include those items excluded by sections 
     2635.204(b), (c), (e)(1), (e)(3), (j), (k), and (l) of such 
     title 5.
       ``(4) The term `covered executive branch official' and 
     `lobbyist' have the meanings given those terms in section 3 
     of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1602).
       ``(5) The term `registered lobbyist or lobbying 
     organization' means a lobbyist or an organization filing a 
     registration pursuant to section 4(a) of the Lobbying 
     Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1603(a)), and in the case of 
     an organization filing such a registration, `registered 
     lobbyist' includes each of the lobbyists identified therein.
       ``(6) The term `lobby' and `lobbied' mean to act or have 
     acted as a registered lobbyist.
       ``(7) The term `former employer'--
       ``(A) means a person or entity for whom an appointee served 
     as an employee, officer, director, trustee, partner, agent, 
     attorney, consultant, or contractor during the 2-year period 
     ending on the date before the date on which the covered 
     employee begins service in the Federal Government; and
       ``(B) does not include--
       ``(i) an agency or instrumentality of the Federal 
     Government;
       ``(ii) a State or local government;
       ``(iii) the District of Columbia;
       ``(iv) an Indian tribe, as defined in section 4 of the 
     Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
     U.S.C. 5304); or
       ``(v) the government of a territory or possession of the 
     United States.
       ``(8) The term `former client' means a person or entity for 
     whom an appointee served personally as agent, attorney, or 
     consultant during the 2-year period ending on the date before 
     the date on which the covered employee begins service in the 
     Federal Government, but does not include an agency or 
     instrumentality of the Federal Government;
       ``(9) The term `directly and substantially related to my 
     former employer or former clients' means matters in which the 
     appointee's former employer or a former client is a party or 
     represents a party.
       ``(10) The term `participate' means to participate 
     personally and substantially.
       ``(11) The term `post-employment restrictions' includes the 
     provisions and exceptions in section 207(c) of title 18, 
     United States Code, and the implementing regulations.
       ``(12) The term `Government official' means any employee of 
     the executive branch.
       ``(13) The term `Administration' means all terms of office 
     of the incumbent President serving at the time of the 
     appointment of an appointee covered by this title.
       ``(14) The term `pledge' means the ethics pledge set forth 
     in section 202 of this title.
       ``(15) All references to provisions of law and regulations 
     shall refer to such provisions as in effect on the date of 
     enactment of this title.

     ``SEC. 202. ETHICS PLEDGE.

       ``Each appointee in every executive agency appointed on or 
     after the date of enactment of this section shall be required 
     to sign an ethics pledge upon appointment. The pledge shall 
     be signed and dated within 30 days of taking office and shall 
     include, at a minimum, the following elements:
       `` `As a condition, and in consideration, of my employment 
     in the United States Government in a position invested with 
     the public trust, I commit myself to the following 
     obligations, which I understand are binding on me and are 
     enforceable under law:
       `` `(1) Lobbyist Gift Ban.--I will not accept gifts from 
     registered lobbyists or lobbying organizations for the 
     duration of my service as an appointee.
       `` `(2) Revolving Door Ban; Entering Government.--
       `` `(A) All Appointees Entering Government.--I will not, 
     for a period of 2 years from the date of my appointment, 
     participate in any particular matter involving specific party 
     or parties that is directly and substantially related to my 
     former employer or former clients, including regulations and 
     contracts.
       `` `(B) Lobbyists Entering Government.--If I was a 
     registered lobbyist within the 2 years before the date of my 
     appointment, in addition to abiding by the limitations of 
     subparagraph (A), I will not for a period of 2 years after 
     the date of my appointment:
       `` `(i) participate in any particular matter on which I 
     lobbied within the 2 years before the date of my appointment;
       `` `(ii) participate in the specific issue area in which 
     that particular matter falls; or
       `` `(iii) seek or accept employment with any executive 
     agency that I lobbied within the 2 years before the date of 
     my appointment.
       `` `(3) Revolving Door Ban; Appointees Leaving 
     Government.--
       `` `(A) All Appointees Leaving Government.--If, upon my 
     departure from the Government, I am covered by the post-
     employment restrictions on communicating with employees of my 
     former executive agency set forth in section 207(c) of title 
     18, United States Code, I agree that I will abide by those 
     restrictions for a period of 2 years following the end of my 
     appointment.
       `` `(B) Appointees Leaving Government to Lobby.--In 
     addition to abiding by the limitations of subparagraph (A), I 
     also agree, upon leaving Government service, not to lobby any 
     covered executive branch official or noncareer Senior 
     Executive Service appointee for the remainder of the 
     Administration.
       `` `(4) Employment Qualification Commitment.--I agree that 
     any hiring or other employment decisions I make will be based 
     on the candidate's qualifications, competence, and 
     experience.
       `` `(5) Assent to Enforcement.--I acknowledge that title II 
     of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, which I have read 
     before signing this document, defines certain of the terms 
     applicable to the foregoing obligations and sets forth the 
     methods for enforcing them. I expressly accept the provisions 
     of that title as a part of this agreement and as binding on 
     me. I understand that the terms of this pledge are in 
     addition to any statutory or other legal restrictions 
     applicable to me by virtue of Federal Government service.' 
     ''.

     ``SEC. 203. WAIVER.

       ``(a) The President or the President's designee may grant 
     to any current or former appointee a written waiver of any 
     restrictions contained in the pledge signed by such appointee 
     if, and to the extent that, the President or the President's 
     designee certifies (in writing) that, in light of all the 
     relevant circumstances, the interest of the Federal 
     Government in the employee's participation outweighs the 
     concern that a reasonable person may question the integrity 
     of the agency's programs or operations.
       ``(b) Any waiver under this section shall take effect when 
     the certification is signed by the President or the 
     President's designee.
       ``(c) For purposes of subsection (a)(2), the public 
     interest shall include exigent circumstances relating to 
     national security or to the economy. De minimis contact with 
     an executive agency shall be cause for a waiver of the 
     restrictions contained in paragraph (2)(B) of the pledge.
       ``(d) For any waiver granted under this section, the 
     individual who granted the waiver shall--

[[Page H2476]]

       ``(1) provide a copy of the waiver to the Director not less 
     than 48 hours after the waiver is granted; and
       ``(2) publish the waiver on the website of the applicable 
     agency within 30 calendar days after granting such waiver.
       ``(e) Upon receiving a written waiver under subsection (d), 
     the Director shall--
       ``(1) review the waiver to determine whether the Director 
     has any objection to the issuance of the waiver; and
       ``(2) if the Director so objects--
       ``(A) provide reasons for the objection in writing to the 
     head of the agency who granted the waiver not less than 15 
     calendar days after the waiver was granted; and
       ``(B) publish the written objection on the website of the 
     Office of Government Ethics not less than 30 calendar days 
     after the waiver was granted.

     ``SEC. 204. ADMINISTRATION.

       ``(a) The head of each executive agency shall, in 
     consultation with the Director of the Office of Government 
     Ethics, establish such rules or procedures (conforming as 
     nearly as practicable to the agency's general ethics rules 
     and procedures, including those relating to designated agency 
     ethics officers) as are necessary or appropriate to ensure--
       ``(1) that every appointee in the agency signs the pledge 
     upon assuming the appointed office or otherwise becoming an 
     appointee;
       ``(2) that compliance with paragraph (2)(B) of the pledge 
     is addressed in a written ethics agreement with each 
     appointee to whom it applies;
       ``(3) that spousal employment issues and other conflicts 
     not expressly addressed by the pledge are addressed in ethics 
     agreements with appointees or, where no such agreements are 
     required, through ethics counseling; and
       ``(4) compliance with this title within the agency.
       ``(b) With respect to the Executive Office of the 
     President, the duties set forth in subsection (a) shall be 
     the responsibility of the Counsel to the President.
       ``(c) The Director of the Office of Government Ethics 
     shall--
       ``(1) ensure that the pledge and a copy of this title are 
     made available for use by agencies in fulfilling their duties 
     under subsection (a);
       ``(2) in consultation with the Attorney General or the 
     Counsel to the President, when appropriate, assist designated 
     agency ethics officers in providing advice to current or 
     former appointees regarding the application of the pledge;
       ``(3) adopt such rules or procedures as are necessary or 
     appropriate--
       ``(A) to carry out the responsibilities assigned by this 
     subsection;
       ``(B) to apply the lobbyist gift ban set forth in paragraph 
     1 of the pledge to all executive branch employees;
       ``(C) to authorize limited exceptions to the lobbyist gift 
     ban for circumstances that do not implicate the purposes of 
     the ban;
       ``(D) to make clear that no person shall have violated the 
     lobbyist gift ban if the person properly disposes of a gift;
       ``(E) to ensure that existing rules and procedures for 
     Government employees engaged in negotiations for future 
     employment with private businesses that are affected by their 
     official actions do not affect the integrity of the 
     Government's programs and operations; and
       ``(F) to ensure, in consultation with the Director of the 
     Office of Personnel Management, that the requirement set 
     forth in paragraph (4) of the pledge is honored by every 
     employee of the executive branch;
       ``(4) in consultation with the Director of the Office of 
     Management and Budget, report to the President, the Committee 
     on Oversight and Reform of the House of Representatives, and 
     the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
     of the Senate on whether full compliance is being achieved 
     with existing laws and regulations governing executive branch 
     procurement lobbying disclosure and on steps the executive 
     branch can take to expand to the fullest extent practicable 
     disclosure of such executive branch procurement lobbying and 
     of lobbying for presidential pardons, and to include in the 
     report both immediate action the executive branch can take 
     and, if necessary, recommendations for legislation; and
       ``(5) provide an annual public report on the administration 
     of the pledge and this title.
       ``(d) All pledges signed by appointees, and all waiver 
     certifications with respect thereto, shall be filed with the 
     head of the appointee's agency for permanent retention in the 
     appointee's official personnel folder or equivalent 
     folder.''.

                        Subtitle H--Severability

     SEC. 8071. SEVERABILITY.

       If any provision of this title or any amendment made by 
     this title, or any application of such provision or amendment 
     to any person or circumstance, is held to be 
     unconstitutional, the remainder of the provisions of this 
     title and the amendments made by this title, and the 
     application of the provision or amendment to any other person 
     or circumstance, shall not be affected.

                 TITLE IX--CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS REFORM

  Subtitle A--Requiring Members of Congress to Reimburse Treasury for 
      Amounts Paid as Settlements and Awards Under Congressional 
                       Accountability Act of 1995

Sec. 9001. Requiring Members of Congress to reimburse Treasury for 
              amounts paid as settlements and awards under 
              Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 in all cases of 
              employment discrimination acts by Members.

                   Subtitle B--Conflicts of Interests

Sec. 9101. Prohibiting Members of House of Representatives from serving 
              on boards of for-profit entities.
Sec. 9102. Conflict of interest rules for Members of Congress and 
              congressional staff.
Sec. 9103. Exercise of rulemaking powers.

          Subtitle C--Campaign Finance and Lobbying Disclosure

Sec. 9201. Short title.
Sec. 9202. Requiring disclosure in certain reports filed with Federal 
              Election Commission of persons who are registered 
              lobbyists.
Sec. 9203. Effective date.

         Subtitle D--Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports

Sec. 9301. Short title.
Sec. 9302. Definitions.
Sec. 9303. Establishment of online portal for congressionally mandated 
              reports.
Sec. 9304. Federal agency responsibilities.
Sec. 9305. Removing and altering reports.
Sec. 9306. Relationship to the Freedom of Information Act.
Sec. 9307. Implementation.

                        Subtitle E--Severability

Sec. 9401. Severability.

  Subtitle A--Requiring Members of Congress to Reimburse Treasury for 
      Amounts Paid as Settlements and Awards Under Congressional 
                       Accountability Act of 1995

     SEC. 9001. REQUIRING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO REIMBURSE 
                   TREASURY FOR AMOUNTS PAID AS SETTLEMENTS AND 
                   AWARDS UNDER CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT 
                   OF 1995 IN ALL CASES OF EMPLOYMENT 
                   DISCRIMINATION ACTS BY MEMBERS.

       (a) Requiring Reimbursement.--Clause (i) of section 
     415(d)(1)(C) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 
     (2 U.S.C. 1415(d)(1)(C)), as amended by section 111(a) of the 
     Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act, is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(i) a violation of section 201(a) or section 206(a); 
     or''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Notification of 
     Possibility of Reimbursement.--Clause (i) of section 
     402(b)(2)(B) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 
     (2 U.S.C. 1402(b)(2)(B)), as amended by section 102(a) of the 
     Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act, is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(i) a violation of section 201(a) or section 206(a); 
     or''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the 
     Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act.

                   Subtitle B--Conflicts of Interests

     SEC. 9101. PROHIBITING MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
                   FROM SERVING ON BOARDS OF FOR-PROFIT ENTITIES.

       Rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating clause 19 as clause 20; and
       (2) by inserting after clause 18 the following new clause:
       ``9. A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not 
     serve on the board of directors of any for-profit entity.''.

     SEC. 9102. CONFLICT OF INTEREST RULES FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS 
                   AND CONGRESSIONAL STAFF.

       No Member, officer, or employee of a committee or Member of 
     either House of Congress may knowingly use his or her 
     official position to introduce or aid the progress or passage 
     of legislation, a principal purpose of which is to further 
     only his or her pecuniary interest, only the pecuniary 
     interest of his or her immediate family, or only the 
     pecuniary interest of a limited class of persons or 
     enterprises, when he or she, or his or her immediate family, 
     or enterprises controlled by them, are members of the 
     affected class.

     SEC. 9103. EXERCISE OF RULEMAKING POWERS.

       The provisions of this subtitle are enacted by the 
     Congress--
       (1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate, respectively, and as such 
     they shall be considered as part of the rules of each House, 
     respectively, or of that House to which they specifically 
     apply, and such rules shall supersede other rules only to the 
     extent that they are inconsistent therewith; and
       (2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of 
     either House to change such rules (so far as relating to such 
     House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same 
     extent as in the case of any other rule of such House.

          Subtitle C--Campaign Finance and Lobbying Disclosure

     SEC. 9201. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Connecting Lobbyists 
     and Electeds for Accountability and Reform Act'' or the 
     ``CLEAR Act''.

[[Page H2477]]

  


     SEC. 9202. REQUIRING DISCLOSURE IN CERTAIN REPORTS FILED WITH 
                   FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION OF PERSONS WHO ARE 
                   REGISTERED LOBBYISTS.

       (a) Reports Filed by Political Committees.--Section 304(b) 
     of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 
     30104(b)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (7);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (8) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(9) if any person identified in subparagraph (A), (E), 
     (F), or (G) of paragraph (3) is a registered lobbyist under 
     the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, a separate statement 
     that such person is a registered lobbyist under such Act.''.
       (b) Reports Filed by Persons Making Independent 
     Expenditures.--Section 304(c)(2) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
     30104(c)(2)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C) 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(D) if the person filing the statement, or a person whose 
     identification is required to be disclosed under subparagraph 
     (C), is a registered lobbyist under the Lobbying Disclosure 
     Act of 1995, a separate statement that such person is a 
     registered lobbyist under such Act.''.
       (c) Reports Filed by Persons Making Disbursements for 
     Electioneering Communications.--Section 304(f)(2) of such Act 
     (52 U.S.C. 30104(f)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subparagraph:
       ``(G) If the person making the disbursement, or a 
     contributor described in subparagraph (E) or (F), is a 
     registered lobbyist under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
     1995, a separate statement that such person or contributor is 
     a registered lobbyist under such Act.''.
       (d) Requiring Commission to Establish Link to Websites of 
     Clerk of House and Secretary of Senate.--Section 304 of such 
     Act (52 U.S.C. 30104), as amended by section 4308(a), is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(k) Requiring Information on Registered Lobbyists to Be 
     Linked to Websites of Clerk of House and Secretary of 
     Senate.--
       ``(1) Links to websites.--The Commission shall ensure that 
     the Commission's public database containing information 
     described in paragraph (2) is linked electronically to the 
     websites maintained by the Secretary of the Senate and the 
     Clerk of the House of Representatives containing information 
     filed pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.
       ``(2) Information described.--The information described in 
     this paragraph is each of the following:
       ``(A) Information disclosed under paragraph (9) of 
     subsection (b).
       ``(B) Information disclosed under subparagraph (D) of 
     subsection (c)(2).
       ``(C) Information disclosed under subparagraph (G) of 
     subsection (f)(2).''.

     SEC. 9203. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       The amendments made by this subtitle shall apply with 
     respect to reports required to be filed under the Federal 
     Election Campaign Act of 1971 on or after the expiration of 
     the 90-day period which begins on the date of the enactment 
     of this Act.

         Subtitle D--Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports

     SEC. 9301. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Access to 
     Congressionally Mandated Reports Act''.

     SEC. 9302. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle:
       (1) Congressionally mandated report.--The term 
     ``congressionally mandated report''--
       (A) means a report that is required to be submitted to 
     either House of Congress or any committee of Congress, or 
     subcommittee thereof, by a statute, resolution, or conference 
     report that accompanies legislation enacted into law; and
       (B) does not include a report required under part B of 
     subtitle II of title 36, United States Code.
       (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
     the Government Publishing Office.
       (3) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal agency'' has the 
     meaning given that term under section 102 of title 40, United 
     States Code, but does not include the Government 
     Accountability Office.
       (4) Open format.--The term ``open format'' means a file 
     format for storing digital data based on an underlying open 
     standard that--
       (A) is not encumbered by any restrictions that would impede 
     reuse; and
       (B) is based on an underlying open data standard that is 
     maintained by a standards organization.
       (5) Reports online portal.--The term ``reports online 
     portal'' means the online portal established under section 
     (3)(a).

     SEC. 9303. ESTABLISHMENT OF ONLINE PORTAL FOR CONGRESSIONALLY 
                   MANDATED REPORTS.

       (a) Requirement To Establish Online Portal.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director shall establish and 
     maintain an online portal accessible by the public that 
     allows the public to obtain electronic copies of all 
     congressionally mandated reports in one place. The Director 
     may publish other reports on the online portal.
       (2) Existing functionality.--To the extent possible, the 
     Director shall meet the requirements under paragraph (1) by 
     using existing online portals and functionality under the 
     authority of the Director.
       (3) Consultation.--In carrying out this subtitle, the 
     Director shall consult with the Clerk of the House of 
     Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, and the 
     Librarian of Congress regarding the requirements for and 
     maintenance of congressionally mandated reports on the 
     reports online portal.
       (b) Content and Function.--The Director shall ensure that 
     the reports online portal includes the following:
       (1) Subject to subsection (c), with respect to each 
     congressionally mandated report, each of the following:
       (A) A citation to the statute, conference report, or 
     resolution requiring the report.
       (B) An electronic copy of the report, including any 
     transmittal letter associated with the report, in an open 
     format that is platform independent and that is available to 
     the public without restrictions, including restrictions that 
     would impede the re-use of the information in the report.
       (C) The ability to retrieve a report, to the extent 
     practicable, through searches based on each, and any 
     combination, of the following:
       (i) The title of the report.
       (ii) The reporting Federal agency.
       (iii) The date of publication.
       (iv) Each congressional committee receiving the report, if 
     applicable.
       (v) The statute, resolution, or conference report requiring 
     the report.
       (vi) Subject tags.
       (vii) A unique alphanumeric identifier for the report that 
     is consistent across report editions.
       (viii) The serial number, Superintendent of Documents 
     number, or other identification number for the report, if 
     applicable.
       (ix) Key words.
       (x) Full text search.
       (xi) Any other relevant information specified by the 
     Director.
       (D) The date on which the report was required to be 
     submitted, and on which the report was submitted, to the 
     reports online portal.
       (E) Access to the report not later than 30 calendar days 
     after its submission to Congress.
       (F) To the extent practicable, a permanent means of 
     accessing the report electronically.
       (2) A means for bulk download of all congressionally 
     mandated reports.
       (3) A means for downloading individual reports as the 
     result of a search.
       (4) An electronic means for the head of each Federal agency 
     to submit to the reports online portal each congressionally 
     mandated report of the agency, as required by section 4.
       (5) In tabular form, a list of all congressionally mandated 
     reports that can be searched, sorted, and downloaded by--
       (A) reports submitted within the required time;
       (B) reports submitted after the date on which such reports 
     were required to be submitted; and
       (C) reports not submitted.
       (c) Noncompliance by Federal Agencies.--
       (1) Reports not submitted.--If a Federal agency does not 
     submit a congressionally mandated report to the Director, the 
     Director shall to the extent practicable--
       (A) include on the reports online portal--
       (i) the information required under clauses (i), (ii), (iv), 
     and (v) of subsection (b)(1)(C); and
       (ii) the date on which the report was required to be 
     submitted; and
       (B) include the congressionally mandated report on the list 
     described in subsection (b)(5)(C).
       (2) Reports not in open format.--If a Federal agency 
     submits a congressionally mandated report that is not in an 
     open format, the Director shall include the congressionally 
     mandated report in another format on the reports online 
     portal.
       (d) Free Access.--The Director may not charge a fee, 
     require registration, or impose any other limitation in 
     exchange for access to the reports online portal.
       (e) Upgrade Capability.--The reports online portal shall be 
     enhanced and updated as necessary to carry out the purposes 
     of this subtitle.

     SEC. 9304. FEDERAL AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.

       (a) Submission of Electronic Copies of Reports.--
     Concurrently with the submission to Congress of each 
     congressionally mandated report, the head of the Federal 
     agency submitting the congressionally mandated report shall 
     submit to the Director the information required under 
     subparagraphs (A) through (D) of section 3(b)(1) with respect 
     to the congressionally mandated report. Nothing in this 
     subtitle shall relieve a Federal agency of any other 
     requirement to publish the congressionally mandated report on 
     the online portal of the Federal agency or otherwise submit 
     the congressionally mandated report to Congress or specific 
     committees of Congress, or subcommittees thereof.
       (b) Guidance.--Not later than 240 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the

[[Page H2478]]

     Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in 
     consultation with the Director, shall issue guidance to 
     agencies on the implementation of this Act.
       (c) Structure of Submitted Report Data.--The head of each 
     Federal agency shall ensure that each congressionally 
     mandated report submitted to the Director complies with the 
     open format criteria established by the Director in the 
     guidance issued under subsection (b).
       (d) Point of Contact.--The head of each Federal agency 
     shall designate a point of contact for congressionally 
     mandated report.
       (e) List of Reports.--As soon as practicable each calendar 
     year (but not later than April 1), and on a rolling basis 
     during the year if feasible, the Librarian of Congress shall 
     submit to the Director a list of congressionally mandated 
     reports from the previous calendar year, in consultation with 
     the Clerk of the House of Representatives, which shall--
       (1) be provided in an open format;
       (2) include the information required under clauses (i), 
     (ii), (iv), (v) of section 3(b)(1)(C) for each report;
       (3) include the frequency of the report;
       (4) include a unique alphanumeric identifier for the report 
     that is consistent across report editions;
       (5) include the date on which each report is required to be 
     submitted; and
       (6) be updated and provided to the Director, as necessary.

     SEC. 9305. REMOVING AND ALTERING REPORTS.

       A report submitted to be published to the reports online 
     portal may only be changed or removed, with the exception of 
     technical changes, by the head of the Federal agency 
     concerned if--
       (1) the head of the Federal agency consults with each 
     congressional committee to which the report is submitted; and
       (2) Congress enacts a joint resolution authorizing the 
     changing or removal of the report.

     SEC. 9306. RELATIONSHIP TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

       (a) In General.--Nothing in this subtitle shall be 
     construed to--
       (1) require the disclosure of information or records that 
     are exempt from public disclosure under section 552 of title 
     5, United States Code; or
       (2) to impose any affirmative duty on the Director to 
     review congressionally mandated reports submitted for 
     publication to the reports online portal for the purpose of 
     identifying and redacting such information or records.
       (b) Redaction of Information.--The head of a Federal agency 
     may redact information required to be disclosed under this 
     Act if the information would be properly withheld from 
     disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United States Code, 
     and shall--
       (1) redact information required to be disclosed under this 
     subtitle if disclosure of such information is prohibited by 
     law;
       (2) redact information being withheld under this subsection 
     prior to submitting the information to the Director;
       (3) redact only such information properly withheld under 
     this subsection from the submission of information or from 
     any congressionally mandated report submitted under this 
     subtitle;
       (4) identify where any such redaction is made in the 
     submission or report; and
       (5) identify the exemption under which each such redaction 
     is made.

     SEC. 9307. IMPLEMENTATION.

       Except as provided in section 9304(b), this subtitle shall 
     be implemented not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to 
     congressionally mandated reports submitted to Congress on or 
     after the date that is 1 year after such date of enactment.

                        Subtitle E--Severability

     SEC. 9401. SEVERABILITY.

       If any provision of this title or amendment made by this 
     title, or the application of a provision or amendment to any 
     person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the 
     remainder of this title and amendments made by this title, 
     and the application of the provisions and amendment to any 
     person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.

      TITLE X--PRESIDENTIAL AND VICE PRESIDENTIAL TAX TRANSPARENCY

Sec. 10001. Presidential and Vice Presidential tax transparency.

     SEC. 10001. PRESIDENTIAL AND VICE PRESIDENTIAL TAX 
                   TRANSPARENCY.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section--
       (1) The term ``covered candidate'' means a candidate of a 
     major party in a general election for the office of President 
     or Vice President.
       (2) The term ``major party'' has the meaning given the term 
     in section 9002 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
       (3) The term ``income tax return'' means, with respect to 
     an individual, any return (as such term is defined in section 
     6103(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, except that 
     such term shall not include declarations of estimated tax) 
     of--
       (A) such individual, other than information returns issued 
     to persons other than such individual, or
       (B) of any corporation, partnership, or trust in which such 
     individual holds, directly or indirectly, a significant 
     interest as the sole or principal owner or the sole or 
     principal beneficial owner (as such terms are defined in 
     regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury or 
     his delegate).
       (4) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the 
     Treasury or the delegate of the Secretary.
       (b) Disclosure.--
       (1) In general.--
       (A) Candidates for president and vice president.--Not later 
     than the date that is 15 days after the date on which an 
     individual becomes a covered candidate, the individual shall 
     submit to the Federal Election Commission a copy of the 
     individual's income tax returns for the 10 most recent 
     taxable years for which a return has been filed with the 
     Internal Revenue Service.
       (B) President and vice president.--With respect to an 
     individual who is the President or Vice President, not later 
     than the due date for the return of tax for each taxable 
     year, such individual shall submit to the Federal Election 
     Commission a copy of the individual's income tax returns for 
     the taxable year and for the 9 preceding taxable years.
       (C) Transition rule for sitting presidents and vice 
     presidents.--Not later than the date that is 30 days after 
     the date of enactment of this section, an individual who is 
     the President or Vice President on such date of enactment 
     shall submit to the Federal Election Commission a copy of the 
     income tax returns for the 10 most recent taxable years for 
     which a return has been filed with the Internal Revenue 
     Service.
       (2) Failure to disclose.--If any requirement under 
     paragraph (1) to submit an income tax return is not met, the 
     chairman of the Federal Election Commission shall submit to 
     the Secretary a written request that the Secretary provide 
     the Federal Election Commission with the income tax return.
       (3) Publicly available.--The chairman of the Federal 
     Election Commission shall make publicly available each income 
     tax return submitted under paragraph (1) in the same manner 
     as a return provided under section 6103(l)(23) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this section).
       (4) Treatment as a report under the federal election 
     campaign act of 1971.--For purposes of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971, any income tax return submitted under 
     paragraph (1) or provided under section 6103(l)(23) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this section) 
     shall, after redaction under paragraph (3) or subparagraph 
     (B)(ii) of such section, be treated as a report filed under 
     the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
       (c) Disclosure of Returns of Presidents and Vice Presidents 
     and Certain Candidates for President and Vice President.--
       (1) In general.--Section 6103(l) of the Internal Revenue 
     Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(23) Disclosure of return information of presidents and 
     vice presidents and certain candidates for president and vice 
     president.--
       ``(A) In general.--Upon written request by the chairman of 
     the Federal Election Commission under section 10001(b)(2) of 
     the For the People Act of 2019, not later than the date that 
     is 15 days after the date of such request, the Secretary 
     shall provide copies of any return which is so requested to 
     officers and employees of the Federal Election Commission 
     whose official duties include disclosure or redaction of such 
     return under this paragraph.
       ``(B) Disclosure to the public.--
       ``(i) In general.--The chairman of the Federal Election 
     Commission shall make publicly available any return which is 
     provided under subparagraph (A).
       ``(ii) Redaction of certain information.--Before making 
     publicly available under clause (i) any return, the chairman 
     of the Federal Election Commission shall redact such 
     information as the Federal Election Commission and the 
     Secretary jointly determine is necessary for protecting 
     against identity theft, such as social security numbers.''.
       (2) Conforming amendments.--Section 6103(p)(4) of such Code 
     is amended--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking 
     ``or (22)'' and inserting ``(22), or (23)'', and
       (B) in subparagraph (F)(ii) by striking ``or (22)'' and 
     inserting ``(22), or (23)''.
       (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
     shall apply to disclosures made on or after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
  The Acting CHAIR. No further amendment to the bill, as amended, shall 
be in order except those printed in part B of House Report 116-16 and 
amendments en bloc described in section 3 of House Resolution 172.
  Each further amendment printed in part B of the report may be offered 
only in the order printed in the report, by a Member designated in the 
report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time 
specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent 
and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be 
subject to a demand for division of the question.
  It shall be in order at any time for the chair of the Committee on 
House Administration or her designee to offer amendments en bloc 
consisting of

[[Page H2479]]

amendments printed in part B of the report not earlier disposed of. 
Amendments en bloc shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for 
20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking 
minority member of the Committee on House Administration or their 
designees, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject 
to a demand for division of the question.

                              {time}  1700


                 Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Suozzi

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 1 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 323, after line 6, insert the following:

     SEC. 4103. AUDIT AND REPORT ON ILLICIT FOREIGN MONEY IN 
                   FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

       (a) In General.--Title III of the Federal Election Campaign 
     Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), as amended by section 
     1821, is further amended by inserting after section 319A the 
     following new section:

     ``SEC. 319B. AUDIT AND REPORT ON DISBURSEMENTS BY FOREIGN 
                   NATIONALS.

       ``(a) Audit.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall conduct an audit 
     after each Federal election cycle to determine the incidence 
     of illicit foreign money in such Federal election cycle.
       ``(2) Procedures.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
     Commission shall conduct random audits of any disbursements 
     required to be reported under this Act, in accordance with 
     procedures established by the Commission.
       ``(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the end of 
     each Federal election cycle, the Commission shall submit to 
     Congress a report containing--
       ``(1) results of the audit required by subsection (a)(1); 
     and
       ``(2) recommendations to address the presence of illicit 
     foreign money in elections, as appropriate.
       ``(c) Definitions.--As used in this section:
       ``(1) The term `Federal election cycle' means the period 
     which begins on the day after the date of a regularly 
     scheduled general election for Federal office and which ends 
     on the date of the first regularly scheduled general election 
     for Federal office held after such date.
       ``(2) The term `illicit foreign money' means any 
     disbursement by a foreign national (as defined in section 
     319(b)) prohibited under such section.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to the Federal election cycle that 
     began during November 2018, and each succeeding Federal 
     election cycle.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Suozzi) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
  Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Chairman, before I speak about our bipartisan 
amendment, I would like to thank Representatives Sarbanes and Lofgren 
for their hard work on H.R. 1.
  I would also like to commend Chairman McGovern and his staff on the 
Rules Committee--and the entire Rules Committee--for making our 
amendment in order and for working with the Problem Solvers Caucus and 
other pragmatic Members to foster an inclusive process.
  Our bipartisan amendment No. 1 to H.R. 1, with 24 Democrats and 20 
Republican cosponsors, would require the Federal Election Commission to 
conduct an audit after each Federal election cycle to determine any 
incidence of illicit foreign money in the election.
  The reason we have such a bipartisan-supported amendment is because 
of the hard work of the Problem Solvers Caucus, chaired by my friends 
Chairman Reed for the Republicans and Chairman Gottheimer for the 
Democrats.
  In January, our colleagues on the Problem Solvers Caucus worked with 
the leadership to negotiate the 20-20 rule as part of our Break the 
Gridlock proposal.
  This amendment is the first amendment to receive preferential 
treatment under the 20-20 rule by the Rules Committee, and we are happy 
to see our addition to the rules package has worked its way to 
encourage transparency and bipartisanship in the 116th Congress.
  Mr. Chairman, campaign finance law has loopholes, leaving the 
American electoral process susceptible to illicit funding from foreign 
nationals, corporations, and governments.
  Foreign money easily influences our elections by passing funds 
through shell corporations, U.S. subsidiaries, investments, trade 
associations, and shell companies. Under our proposed amendment, within 
180 days of an election, the FEC will submit to Congress a report 
containing audit results and recommendations to address the presence of 
illicit foreign money.
  I urge the Members of this Congress to continue to utilize the 20-20 
rule and gain some muscle memory of working in a bipartisan way to work 
for the American people.
  Confidence in our electoral process is essential to faith in our 
government institutions, and I urge the passage of this bipartisan 
amendment to H.R. 1.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. REED. Mr. Chair, I seek the Republican response time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from New York is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. REED. Mr. Chairman, I would like to start by thanking my 
colleague, Mr. Suozzi from New York, as well as our Republican 
colleague, Mr. Fitzpatrick, who led the charge on this amendment 
process in this amendment before you.
  I would also take a moment to thank my co-chair on the Problem 
Solvers Caucus, Mr. Gottheimer from New Jersey.
  Though we may disagree on the fundamental bill before us, Mr. 
Chairman, I am pleased to be able to report to the American people 
today that there are still Members here that are looking to find common 
ground.
  In the amendment before you that has been put forward in this new 
mechanism in the Rules Committee to encourage bipartisan debate, we 
have found that common ground in regards to the transparency and the 
requirements that this amendment calls for in regards to making sure 
that, if foreign money is in our election process, we do what we can in 
order to root that out and bring sunshine to that issue for all 
Americans to see.
  I encourage my colleagues on our side of the aisle to support this 
amendment because this is that common ground that, even though we may 
fundamentally disagree on some of the final conclusions of H.R. 1 and 
the issue and the debate that we have already seen on display here 
today, this is something that common sense dictates that we come 
together for as Democrats and Republicans, working together to find 
that common ground to advance the American cause.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Virginia (Ms. Spanberger).
  Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I 
rise in support of this amendment to H.R. 1.
  I speak today as someone who has spent my career in public service 
identifying foreign threats to the safety and security of the American 
people. As a former CIA officer, I worked to identify threats to our 
country, our fellow Americans, and threats that would leave our Nation 
vulnerable to attack, espionage, or foreign influence.
  As Congress acts this week to restore transparency to our government 
and regain trust from the people we serve, we must take steps to 
prevent foreign influence in our democratic process. I support efforts 
to push back against the very real threat of foreign financial 
influence. I know nefarious actors are out there. I know they are 
tireless in their commitment to target our foundational institutions, 
including our voting process.
  The American people shouldn't have to worry about the ability of 
foreign governments or entities to influence our elections and our 
citizens, but senseless loopholes in our campaign finance system have 
left our electoral process vulnerable to spending by foreign 
governments, corporations, and foreign nationals. These foreign 
entities should not have the ability to exert influence over the issues 
that impact Americans most, including the national defense, healthcare, 
and our financial services sector. That is why I am proud to cosponsor 
this much-needed, bipartisan amendment.
  This amendment would strengthen the integrity of our elections by 
encouraging our government to ensure

[[Page H2480]]

that our campaign finance system is not falling prey to signs of 
foreign money in our politics. It would require the FEC to conduct an 
audit to look for foreign money in our elections and then require the 
FEC to report its findings.

  Mr. REED. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
New Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer), Democratic co-chair of the Problem Solvers 
Caucus, in the spirit of bipartisanship and in the effort to find 
common ground.
  Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Chairman, I thank my co-chair of the Problem 
Solvers Caucus,   Tom Reed, for his leadership.
  Mr. Chair, thank you for allowing me to speak on behalf of this 
important bipartisan amendment to H.R. 1. I also want to thank 
Congresswoman Lofgren and Congressman Sarbanes for their leadership on 
this legislation. And my colleagues who offered this amendment, my very 
good friend Congressman Suozzi and Congressman Fitzpatrick, I thank 
them for their work on this bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus 
initiative, which I know will further help improve H.R. 1 by stopping 
the flow of foreign money into our elections.
  This amendment was developed with strong support from the bipartisan 
Problem Solvers Caucus, utilizing the new Break the Gridlock rules 
reforms that the caucus helped put in place in the new Congress.
  This is the first time the 20-20 rule is being utilized for broad, 
bipartisan support legislation, and an amendment like this sends 
exactly the right signal to the American people that we can work 
together to move legislation.
  I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 1, the For the People Act, which 
will help strengthen voting rights in our country, help clean 
corruption out of our politics, and protect free and fair elections, 
which is the bedrock of our democracy.
  Civil rights means everyone in our great Nation has equal rights and, 
therefore, equal speech. Dark money in our politics flies in the face 
of that American ideal, from wherever it comes. Even worse is dark 
foreign money.
  Loopholes in our campaign finance system have left our electoral 
process vulnerable to unlimited spending by foreign governments, 
corporations, and foreign nationals in our elections. We have seen that 
foreign entities are able to spend undisclosed amounts of money to 
influence U.S. elections by using subsidiaries, shell corporations, or 
advocacy groups to hide their influence.
  In 2016, American Pacific International Capital, a company owned by 
Chinese nationals, used these loopholes to donate $1.3 million to a 
super-PAC in the Presidential election.
  The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. REED. Mr. Chair, I yield the gentleman an additional 15 seconds.
  Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Even in this most recent election in 2018, Iran, 
China, and Russia all attempted to influence American voters and 
policy.
  Americans on both sides of the aisle agree this is a critically 
important issue that we must do something about. The adoption of this 
amendment will further codify the intent of Congress to end unchecked 
foreign spending, which is the scourge of our democracy.
  Mr. Chair, I look forward to more support for 20-20 legislative 
amendments.
  Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Chair, I reserve the remainder of my time to close.
  Mr. REED. Mr. Chair, I have no other speakers and am prepared to 
close.
  Mr. Chairman, as we wrap up the debate on this amendment, I hope we 
have demonstrated that there is common ground to be found in this 
Chamber.
  I would like to take a moment to thank, again, my colleagues, but 
also the Rules Committee, Mr. McGovern and his staff, for working with 
us in regards to this new reform of the rules process that will reward 
and encourage bipartisan behavior and bipartisan common ground-finding 
efforts.
  I encourage all Members on both sides of the aisle: Utilize this new 
rule path to bring forth ideas that benefit the American people in a 
bipartisan way.
  At the end of the day, this amendment is something we should all 
support for the reasons articulated by my colleagues on the other side 
and as articulated, hopefully, by myself today in regards to supporting 
this reform that goes at the issue of foreign money in our elections.
  Mr. Chair, I encourage our Members to support this amendment, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Chairman, I want to applaud my colead on this bill, 
this bipartisan bill, Congressman Fitzpatrick, a Republican from 
Pennsylvania, who couldn't be here today, but he worked very hard on 
this, as did the other colleagues who have spoken here already.
  The people of America are hungering for bipartisanship. They are 
hungering for people to work together to try and solve the problems in 
this country.
  We hope that the use of the 20-20 rule and this amendment, with 24 
Democrats and 20 Republicans, is one small step in that process to 
demonstrate that people can work together to solve problems.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi).
  The amendment was agreed to.


               Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Butterfield

  The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Cardenas). It is now in order to consider 
amendment No. 2 printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 136, strike lines 6 through 11 and insert the 
     following:
       ``(c) Location of Polling Places.--
       ``(1) Proximity to public transportation.--To the greatest 
     extent practicable, a State shall ensure that each polling 
     place which allows voting during an early voting period under 
     subsection (a) is located within walking distance of a stop 
     on a public transportation route.
       ``(2) Availability in rural areas.--The State shall ensure 
     that polling places which allow voting during an early voting 
     period under subsection (a) will be located in rural areas of 
     the State, and shall ensure that such polling places are 
     located in communities which will provide the greatest 
     opportunity for residents of rural areas to vote during the 
     early voting period.''.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentleman 
from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield) and a Member opposed each will 
control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina.
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment to 
improve early voting in rural communities.
  My amendment would ensure that early voting locations in rural 
communities are placed strategically in communities to provide the 
greatest access to rural voters seeking to cast their ballots.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment.
  My amendment, Mr. Chairman, gets to the heart of what we have been 
trying to do here today with H.R. 1, and that is to make voting easier.
  My amendment builds on the underlying text of H.R. 1 that directs 
States to locate early voting locations within walking distance of 
stops on public transportation routes by recognizing that rural 
communities face very different challenges to voting as compared to 
voters in urban communities.
  In many rural communities, Mr. Chairman, like the ones that I 
represent in eastern North Carolina, there is no public transportation 
in many of those communities, so polling locations in these communities 
need to be located where these voters will have the best chance to let 
their voices be heard in our elections, and my amendment would simply 
ensure that that happens.
  Mr. Chairman, rural communities are facing many challenges, but their 
ability to participate in our elections should not be one of those 
challenges. I think all of us on both sides of the aisle can agree on 
this.
  During the markup at the committee, I got a good feeling about it, 
and I hoped my friend from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) would be willing 
to work with me in getting this amendment passed.
  Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H2481]]

  


                              {time}  1715

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in 
opposition to this amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate my good 
friend and colleague from North Carolina's assertion that we have to be 
cognizant of what is happening in rural America and how, maybe a top-
down approach from Washington may not be the best approach when we 
might not have public transportation opportunities in many of the rural 
areas that he and I both serve.
  But, as Mr. Butterfield is a member of the House Administration 
Committee, I would have hoped that this amendment would have been 
offered during the committee markup, the markup, the only markup that 
was held on this 622-page bill. We offered 28 amendments on the 
Republican side and not a single one was accepted.
  These are the types of amendments I would have loved to have seen 
have bipartisan support in the committee process because I am from a 
rural area. I understand it is sometimes difficult for people in rural 
areas to vote.
  But we have got to leave it up to the States and localities to be 
able to determine where these polling places are going to go, 
especially in the rural areas.
  We have a hard enough time having somebody here in Washington figure 
out where everybody is going to be in an office every 2 years. Can you 
imagine somebody in a concrete building out here in Washington, D.C., 
determining where a polling place should or should not be in a town 
that I represent in central Illinois?
  That is my problem with this bill; it is a top-down approach that 
takes away the ability for locals to really truly get polling places in 
areas that are accessible for every voter to be able to cast their 
vote.
  Mr. Chairman, I want every single American to be able to vote. Every 
vote, every single vote in every American vote deserves to be counted 
and protected.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from Illinois would 
remember that at the subcommittee markup, or the full committee markup, 
we did have a very healthy conversation about this topic. I acknowledge 
that no amendment was offered at the committee, but I felt a consensus, 
Mr. Davis, when we discussed it at the committee, and I thought that it 
would be accepted by the other side.
  But suffice it to say that rural communities deserve to have polling 
locations that are convenient to all of its citizens. We are talking 
about Federal elections, not local elections, so I would ask my 
colleagues to reconsider and support this amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes).
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I 
want to thank him for his work on House Administration. I know, as 
well, that Congressman Anthony Brown helped with this particular 
amendment.
  This is really critical. This is all about, and H.R. 1, in large 
part, is about the journey to the ballot box, and how do we make that 
journey easier for people; how do we make sure that they can get there 
without too much of an undue burden; and that is what this would do for 
rural voters.
  This would require that States ensure that the polling places are 
located in rural areas. So this idea that somebody in Washington is 
going to be deciding where the location is, that is preposterous. We 
are just saying make sure that the State figures it out; and so each 
State can decide what makes the most sense in terms of placing these 
voting places for rural voters.
  So it is a very, very commonsense amendment. I want to thank the 
gentleman for introducing it and, definitely, I support it.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, my colleague from North 
Carolina is right. We had a good, healthy discussion on how rural 
voters could be adversely impacted by the original language that was in 
the bill that would have required polling places to be next to areas of 
mass transit.
  Well, as we both know, there are many areas we serve that don't have 
access to mass transit. My problem is not with what this amendment 
does. My problem, again, is with the process.
  My problem is how are we going to determine--and my biggest fear is 
that if Washington is determining where polling places should go, maybe 
we are not allowing the locals to determine best how to ensure that 
voters get easiest access to being able to cast their vote.
  I want to work with the gentleman from North Carolina to address many 
rural needs, especially when it comes to our oversight responsibility 
of elections. And I certainly hope--I do believe this amendment will 
pass--and I certainly hope, if it becomes a law, which I don't believe 
H.R. 1 will become law, but I would really encourage us to be able to 
work together after this is done and maybe work in a separate fashion 
to address rural voting communities' needs. And I look forward to 
working with the gentleman.
  Mr. Chairman, I know we have a lot of amendments, so I will go ahead 
and yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chair, let me thank the gentleman for his 
comments and thank him for his friendship. The gentleman is right; we 
do serve on the House Administration Committee together. He is the 
ranking member of the committee and Ms. Lofgren is the chair. We will 
have many opportunities to work together, and I look forward to working 
with the gentleman and all of the committee on very important issues as 
we go forward.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Raskin

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 3 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 383, after line 19, add the following new section:

     SEC. 4502. ASSESSMENT OF SHAREHOLDER PREFERENCES FOR 
                   DISBURSEMENTS FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES.

       (a) Assessment Required.--The Securities Exchange Act of 
     1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) is amended by inserting after 
     section 10D the following:

     ``SEC. 10E. ASSESSMENT OF SHAREHOLDER PREFERENCES FOR 
                   DISBURSEMENTS FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES.

       ``(a) Assessment Required Before Making a Disbursement for 
     a Political Purpose.--
       ``(1) Requirement.--An issuer with an equity security 
     listed on a national securities exchange may not make a 
     disbursement for a political purpose unless--
       ``(A) the issuer has in place procedures to assess the 
     preferences of the shareholders of the issuer with respect to 
     making such disbursements; and
       ``(B) such an assessment has been made within the 1-year 
     period ending on the date of such disbursement.
       ``(2) Treatment of issuers whose shareholders are 
     prohibited from expressing preferences.--Notwithstanding 
     paragraph (1), an issuer described under such paragraph with 
     procedures in place to assess the preferences of its 
     shareholders with respect to making disbursements for 
     political purposes shall not be considered to meet the 
     requirements of such paragraph if a majority of the number of 
     the outstanding equity securities of the issuer are held by 
     persons who are prohibited from expressing partisan or 
     political preferences by law, contract, or the requirement to 
     meet a fiduciary duty.
       ``(b) Assessment Requirements.--The assessment described 
     under subsection (a) shall assess--
       ``(1) which types of disbursements for a political purpose 
     the shareholder believes the issuer should make;
       ``(2) whether the shareholder believes that such 
     disbursements should be made in support of, or in opposition 
     to, Republican, Democratic, Independent, or other political 
     party candidates and political committees;
       ``(3) whether the shareholder believes that such 
     disbursements should be made with respect to elections for 
     Federal, State, or local office; and
       ``(4) such other information as the Commission may specify, 
     by rule.
       ``(c) Disbursement for a Political Purpose Defined.--
       ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term 
     `disbursement for a political purpose' means any of the 
     following:
       ``(A) A disbursement for an independent expenditure, as 
     defined in section 301(17) of the Federal Election Campaign 
     Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(17)).
       ``(B) A disbursement for an electioneering communication, 
     as defined in section 304(f)

[[Page H2482]]

     of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 
     30104(f)).
       ``(C) A disbursement for any public communication, as 
     defined in section 301(22) of the Federal Election Campaign 
     Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(22)--
       ``(i) which expressly advocates the election or defeat of a 
     clearly identified candidate for election for Federal office, 
     or is the functional equivalent of express advocacy because, 
     when taken as a whole, it can be interpreted by a reasonable 
     person only as advocating the election or defeat of a 
     candidate for election for Federal office; or
       ``(ii) which refers to a clearly identified candidate for 
     election for Federal office and which promotes or support a 
     candidate for that office, or attacks or opposes a candidate 
     for that office, without regard to whether the communication 
     expressly advocates a vote for or against a candidate for 
     that office.
       ``(D) Any other disbursement which is made for the purpose 
     of influencing the outcome of an election for a public 
     office.
       ``(E) Any transfer of funds to another person which is made 
     with the intent that such person will use the funds to make a 
     disbursement described in subparagraphs (A) through (D), or 
     with the knowledge that the person will use the funds to make 
     such a disbursement.
       ``(2) Exceptions.--The term `disbursement for a political 
     purpose' does not include any of the following:
       ``(A) Any disbursement made from a separate segregated fund 
     of the corporation under section 316 of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30118).
       ``(B) Any transfer of funds to another person which is made 
     in a commercial transaction in the ordinary course of any 
     trade or business conducted by the corporation or in the form 
     of investments made by the corporation.
       ``(C) Any transfer of funds to another person which is 
     subject to a written prohibition against the use of the funds 
     for a disbursement for a political purpose.
       ``(d) Other Definitions.--In this section, each of the 
     terms `candidate', `election', `political committee', and 
     `political party' has the meaning given such term under 
     section 301 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 
     U.S.C. 30101).''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment to Federal Election Campaign Act 
     of 1971 to Prohibit Disbursements by Corporations Failing to 
     Assess Preferences.--Section 316 of the Federal Election 
     Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30118) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(d) Prohibiting Disbursements by Corporations Failing to 
     Assess Shareholder Preferences.--
       ``(1) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for a corporation 
     to make a disbursement for a political purpose unless the 
     corporation has in place procedures to assess the preferences 
     of its shareholders with respect to making such 
     disbursements, as provided in section 10E of the Securities 
     Exchange Act of 1934.
       ``(2) Definition.--In this section, the term `disbursement 
     for a political purpose' has the meaning given such term in 
     section 10E(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to disbursements made on or after 
     December 31, 2019.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Raskin) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland.
  Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and 
I rise to offer this amendment to H.R. 1.
  For decades, the law prevented business corporations from engaging in 
campaign spending. But the Supreme Court destroyed that prohibition 
with its watershed decision in 2010, in the Citizens United case, 
which, for the first time, defined for-profit business corporations as 
political membership associations and, thereby, unleashed billions of 
dollars in corporate treasury money into the political system.
  Since then, corporations have taken advantage of this newfound 
constitutional identity and political freedom by investing hundreds of 
millions of dollars, perhaps billions, in campaign expenditures and the 
torrent of ``dark money'' now coursing through the political system.
  But who are these corporations speaking for?
  Well, according to the court, they are speaking for the shareholders. 
Writing for the majority, Justice Kennedy took the position that 
corporate political campaigning is on behalf of the shareholders, an 
association of individuals who have taken on the corporate form.
  But, in reality, we know that CEOs engage in political spending 
without the knowledge, much less the consent of the shareholders whose 
First Amendment rights are allegedly being exercised.
  Anyone who has a retirement fund with money invested in corporate 
equities will know that they have never been asked whether they want a 
portion of their retirement money invested in Republican or Democratic 
or other campaigns. The CEOs just do it without their participation.
  What can be done to stop shareholders' money from being spent on 
campaigns without their knowledge or consent?
  Most Americans want a constitutional amendment to reverse Citizens 
United and restore the definition of corporations as economic entities 
barred from politics. But there is something that we can do right now, 
short of that, simply by enforcing Citizens United on its own terms. 
Justice Kennedy said the main check against abuse of this new right 
would be exercised by the ``shareholders through the procedures of 
corporate democracy.''
  Justice Kennedy assumed a world of comprehensive and immediate 
disclosure. He wrote: ``Shareholder objections raised through the 
procedures of corporate democracy can be more effective today because 
modern technology makes disclosures rapid and informative. With the 
advent of the Internet, prompt disclosure of expenditures can provide 
shareholders and citizens with the information needed to hold 
corporations and elected officials accountable . . . citizens can see 
whether elected officials are in the pocket of so-called moneyed 
interests.''
  But the current system provides nothing like that kind of 
transparency and accountability. This amendment, the Shareholders 
United Act of 2019, will begin to change the secrecy, darkness, and 
oligarchical implications of the current system.
  It would require publicly-traded corporations to get shareholder buy-
in on the front end before their money is channeled into political 
campaigns. Companies would have to develop a process to assess 
shareholder preferences for political spending, and make any such 
spending within a year of assessing the majority's preferences.
  Moreover, the amendment recognizes that some shareholders are 
institutional investors, like pension funds, States, and cities, mutual 
funds, universities or charities, which are categorically forbidden 
from expressing partisan political preferences.
  If this type of investor holds a majority of corporate shares, the 
corporation would not be able to make expenditures from the general 
treasury because the CEO, at that point, would paradoxically be 
speaking for institutional shareholders that may not themselves speak 
in politics.
  Citizens are begging for this kind of commonsense regulation and 
promotion of corporate democracy. People invest in the stock market to 
save for retirement, or to send their kids to college, not to support 
their favorite political candidates, much less their most disfavored 
ones.
  I know that I would be mad as hell to learn that my retirement money 
was being spent, being given away to Donald Trump and the RNC; just as 
I assume my GOP friends don't want their pension dollars going to the 
DNC or to help Elizabeth Warren's Presidential campaign.
  People who invest in the stock market should not be used as the pawns 
for the political designs of CEOs. I urge my colleagues on both sides 
of the aisle to support this commonsense amendment called for by 
Justice Kennedy's opinion in Citizens United.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in 
opposition to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, again, as I mentioned 
earlier, I would have liked to have seen these amendments offered 
during our House Administration markup as my good friend from Maryland 
is also a member of the House Administration Committee.
  There was some discussion on issues like this and I was under the 
impression, during that markup process, that provisions like my 
opponent put into this amendment were already part of the bill.
  But let me add, this amendment would turn businesses and corporations 
into partisan political entities and shareholder meetings and votes 
into political conventions.
  It would require corporations to poll their shareholders on whether 
the corporation's political spending should be

[[Page H2483]]

made in support of, in opposition to Republican, Democratic, 
Independent, or other political party candidates and political 
committees.

  Business decisions drive corporations' political spending. This would 
inject partisan political considerations into corporate political 
spending.
  And let me remind the American people, corporations are banned by law 
currently to be able to give directly to candidates or to organizations 
that will directly support or oppose candidates during an election 
cycle. This is going to further polarize our political environment.
  This amendment also relies on unconstitutionally vague and intent-
based standards for what corporate spending is covered by the 
shareholder preference assessment requirement. It is going to encourage 
the current practice of activists taking hold of proxy advisory firms 
to socially engineer public policies through proxy shareholder votes. 
There is no transparency to proxy advisory firms.
  I am opposed to this amendment because it is vague and impractical, 
and would, again, infringe upon free speech. It is not clear what 
speech is covered under this amendment and that is, perhaps, the worst 
part.
  The practical effect of this amendment would be that the companies 
would not have shareholder elections under this new standard. Many 
would probably stop paying dues to trade associations because the 
language might be construed to cover that. That would be a bomb on many 
of the largest and most important trade groups. No similar requirement 
for other organizations as part of this bill, of course.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for those thoughtful 
comments. The ranking member of the House Administration Committee 
contends that we talked about this in the House Administration 
Committee which, indeed, we did, and it was precisely that discussion 
which led to the formation of the amendment.
  I am afraid there he is just protesting against the character of the 
legislative process. We have a discussion; we learn things; we develop 
new amendments. And for a moment there it sounded like he wanted to 
vote for it, but then he turns to say that the problem with this 
amendment is that it would politicize the corporation, which is quite 
an astounding argument to make against it, when the entire purpose of 
our amendment is to prevent corporations from engaging in political 
expenditures and dark-money spending without the consent and the 
knowledge of the shareholders.
  If you object to corporations being engaged in partisan political 
activity, then you should support this amendment, because it is 
precisely this amendment that will prevent it from happening if the 
shareholders don't want it to.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1730

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, may I inquire how much time 
is remaining.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Illinois has 2\1/2\ minutes 
remaining.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, look, I don't own too many 
stocks outside of mutual funds, but I do have one that I get statements 
to ask me to cast a vote for those members who are currently members of 
the board of directors or running to be. What I do is use the 
disclosure database OpenSecrets. I find out the political spending of 
these individuals who are going to determine the outcome of the stock 
that I have invested in that, hopefully, will grow in value, because 
that is why people invest in the stock market, and that is why people 
invest in corporate entities that may be publicly traded.
  The problem I have with this amendment is I thought corporate money 
wasn't supposed to go to candidates. I don't take corporate dollars. 
Frankly, I am probably one of the ones standing in this institution 
tonight who had many of these super-PAC dollars spent against me in the 
last election. They can't take corporate dollars.
  But the issue at hand is, in another part of the bill where this new 
Freedom From Influence Fund is put together, they are now going to use 
corporate dollars to create a fund that is flowing through the Federal 
Treasury that should be going to infrastructure, should be going to 
pediatric cancer research. Instead, it is going to flow into this new 
shell that is going to have corporate money go directly to 
congressional candidates, which is illegal now.
  That, to me, is the biggest problem with this bill, and that, to me, 
is a problem with this amendment.
  Mr. Chair, I look forward to a discussion on many other amendments 
throughout this long evening.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin).
  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes 
appeared to have it.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Maryland 
will be postponed.


                Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Hastings

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 4 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment to H.R. 1, the For 
the People Act of 2019, that I have offered with my good friend from my 
neighboring district, Congressman Ted Deutch. 
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 140, insert after line 19 the following:
       ``(3) Report.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the end of 
     a Federal election cycle, each chief State election official 
     shall submit to Congress a report containing the following 
     information for the applicable Federal election cycle in the 
     State:
       ``(i) The number of ballots invalidated due to a 
     discrepancy under this subsection.
       ``(ii) Description of attempts to contact voters to provide 
     notice as required by this subsection.
       ``(iii) Description of the cure process developed by such 
     State pursuant to this subsection, including the number of 
     ballots determined valid as a result of such process.
       ``(B) Federal election cycle defined.--For purposes of this 
     subsection, the term `Federal election cycle' means the 
     period beginning on January 1 of any odd numbered year and 
     ending on December 31 of the following year.''.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Hastings) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Chair, the right to vote is sacred and fundamental. 
Yet across this country, in particular in my home State of Florida, 
voters were denied their right to vote because of penmanship.
  In the wake of the 2018 midterms, Florida's signature matching law 
was deemed unconstitutional because it allowed county election 
officials to reject vote-by-mail ballots for mismatched signatures, 
with no standards, an illusory cure process, and no process to 
challenge the rejection.
  Ballots being rejected because of perceived signature mismatch 
heavily affect voters already at the margins: trans and gender-
nonconforming people, people with disabilities, people for whom English 
is a second language, military personnel, and women.
  I am very pleased to see that H.R. 1 would protect voters' due 
process rights when it comes to signature matching laws by requiring 
proper notice and an opportunity to cure.
  My amendment, amendment No. 4, builds on that by requiring States to 
submit a report to Congress after the end of a Federal election cycle 
regarding the number of ballots invalidated due to a discrepancy in a 
voter's signature, the attempts to contact voters to provide notice 
that a discrepancy exists between the signature on the ballot and the 
signature of the voter on the official list of registered voters, and 
the cure process and results.
  Mr. Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in 
opposition to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.

[[Page H2484]]

  

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, while I appreciate my good 
friend from Florida's amendment, this amendment doesn't go far enough. 
It does nothing to stem the practice of ballot harvesting.
  Ballot harvesting is a practice of States allowing any person to 
collect any number of absentee ballots and then deliver them to the 
polls. It could be even after election day.
  This practice, of course, is ripe for fraud, and we saw most recently 
in North Carolina how it can be abused to the advantage of political 
campaigns.
  In North Carolina's Ninth District, the individual who harvested 
ballots for a Republican, where we will now have a special election, 
was caught because the practice is illegal. It is unlikely that he 
would have been caught in a State like California, because the practice 
is perfectly legal.
  Take the current law in California. A signature is invalid if the 
ballot turned in by a harvester doesn't match a signature in the voter 
file, but the campaign can cure this by getting the voter in question 
to submit an affidavit that they voted. Then that signature only has to 
match the signature in the voter file, not the signature on the ballot.
  A harvester could theoretically take a bunch of ballots, submit them 
with forged signatures, and then collect signatures afterward, since 
the campaigns would later get a list of the signatures that were 
rejected.
  Loose standards relating to providing notice to voters whose 
signatures were mismatched, as well as a lengthy cure process without 
any safeguards, disenfranchises voters who showed up and cast votes 
before or on election day.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate my good friend's 
suggestions, but this is my amendment. I didn't have anything to do 
with ballot harvesting, and I imagine that there are others who are 
going to address that particular subject.
  Mr. Chair, I yield the balance of my time to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Lofgren), the chairman of the committee.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I would just note that the ballot harvesting 
issue, I think, has very little to do with the amendment offered by Mr. 
Hastings and that the remedy that has been suggested by my friend, Mr. 
Davis, was to use the system that was in place in North Carolina. 
Obviously, that didn't work. The remedy to fraud is prosecution, which 
is what is happening in North Carolina.
  I would note that, as we mentioned at the Rules Committee last night, 
in California, you can give your ballot that is sealed not only to your 
son, but to your next-door neighbor. You might be an elderly person who 
doesn't have family around.
  There has been no credible allegation of fraud, and we had monitors 
from both the Republican and Democratic parties, people from House 
Administration. There was no credible allegation of a problem.
  Mr. Chair, let's not compare apples and oranges. Let's support Mr. 
Hastings' amendment.
  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                  Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. Cole

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 5 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Mr. COLE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Strike subtitle G of title IV.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentleman 
from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma.
  Mr. COLE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment to 
H.R. 1.
  Mr. Chairman, this is a commonsense amendment that will maintain 
current law. Beginning with the National Defense Authorization Act of 
2012 and continuing to appropriation processes for every fiscal year 
since, I sponsored an amendment that barred the government from 
requiring Federal contractors to disclose campaign contributions as a 
condition for submitting a bid on a Federal contract. The amendment was 
adopted by the House on at least four separate occasions on a 
bipartisan basis and was signed into law by President Obama.
  Since H.R. 1 would remove this prohibition, I offer this amendment 
today to ensure that this ban remains in law. I have strong concerns 
that H.R. 1 attempts to repeal this provision.
  If the Federal Government would require contractors to disclose 
campaign contributions, it is only human nature that information like 
that would influence decisions on Federal contracts, regardless of what 
the law requires and what a contracting office is required to do. If we 
are interested in enshrining a pay-to-play culture as part of the 
contracting process, the Democratic proposal will do just that.
  Mr. Chairman, it has never been a good idea to mix politics and 
contracting. The danger of that is obvious. The information that could 
be required of contractors in the absence of this protection is not 
necessary to evaluate a bid made by a Federal contractor. It raises 
legitimate fears of political retaliation. If the information isn't 
necessary for the bid or the evaluation of the bid, then it is not 
necessary for the government to have it in the first place and run the 
risk that it might be misused.
  All that I am asking, Mr. Chairman, is that we leave the law as it 
is, the disclosure requirements as they are, and ensure that political 
contributions do not become a new litmus test to receive a government 
contract.
  Mr. Chair, for those reasons, I urge adoption of the amendment, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the 
amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from California is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  The gentleman's amendment to H.R. 1 would keep in place a provision 
of law that was inserted into must-pass pieces of legislation over the 
past few years. It makes it harder for voters to follow the money when 
it comes to government contractors and political spending.
  The amendment is anathema to the purposes of H.R. 1, which is to 
bolster confidence and trust in the American Government and shine a 
light on secret spending in elections. The gentlemen's amendment would 
further the status quo of dark money in our elections, and it would 
protect a culture of pay-to-play politics that Americans reject.
  Republicans in Congress, as Mr. Cole has mentioned, first included 
this language in the 2012 appropriations bill, then the 2014 
appropriations bill, and finally in the 2015 Consolidated 
Appropriations Act.
  H.R. 1, in title IV, subtitle G, repeals the restriction on requiring 
disclosure of campaign-related spending by those submitting an offer 
for a Federal contract. Repealing this restriction will curb the 
appearance of corruption that can go along with campaign-related money 
in government contracts. It will shine a light on dark money in 
politics.
  Americans have a right to know who is trying to influence them with 
political advertisements and campaign spending and what big campaign 
spenders want from the government in return.
  The Federal Government spends hundreds of billions of dollars a year 
on Federal contracts. Campaign-related spending should have nothing to 
do with influencing a contract, and disclosure will protect the 
integrity of the process and curb any appearance of corruption.
  After the Supreme Court decided Citizens United in 2010, undisclosed 
sources have spent more than $950 million in dark money to influence 
Federal elections, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive 
Politics. The money flows through a complex web of corporations, dark 
money, nonprofit organizations, super-PACs, and other groups. When 
money from

[[Page H2485]]

government contractors enters this web, it poses the exact type of 
threat to the integrity of our democratic system that our campaign 
finance laws are intended to protect against.
  While Federal law prohibits contracting entities from contributing to 
political candidates and parties, their directors, officers, and other 
affiliates could still give unlimited sums of dark money to groups that 
do not disclose their campaign-related donors, and that is why H.R. 1 
would repeal the restriction on disclosure.

                              {time}  1745

  The court held 8 to 1 in Citizens United that ``The First Amendment 
protects political speech; and disclosure permits citizens and 
shareholders to react to the speech of corporate entities in a proper 
way. This transparency enables the electorate to make informed 
decisions and give proper weight to different speakers and messages.''
  The public has a right to follow the money, including money from 
government contractors to dark-money groups that did not disclose their 
spending.
  H.R. 1 ensures disclosure and transparency, both of which are 
critical to open and responsive democracy that protects the public 
interest. And this amendment, although I am sure well-intentioned, 
takes us in the wrong direction.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. COLE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Norman), my good friend.
  Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am a contractor. We do business and we 
build projects. If you want to see something that is going to skyrocket 
cost, the fact of asking what party and where they donate money has 
nothing to do with transparency. It just has to do with what political 
affiliation you have and it could weigh heavily in who is selected for 
a job, which has nothing to do with the job that you are doing.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of Congressman Cole's amendment to 
maintain the status quo and prevent the government from using politics 
as a litmus test when evaluating bids from contractors.
  When the government buys goods or services, the only concern should 
be getting the best job at the best price, not who the company did or 
did not donate to in the last election. Companies should compete on 
value, not party loyalty.
  We see what happens when politics influences who receives government 
money. Let me give you an example.
  In December 2011, The Washington Post released a bombshell report 
finding ``Obama's green technology program was infused with politics at 
every level.''
  The Post found, through its review of thousands of memos and emails, 
that ``Political considerations were raised repeatedly by company 
investors, Energy Department bureaucrats, and White House officials.''
  Do you know what the result was? $500 million of taxpayer money went 
to a solar company, Solyndra, which went bankrupt. We can't let that 
happen again, but that is what requiring companies bidding on contracts 
to disclose their political activity as part of the bid process would 
lead to.
  Also troubling about this provision of H.R. 1 is that it repeals 
something we all just agreed to less than 1 month ago. If this 
amendment isn't adopted, H.R. 1 will repeal a provision of the funding 
bill we just passed.
  Two hundred and thirteen Democrats voted for the funding bill. I know 
this is a town of evolving political positions and flip-flopping, but I 
think that might just set a new record. I can't believe this body would 
vote for something like this and a month after to repeal it. Back home 
they call that a bait and switch.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I would just note that when a rider is 
added to the appropriations bill, you have to vote for the whole 
package to keep the government open.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield the remainder of my time to the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes).
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Chairman, as you know from the discussion today, we 
obviously feel very strongly that there needs to be as much disclosure 
as possible and transparency and accountability when it comes to how 
money flows into the political arena. I think the public has a 
particular apprehension about how insidious spending can be when it has 
to do with government contractors. The public deserves to know who is 
spending in their politics and, particularly, if contractors--who are 
the ones who are going to get these government contracts--are spending 
in a way that could potentially influence the contracting decisions. In 
a sense, what is happening is people are leaning on the government 
potentially using money and influence in a way that cuts against what 
the public interests might be.
  That is why prohibiting the executive branch from even considering--
that is what this rider does. It actually prohibits the executive 
branch from even sitting down and considering whether there should be 
certain rules that should govern what happens in the contractor space 
in terms of political spending. That doesn't make any sense. That 
doesn't make common sense that the executive branch ought to be able to 
figure out some rules so that that transparency is in place.
  That is why we want to repeal it. That is why we have that in H.R. 1. 
I oppose this amendment that would strike the repeal.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. COLE. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire how much time I have remaining.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Oklahoma has 1 minute remaining.
  Mr. COLE. Mr. Chairman, I want to disagree very profoundly with my 
friend.
  Frankly, what this amendment does is keep politics out of 
contracting. My friends want to put politics back into contracting. The 
decisions, as my friend, Mr. Norman, mentioned, on contracts, ought to 
be made on the basis of the quality of the bid and the quality of the 
job. There is no reason to ask for political information when you are 
evaluating whether or not a bridge should be built or whether or not a 
road should be paved and who should do that.
  Frankly, what we are going to do is inject politics by requiring the 
list of political contributors. If you don't think that will matter, I 
think you are being painfully naive.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge support of the amendment, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole).
  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes 
appeared to have it.
  Mr. COLE. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Oklahoma 
will be postponed.


                 Amendment No. 6 Offered by Ms. Scanlon

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 6 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 311, insert after line 8 the following new subtitle 
     (and conform the succeeding subtitles accordingly):

        Subtitle F--Election Security Grants Advisory Committee

     SEC. 3501. ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       (a) In General.--Subtitle A of title II of the Help America 
     Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20921 et seq.) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:

         ``PART 4--ELECTION SECURITY GRANTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

     ``SEC. 225. ELECTION SECURITY GRANTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established an 
     advisory committee (hereinafter in this part referred to as 
     the `Committee') to assist the Commission with respect to the 
     award of grants to States under this Act for the purpose of 
     election security.
       ``(b) Duties.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Committee shall, with respect to an 
     application for a grant received by the Commission--
       ``(A) review such application; and
       ``(B) recommend to the Commission whether to award the 
     grant to the applicant.
       ``(2) Considerations.--In reviewing an application pursuant 
     to paragraph (1)(A), the Committee shall consider--

[[Page H2486]]

       ``(A) the record of the applicant with respect to--
       ``(i) compliance of the applicant with the requirements 
     under subtitle A of title III; and
       ``(ii) adoption of voluntary guidelines issued by the 
     Commission under subtitle B of title III; and
       ``(B) the goals and requirements of election security as 
     described in title III of the For the People Act of 2019.
       ``(c) Membership.--The Committee shall be composed of 15 
     individuals appointed by the Executive Director of the 
     Commission with experience and expertise in election 
     security.
       ``(d) No Compensation for Service.--Members of the 
     Committee shall not receive any compensation for their 
     service, but shall be paid travel expenses, including per 
     diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for 
     employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of 
     title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or 
     regular places of business in the performance of services for 
     the Committee.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
     Act.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentlewoman 
from Pennsylvania (Ms. Scanlon) and a Member opposed each will control 
5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania.
  Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Chairman, my first amendment is amendment No. 6. 
This straightforward amendment would establish a committee of election 
security experts to review grant requests to ensure that funds for 
election security infrastructure are best spent.
  This committee would be established under the Election Assistance 
Commission, the EAC, and act alongside the three existing Federal 
advisory committees that were created under the Help America Vote Act.
  Currently, the three existing boards have advisory and oversight 
responsibilities to assist the EAC in carrying out its mission under 
the law and reviewing voluntary voter system guidelines. There is not, 
however, enough expertise within these three committees to properly 
determine how funds related to election security grants are best spent.
  Election security is one of the critical pillars of H.R. 1, and my 
amendment would help ensure that the EAC has everything it needs to 
properly vet grants to help improve and secure voting systems across 
the United States.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Arizona is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Chairman, having read over the amendment, there 
are a couple of concerns I want to walk you through. And please 
understand, I am one of those--I co-chair the Blockchain Caucus. I have 
a fascination with could we ever move to encrypted blockchain security 
of these levels of information.
  But if you actually walk through this amendment, it is a little 
hollow in its details. The executive director gets to appoint a 15-
member, we will call it, committee. Tell me that those 15 members in 
this amendment can't have relationships with a certain security firm, 
or with a certain vendor, or with certain things. I will argue that you 
are creating now functionally a fourth committee within the commission 
and handing an awful lot of power to the executive director without a 
lot of guidelines, that should actually, in many ways, make both 
Democrats and Republicans a bit nervous.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Chairman, the intent of the amendment is to 
establish a committee that parallels the three existing committees and, 
therefore, would use the same properties as those committees for 
appointment, et cetera.
  The gentleman who argued against the last amendment was suggesting 
that it would be too intrusive to interject too much specificity in the 
amendment, so I guess we have a flip situation here. But the idea is to 
parallel the three existing commissions and have the 15-person 
committee appointed using the same processes.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate and I love the concepts of 
technology. I am really concerned. This should actually be a bipartisan 
concern, because at some point is that executive director going to be 
one party or another, or demonstrate certain political bias?
  But if you hand sole authority to the executive director to appoint a 
15-member commission that is going to establish saying, here is how we 
are going to review these grants and what sort of grants and direction, 
I am sorry, but you are creating all sorts of both policy leakage here, 
potentially a favoritism to certain either technologies or securities 
or firms.
  I don't have a problem with the attention. I think it is actually an 
authority that should have been given to one of the other committees 
instead of creating a fourth one, because we have this tendency, as 
Members of Congress, to sort of create bureaucracies on top of 
bureaucracies.
  But please understand--and I am being as genuine as I can--I fear 
that it may not happen now, it may not happen for a few years, but you 
are creating, as technology changes, as there will be a time in our 
future where I may be voting through a blockchain technology on my 
phone, have you just created the very commission that actually said: 
Hey, here is the security mechanics. Oh, by the way, our security 
mechanics favor the seven people who actually have a relationship to 
this particular security encryption who have a friend who is a friend? 
I am sorry; it is just not designed with enough comfort when this is 
about our voting system.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the fact that we share a 
common concern about our election security and an interest in using the 
best technology to protect that security.
  The intent here is to make sure that we are spending congressional 
dollars wisely as there are these grants being awarded. The amendment 
was devised, after hearing from interested parties, that there was not 
sufficient expertise on the three existing committees. And I would 
suggest that if the dangers, which the word the gentleman has 
suggested, were to come to pass, that that would be an excellent 
opportunity for congressional oversight.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Arizona has 2 minutes remaining.
  Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Chairman, having been here for a little while, be 
careful--good intentions--and when people often bring those issues and 
bring those--be careful. You may have good intentions. And the 
intentions of often those who bring us a thought or an issue, until we 
have vetted whether they have particular potential economic interests--
I am just sharing my concern--the amendment, just as it is designed 
right now, our side is going to have to vote no because we create a 
fourth level. We don't create enough definitions. We hand so much power 
to the executive director.
  Mr. Chairman, I would love to talk to the gentlewoman about election 
encryption and my personal fixation on blockchain technology. But for 
this one, I think we may miss the mark.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1800

  Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the much more experienced 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes).
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania 
(Ms. Scanlon) for yielding, and I thank her for her amendment.
  I would just say very quickly, I think this is a good amendment that 
actually improves the bill. And to the point of the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Schweikert), it is because technology is changing quickly 
all the time and one has to kind of keep ahead of the curve on that to 
make sure the decisions are made in a sensible way, that having a 
committee that can assemble the kind of expertise that you need to 
bring to bear on a decision like this makes perfect sense. It can allow 
the EAC to function better.
  Evaluating these security grants, I think, makes a lot of sense, and 
they can keep up-to-date on what the changing technology is so that the 
EAC can benefit from that input.
  So I think it is an outstanding amendment. I want to thank the 
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms.

[[Page H2487]]

Scanlon) for introducing it. I support it.
  Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the amendment, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Scanlon).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 7 Offered by Ms. Scanlon

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 7 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Chair, I have a second amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 454, insert after line 23 the following (and conform 
     the succeeding section accordingly):

     SEC. 5114. STUDY AND REPORT ON SMALL DOLLAR FINANCING 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) Study and Report.--Not later than 2 years after the 
     completion of the first election cycle in which the program 
     established under title V of the Federal Election Campaign 
     Act of 1971, as added by section 5111, is in effect, the 
     Federal Election Commission shall--
       (1) assess--
       (A) the amount of payment referred to in section 501 of 
     such Act; and
       (B) the amount of a qualified small dollar contribution 
     referred to in section 504(a)(1) of such Act; and
       (2) submit to Congress a report that discuses whether such 
     amounts are sufficient to meet the goals of the program.
       (b) Update.--The Commission shall update and revise the 
     study and report required by subsection (a) on a biennial 
     basis.
       (c) Termination.--The requirements of this section shall 
     terminate ten years after the date on which the first study 
     and report required by subsection (a) is submitted to 
     Congress.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentlewoman 
from Pennsylvania (Ms. Scanlon) and a Member opposed each will control 
5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania.
  Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Chair, my next amendment is Amendment No. 7.
  The amendment would require the Federal Election Comission to conduct 
a study to specifically assess whether the small donor match cap and 
the 6-to-1 ratio contained in H.R. 1 is appropriately scaled for both 
House and Senate elections.
  H.R. 1 will empower everyday Americans through each of these systems 
by bringing more and more people into the political fold.
  This system of small donor campaign funding is relatively new to the 
Federal system but has been tried in States and localities nationwide 
to great effect. New York City has had a matching funds program in 
place since the 1980s, and over 80 percent of the 2015 Connecticut 
State Legislature was elected under the Citizens' Election public 
financing program.
  It is important and necessary to study these issues at the Federal 
level, and my amendment would ensure that the Federal Government has 
all of the relevant information it needs when proceeding with any 
future changes to these programs.
  Mr. Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Arizona is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Chair, I actually appreciate the study 
mechanisms, but this is actually one a little bit broader.
  How many of us are from States that have actually had public funding 
or public matching of our State legislatures?
  I am from Arizona; I have actually lived this experience. And do 
understand, we used to--in Arizona--refer to it as the ``no new 
moderates'' piece of legislation.
  If you actually look at what happened to Arizona--and my 
understanding is this happened in other States--personal experience: I 
was 28 years old when I got elected to the Arizona Legislature.
  I was there. You had to go knock on a door. You had to ask someone 
for a couple hundred dollars. You had to listen to them. They would 
look you in the eye, and if they thought you weren't worthy, you walked 
out the door without anything. It turns out asking for money is part of 
the vetting process.
  Well, a few years later--so we have had it for 25 years in Arizona--
here is what happened:
  You are part of the group over here on the right or you are part of 
this group on the left. In Arizona, you get a couple hundred people to 
write you a $5 contribution, and you get elected. Within two election 
cycles, we wiped out half of Democrats, half of Republicans, maybe one-
third of the body who were in the moderates.
  So when I was in that State legislature for 4 years, half the 
Republicans were conservatives, half the Republicans were moderate; 
same thing on the Democratic side. After just functionally 4 years of 
public funding or public match, they were gone.
  I appreciate the study of saying: Hey, this amendment is really about 
knowing, you know, do the dollars match, do the mechanisms match? And I 
don't know if the FEC is the right place to go to say: Are we about to 
try to finance the bipolar--the extremisms on both ends?
  In many ways, this piece of legislation--at least this mechanic right 
here--you have got to understand what you are doing. You are going to 
wipe out the middle.
  This is, in many ways, the ``no new moderates'' piece of legislation.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes).
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  The gentleman is right. There are examples of these systems across 
the country. Actually, Maryland has, now, two jurisdictions that have 
embraced public financing.
  You are worried about the moderates being wiped out. In fact, what is 
happening is the moderates are fleeing the political town square 
because they feel like their vote doesn't matter and their engagement 
doesn't matter because they support people who then go to places where 
laws are made, and those folks are getting taken hostage by the big 
money and the special interests.
  So the smart moderate voter out there says: What is the point? I am 
going to opt out of the political system.
  And when they vacate the political town square, then the extremes run 
in and they fill the vacuum.
  So, actually, if you want to bring moderates back in, if you want to 
bring citizens across the political spectrum back into our system, 
create something that makes them feel empowered. That is what this 
small donor matching system is all about. Then you will get these 
people who have run up into the hills and have said: My democracy 
doesn't respect me anymore.
  By the way, these are the ballasts in the ship of state, those kind 
of folks, engaged citizens who feel like the democracy should work for 
them. But the evidence they get every day is that the big money is 
running the show: Why don't I just save myself, you know, my dignity, 
by stepping back, because why am I going to pretend that my voice 
actually matters, that my involvement matters?
  We create a system that makes them feel like they have power again, 
and they will come out of the hills. They will come back down into the 
political town square. They will help create that moderation that you 
are talking about, because they are solid citizens who care about their 
democracy.
  So this is a very important amendment because it will give us a 
retrospective on how the system is working. We can collect that data, 
and then that will inform any improvements we want to make going 
forward.
  Mr. Chair, I congratulate the gentlewoman on her amendment, and I 
support it.
  Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Chair, how much time is remaining?
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Arizona has 2\1/2\ minutes 
remaining. The gentlewoman from Pennsylvania has 2 minutes remaining.
  Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the thoughtful queries from the 
gentleman from Arizona, and that is precisely what this amendment is 
directed towards. It is an amendment to H.R. 1 which sets up a small 
dollar financing program, and this will allow us to assess how it is 
working going forward.

[[Page H2488]]

  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Chair, I accept this as--and I don't mean this in 
a mean fashion, but I accept this as one of the tenets of faith on the 
Democratic side.
  The gentleman from Maryland--wonderfully articulate--that isn't what 
happened. I mean, you have 25 years in other States and other 
communities, particularly in legislative bodies. I thought the same 
thing.
  But the fact of the matter is, what you do in this fashion is the 
person who is part of a certain leftist group, right group: I just need 
these folks to write me enough checks so that I get enough matching, or 
a good direct mail vendor who hits the ideological extreme so I get 
those dollars.
  Those aren't the facts. And on occasion, we have to take a step back 
and take a look at sort of the incubators of democracy and experience, 
which is our State legislatures, and understand the reality of what has 
happened.
  I am a conservative. It worked out fine for my view of the world, but 
understand--at least in my State legislature--within 4 years, this type 
of plan completely changed the character of the population that was 
representing the people in Arizona.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCANLON. Mr. Chair, I would just close by saying, once again, the 
intent of this is to study and make sure we have the best possible 
system going forward.
  I know that Representative Sarbanes and others have studied the 
existing mechanisms out there to try and implement this kind of small 
donor matching system. I am sorry it didn't work out in Arizona, but I 
think we have a great plan here going forward.
  Mr. Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Chair, wishes and hopes and optimism are not 
public policy. Be careful what you are asking for here. There are real-
life examples across our country with what this did to our democracy. 
Understand the damage you are about to do.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Scanlon).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 8 Offered by Mr. Morelle

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 8 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 24, line 24, strike ``30 days'' and insert ``28 
     days''.
       Page 72, insert after line 2 the following:

     SEC. 1052. ENSURING PRE-ELECTION REGISTRATION DEADLINES ARE 
                   CONSISTENT WITH TIMING OF LEGAL PUBLIC 
                   HOLIDAYS.

       (a) In General.--Section 8(a)(1) of the National Voter 
     Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(1)) is amended 
     by striking ``30 days'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``28 days''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to elections held in 2020 or any 
     succeeding year.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Morelle) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
  Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer an amendment intended 
to make it easier to register to vote by ensuring the deadline does not 
fall on a public holiday.
  Millions of registration applications are handled through the mail 
and through local Departments of Motor Vehicles. Current Federal law 
requires States to accept registration forms postmarked or submitted 30 
days before election.
  However, Mr. Chair, it just so happens, in some years, 30 days before 
election day falls exactly on Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, or 
another public holiday. This results in a shorter window for 
preelection registration, and many Americans may not even realize the 
holiday could disrupt their plans to register. Without Postal Service 
or DMV hours on the holidays, some voters have been unable to get their 
registrations in on time.
  My amendment makes a simple change. The deadline to postmark your 
ballots, register online or visit a government office to submit your 
registration will be changed from 30 days to 28 days prior to election 
day.
  This provides voters simply more time to submit their registration 
without burdening local election officials with rapid turnaround time 
and ensures that the deadline never falls on a holiday.
  Every day leading up to election day is an opportunity for thousands 
of Americans across the country to update their registration or 
register for the first time. By ensuring the cutoff for advanced 
registration is only 28 days before an election and ensuring that date 
doesn't fall on a public holiday, we can give more Americans the chance 
to prepare to cast their ballots.
  Now, H.R. 1 already allows for same-day voter registration in every 
State--a policy I strongly support--as it will make it easier for every 
citizen to exercise their franchise. But H.R. 1 still provides for 
voters the option to register in advance if they so choose; and when 
they choose that option, this amendment will give them enough time to 
do so, making certain that their paperwork is not rejected for being 
postmarked or submitted on a public holiday.
  This is a simple change, but it is one that can make voting a little 
easier for Americans across the Nation, and I hope we can all agree 
that is a change worth making.
  Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to support this amendment, and I thank 
the ranking member for his extraordinary work, as well as the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes), the sponsor of the bill.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Morelle).
  The amendment was agreed to.

                              {time}  1815


                 Amendment No. 9 Offered by Ms. Shalala

  The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Cartwright). It is now in order to consider 
amendment No. 9 printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Ms. SHALALA. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       In section 8022 of title VIII, insert after subsection (c) 
     the following (and redesignate subsection (d) as subsection 
     (e)):
       (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 45 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of 
     Government Ethics shall submit a report to Congress on the 
     impact of the application of subsection (b), including the 
     name of any individual who received a waiver or authorization 
     described in subsection (a) and who, by operation of 
     subsection (b), submitted the information required by such 
     subsection.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentlewoman 
from Florida (Ms. Shalala) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.
  Ms. SHALALA. Mr. Chairman, last year, we learned that of the 59 EPA 
hires, roughly a third worked as registered lobbyists or lawyers for 
fossil fuel producers, chemical manufacturers, or other corporate 
clients. Several of these EPA hires have gotten waivers, allowing them 
to participate in actions involving their former clients. This directly 
impacts my district.
  In my district, climate change and sea level rise aren't debated. 
These are not partisan issues because, for Miami, climate change is 
life or death. There are no climate deniers in south Florida. This is a 
real-life example of why these ethics waivers matter, and they matter 
to my constituents.
  I am very pleased that H.R. 1 mandates that the executive branch 
promptly disclose waivers of executive branch ethics rules to the 
Office of Government Ethics.
  My amendment will maximize transparency by highlighting who is now 
captured by the upgraded ethics waiver regime. We need to know who is 
now getting these waivers, why they are getting it, and what are the 
implications. We need to know the impact so

[[Page H2489]]

that we can simply uphold our constitutional duty as Members of 
Congress and hold this administration accountable and hold future 
administrations accountable.
  Whether it impacts climate change policy, foreign policy, health 
policy, or any other issue, the American people deserve to know who is 
working behind closed doors in their government.
  Mr. Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Chair, H.R. 1 as currently drafted requires the 
Office of Government Ethics to make ethics waivers issued to executive 
branch employees publicly available. The bill goes even further to 
mandate ethics waivers issued prior to the enactment of this 
legislation must also be made publicly available.
  This amendment requires OGE to submit a report to Congress within 45 
days of enactment regarding the implications of the retroactive 
applications of the ethics waiver process.
  H.R. 1 already gives the Office of Government Ethics vast new 
authorities and vast new responsibilities. This amendment would just 
place an additional burden on OGE, and I would urge, Mr. Chairman, that 
all Members oppose the amendment from the gentlewoman from Florida.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SHALALA. Mr. Chair, I do not believe that this is an undue burden 
on the Office of Government Ethics. It is simply a request for us to 
apply the new waiver to see what the explanations are for the number of 
ethics waivers that have already been given. It is simply a 
transparency issue, and it is perfectly appropriate for Congress to 
request this information.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. SHALALA. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Shalala).
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Chair understands that amendment No. 10 will 
not be offered.


                 Amendment No. 11 Offered by Mr. Biggs

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 11 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 75, after line 25, insert the following:

               PART 8--VOTER REGISTRATION EFFICIENCY ACT

     SEC. 1081. SHORT TITLE.

       This part may be cited as the ``Voter Registration 
     Efficiency Act''.

     SEC. 1082. REQUIRING APPLICANTS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVER'S 
                   LICENSES IN NEW STATE TO INDICATE WHETHER STATE 
                   SERVES AS RESIDENCE FOR VOTER REGISTRATION 
                   PURPOSES.

       (a) Requirements for Applicants for Licenses.--Section 5(d) 
     of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
     20504(d)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Any change'' and inserting ``(1) Any 
     change''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2)(A) A State motor vehicle authority shall require each 
     individual applying for a motor vehicle driver's license in 
     the State--
       ``(i) to indicate whether the individual resides in another 
     State or resided in another State prior to applying for the 
     license, and, if so, to identify the State involved; and
       ``(ii) to indicate whether the individual intends for the 
     State to serve as the individual's residence for purposes of 
     registering to vote in elections for Federal office.
       ``(B) If pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii) an individual 
     indicates to the State motor vehicle authority that the 
     individual intends for the State to serve as the individual's 
     residence for purposes of registering to vote in elections 
     for Federal office, the authority shall notify the motor 
     vehicle authority of the State identified by the individual 
     pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i), who shall notify the chief 
     State election official of such State that the individual no 
     longer intends for that State to serve as the individual's 
     residence for purposes of registering to vote in elections 
     for Federal office.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect with respect to elections occurring in 2019 
     or any succeeding year.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentleman 
from Arizona (Mr. Biggs) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
  Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Chairman, since the United States has a very mobile 
population--roughly 40 million Americans, or 14 percent of the United 
States population, move each year--voters rarely inform elected 
officials when they move, and voters can often be on the voter rolls in 
two or even more different States at one time. Unless States have an 
efficient way of communicating with one another, it is possible that 
they may not be able to identify an individual who is on the rolls in 
two different States.
  This bill, H.R. 1, makes it more difficult for States to use systems 
provided for under the National Voter Registration Act and under HAVA. 
Under current law, States can send out cards and go through a process, 
which was upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States in Ohio in 
2018.
  What my amendment does, simply, is require that new State residents 
applying for a driver's license notify the State if they intend to use 
their new residency for the purpose of voting; and if so, the amendment 
would mandate that the new State notify the applicant's previous State 
of residence so its chief election official can update voter lists 
accordingly.
  The amendment protects voters who are only making temporary moves to 
another State, while enabling States to more efficiently manage the 
voter registration file for the vast majority of applicants who are 
making a permanent move to a new State.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time 
in opposition, although I do not oppose the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from California is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, this amendment would require applicants for 
motor vehicle licenses to indicate whether they previously resided in a 
different State and which State the applicant intends to be their 
residence for the purpose of voter registration. I think it could be 
helpful in terms of preventing registrations in two States. However, it 
is potentially redundant with other provisions in H.R. 1.
  When all States implement automatic voter registration, States will 
transmit change of address duplicate license information electronically 
and wouldn't need to collect this information from individuals.
  Further, States are able to use a reliable set of data for sharing 
information on registered voters, called the Electronic Registration 
Information Center, established originally by the Pew Charitable 
Trusts, currently utilized by 26 States--by the way, including 
Arizona--so it has a very high accuracy rate.
  Nevertheless, redundancy is our friend, and I certainly do not oppose 
this amendment.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs).
  The amendment was agreed to.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the motion that the Committee 
rise.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, I withdraw my motion for the Committee to 
rise.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the motion is withdrawn.
  There was no objection.


         Amendment No. 12 Offered by Mr. Ted Lieu of California

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 12 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the 
desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:
       After subtitle G of title VIII, insert the following (and 
     redesignate subtitle H as subtitle I):

[[Page H2490]]

  


 Subtitle H--Travel on Private Aircraft by Senior Political Appointees

     SECTION 8081. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Stop Waste And Misuse 
     by Presidential Flyers Landing Yet Evading Rules and 
     Standards'' or the ``SWAMP FLYERS''.

     SEC. 8082. PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR TRAVEL ON PRIVATE 
                   AIRCRAFT.

       (a) In General.--Beginning on the date of enactment of this 
     subtitle, no Federal funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available in any fiscal year may be used to pay the travel 
     expenses of any senior political appointee for travel on 
     official business on a non-commercial, private, or chartered 
     flight.
       (b) Exceptions.--The limitation in subsection (a) shall not 
     apply--
       (1) if no commercial flight was available for the travel in 
     question, consistent with subsection (c); or
       (2) to any travel on aircraft owned or leased by the 
     Government.
       (c) Certification.--
       (1) In general.--Any senior political appointee who travels 
     on a non-commercial, private, or chartered flight under the 
     exception provided in subsection (b)(1) shall, not later than 
     30 days after the date of such travel, submit a written 
     statement to Congress certifying that no commercial flight 
     was available.
       (2) Penalty.--Any statement submitted under paragraph (1) 
     shall be considered a statement for purposes of applying 
     section 1001 of title 18, United States Code.
       (d) Definition of Senior Political Appointee.--In this 
     subtitle, the term ``senior political appointee'' means any 
     individual occupying--
       (1) a position listed under the Executive Schedule 
     (subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code);
       (2) a Senior Executive Service position that is not a 
     career appointee as defined under section 3132(a)(4) of such 
     title; or
       (3) a position of a confidential or policy-determining 
     character under schedule C of subpart C of part 213 of title 
     5, Code of Federal Regulations.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Ted Lieu) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.

                              {time}  1830

  Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chairman, let me first start off by 
commending Representative   John Sarbanes for H.R. 1 and everyone who 
has worked on behalf of this historic bill.
  Today I rise in support of amendment 12 to H.R. 1. Last term, I 
introduced what is known as the SWAMP FLYERS Act to make sure that 
government officials don't abuse taxpayer funds for their luxury travel 
preferences. We did not get a vote on this bill last term. I am very 
pleased that now I am going to be able to offer it as an amendment to 
H.R. 1
  This is a commonsense amendment. It would simply prevent government 
officials from using taxpayer funds to travel on a private, chartered, 
or noncommercial flight. If your official business needs you to go on 
one of those really expensive flights, you might want to think twice 
about why you are doing it.
  Eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse has long been a bipartisan 
mission of the U.S. Congress, and I can think of few more obvious 
candidates than paying for private jets for Cabinet officials to travel 
across the country. As every Member of Congress knows, you can reach 
any district of the U.S. just flying commercial.
  I think it is disturbing I even have to introduce this amendment, but 
let me just walk folks through some of the corruption we have seen in 
the last 2 years.
  Former HHS Secretary Tom Price spent more than $400,000 in travel on 
private jets.
  Former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke spent over $39,000 of taxpayer 
funds on a helicopter tour of national monuments in Nevada. He then 
spent an additional $12,000 of taxpayer funds on a private jet to go to 
Las Vegas, Nevada, to speak to a hockey team owned by a major donor.
  Former Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin spent over $122,000 
in taxpayer funds to go with his wife to Europe for the primary purpose 
of sightseeing.
  Then we have got former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, who spent at 
least $58,000 on chartered flights.
  I could go on.
  If this had been law, they would not have been able to do this. 
Hardworking Americans deserve better. A vote against this amendment is 
really something that taxpayers would not appreciate.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this 
commonsense amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Chairman, this is duplicative of current rules. 
Political appointees are government employees who are held to specific 
travel and ethics standards already. Restrictions are there and have 
been there, but the Democrats seem to want more bureaucrats involved in 
the review.
  Political appointees follow these fundamentals, among others, related 
to Federal travel: travel must be conducted in the most efficient and 
effective manner and only when necessary to accomplish the purposes of 
the government, and employees traveling on official business are 
expected to exercise the same care when incurring expenses as a prudent 
person would on personal business.
  Current Federal travel guidelines for political appointees already 
limit travel flight expenses to common carrier commercial fares. The 
only time private company aircraft can be accepted is if no other 
travel arrangements are practically available or when they are offered 
to your spouse, but explicitly not because of the political appointee's 
position. Either way, all of this would be required to be run through 
the White House Counsel's office.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge that we oppose the amendment, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chairman, I want to note that a 
number of these Cabinet officials defended the use of luxury travel 
preferences by saying that their travel was approved.
  So, clearly, there is not enough in the law to stop this abusive 
behavior of taxpayer funds. Again, if you just look at the abuse of 
travel, we know we can stop it. There is no justification for it.
  Mr. Chairman, I request that my colleagues vote for this amendment, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TED LIEU of California. In closing, this is a commonsense 
amendment. I appreciate, again, the historic nature of H.R. 1. 
Preventing travel abuse by Cabinet officials is something that we can 
all support on a bipartisan basis.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Ted Lieu).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                Amendment No. 13 Offered by Ms. Jayapal

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 13 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Insert after section 8005 the following:

     SEC. 8006. GUIDANCE ON UNPAID EMPLOYEES.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of 
     Government Ethics shall issue guidance on ethical standards 
     applicable to unpaid employees of an agency.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section--
       (1) the term ``agency'' includes the Executive Office of 
     the President and the White House; and
       (2) the term ``unpaid employee'' includes any individual 
     occupying a position at an agency and who is unpaid by 
     operation of section 3110 of title 5, United States Code, or 
     any other provision of law, but does not include any employee 
     who is unpaid due to a lapse in appropriations.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentlewoman 
from Washington (Ms. Jayapal) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Washington.
  Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Chairman, I come to the floor today to speak on this 
amendment that simply requires unpaid government employees to comply 
with the same ethics rules as paid employees.
  President Trump has exploited this ethics loophole for his daughter 
Ivanka Trump and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who both work in the 
White House.
  Requiring your daughter and your son-in-law to be subject to the same

[[Page H2491]]

ethics rules as everyone else is simply basic common sense. It is not a 
Democratic issue or a Republican issue, but it is core to our democracy 
and our national security.
  The purpose of ethics rules, Mr. Chairman, is to ensure that 
conflicts of interest do not interfere in the operations of our 
government. This is critical so that the American people trust that the 
people guiding our country's laws and policies are acting with the best 
interests of our country and the American people at heart and not 
foreign or business interests. But President Trump's hiring of his 
daughter Ivanka Trump, and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as unpaid 
advisers has raised serious concerns.
  Shortly after the 2016 elections, Ivanka Trump participated in her 
dad's meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister as her namesake clothing 
brand, Ivanka Trump Marks LLC, was simultaneously negotiating a 
licensing deal with Sanei International, a company whose largest 
shareholder is the Japanese Government.
  In addition, her company received preliminary approvals for 16 new 
trademarks from China during the President's trade war with China. In 
one case, Ivanka Trump and Chinese President Xi dined together at Mar-
a-Lago the same day that China approved the three trademarks for the 
First Daughter.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Chairman, as the gentlewoman said, this amendment 
would require the Office of Government Ethics to promulgate rules to 
apply ethics laws to unpaid employees of the Executive Office and 
President of the White House. As she also mentioned, this is clearly to 
go after Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. It seems to me that this is 
not the kind of thing that we should be focused on.
  Miss Trump has been appointed as an executive branch employee and is 
now covered by the ethics laws and regulations that apply to all 
executive branch employees. It seems to me this is congressional 
overreach and redundant of current ethics rules and practices of other 
folks who have worked in the executive branch.
  As I said, I oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the incredible 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes), who has been leading this 
effort.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I 
thank her for this amendment which is, as she says, a very commonsense 
amendment. I don't really understand what the objection would be.
  If you don't apply the same ethical standards to unpaid staff or 
people who are working in the executive branch as you do to paid, what 
you are left with is a gigantic loophole that could be taken advantage 
of, and I don't think that the average person out there could 
understand why you would make that kind of distinction. So this is a 
very logical thing to do. Just because you are not paid doesn't mean 
you might not have a conflict of interest.
  So this is an amendment that simply directs the Office of Government 
Ethics to come up with some rules to make sure that senior 
administration officials, special governmental employees who draw no 
salary, are still going to abide by the ethics laws.
  Again, if the job here of all of us is to meet the expectations of 
the public in terms of how things should function up here in 
Washington, abiding ethical standards and observing conflicts of 
interest rules, then this meets that expectation directly. I think it 
is a good amendment.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, once again, I just reiterate that what we are saying is 
whether you are paid or unpaid, you have to go through the same 
security clearances; and whether you are paid or unpaid, you have to 
deal with the same ethics regulations. Particularly when unpaid 
employees are put into serious positions where national security 
clearances are required and where they have access to top secret 
information, we need to make sure that those ethics rules apply to 
everybody.
  Now, frankly, we didn't see this as a loophole in the past because it 
hasn't been exploited in the same way, but, unfortunately, that is what 
is happening now.
  Mr. Chairman, I think that this should raise serious concerns for 
anybody. We need to make sure that the people who are in our government 
are facing the same transparent ethics rules whether you are a relative 
of the person in the Oval Office or not.
  We have ethics laws for a reason. The United States is not a despotic 
country built on nepotism, and we need to make sure that it is in 
everyone's best interest when all of these employees are subject to 
ethics laws, including laws that prohibit employees from participating 
in matters in which they have a financial interest or from misusing 
their official positions.
  Mr. Chairman, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this 
amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Jayapal).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                Amendment No. 14 Offered by Ms. Jayapal

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 14 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:
       Page 537, insert after line 10 the following:

     SEC. 7202. PROHIBITING RECEIPT OF COMPENSATION FOR LOBBYING 
                   ACTIVITIES ON BEHALF OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES 
                   VIOLATING HUMAN RIGHTS.

       (a) Prohibition.--The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 
     U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 5 
     the following new section:

     ``SEC. 5A. PROHIBITING RECEIPT OF COMPENSATION FOR LOBBYING 
                   ACTIVITIES ON BEHALF OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES 
                   VIOLATING HUMAN RIGHTS.

       ``(a) Prohibition.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this Act, no person may accept financial or other 
     compensation for lobbying activity under this Act on behalf 
     of a client who is a government which the President has 
     determined is a government that engages in gross violations 
     of human rights.
       ``(b) Clarification of Treatment of Diplomatic or Consular 
     Officers.--Nothing in this section may be construed to affect 
     any activity of a duly accredited diplomatic or consular 
     officer of a foreign government who is so recognized by the 
     Department of State, while said officer is engaged in 
     activities which are recognized by the Department of State as 
     being within the scope of the functions of such officer.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to lobbying activity under the 
     Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 which occurs pursuant to 
     contracts entered into on or after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentlewoman 
from Washington (Ms. Jayapal) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Washington.
  Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would stop lobbyists from 
working on behalf of foreign governments with gross human rights 
violations.
  Countries with human rights abuses should use the diplomatic process 
to express their views and not try to influence the American Government 
when hiding behind highly paid K Street lobbyists.
  H.R. 1, the For the People Act, is a historic bill that aims to 
restore the promise of our Nation's democracy and the culture of 
corruption in Washington, reduce the role of money in politics, and 
return power back to the American people. My amendment furthers this 
goal by limiting the role of dark money in our foreign policy.
  Take, for instance, Mr. Chairman, Saudi Arabia. After 9/11, Saudi 
Arabia was implicated in the most destructive attack on American soil 
in our history. Yet 15 years later, the country was the leading 
recipient of U.S. arms sales.
  For nearly 4 years, Saudi Arabia has perpetrated the worst 
humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen, with U.S. military participation in 
its bombings and complicity in a blockade that has deprived millions of 
food and medicine. Despite the Saudis' indiscriminate killing of 
civilians, Secretary of State

[[Page H2492]]

Mike Pompeo has certified that the country has been protecting 
civilians just last year.
  Most recently, Saudi Arabia murdered U.S.-based journalist Jamal 
Khashoggi while President Trump rejected the evidence from his own 
intelligence agencies that Saudi Arabia's crown prince ordered the 
murder.
  How does Saudi Arabia maintain its relationship with the United 
States? It shouldn't surprise anyone that Saudi Arabia spent about $27 
million on U.S. lobbying and public relations in 2017 alone.
  Individuals affiliated with the Trump administration like Paul 
Manafort and Michael Flynn have also taken substantial sums of money 
from foreign countries to lobby the American Government.
  Paul Manafort lobbied on behalf of pro-Russian forces in Ukraine in 
2005, and prosecutors allege that Mr. Manafort was working on Ukrainian 
politics well into 2018, even after Special Counsel Mueller indicted 
him. He didn't even report the payments he was receiving for his 
lobbying efforts, in flagrant violation of current law.
  Though not charged with lobbying illegally, Manafort has still had a 
long history of lobbying on behalf of the world's most brutal 
dictators, including Mobutu Sese Seko, Ferdinand Marcos, and Jonas 
Savimbi. He is rumored to have accepted a briefcase from a Marcos 
affiliate with $10 million in cash to give to the Reagan campaign.
  Finally, Michael Flynn, President Trump's former National Security 
Advisor, worked on a $15 million plan to kidnap a political enemy of 
Turkish President Erdogan and fly him to an island prison. Mr. Flynn 
was paid at least $530,000 for lobbying on behalf of the Turkish 
Government between August and November of 2016. Mr. Chairman, he did 
not retroactively register as a foreign agent with the Justice 
Department until March 7, 2017.

                              {time}  1845

  This is a commonsense amendment that brings transparency and ensures 
that we protect our system from this type of lobbying from those 
countries that have gross human rights violations.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Chair, another bad amendment to a bad bill. This 
amendment suffers from the same defects as the underlying bill. It 
continues the same regrettable trend by our colleagues on the other 
side of the aisle of trying to silence speakers they don't like.
  Portions of this bill are so radical that, as we have said several 
times already, even the ACLU came out today and asked Members of this 
body not to vote for it. The ACLU said H.R. 1 would unconstitutionally 
burden free speech and associational rights. This amendment is more of 
the same tactics that caused the ACLU to oppose the underlying 
legislation.
  As I said, a bad amendment to a bad bill. Put that all together, it 
makes everything worse.
  The Lobbying Disclosure Act, which this amendment would seek to 
change, is about disclosure and increasing public awareness, not 
preventing people from undertaking a lawful profession. The decision of 
whether to undertake representation of a client is a personal and 
professional matter, not one for central government planning.
  What my friends on the other side of the aisle seem not to understand 
is the answer to speech that they view as undesirable is more speech. 
It is called the First Amendment. It is called debate. The Federal 
Government should not and cannot constitutionally prevent the people it 
does not like from speaking.
  And we know it has tried. Just a few years ago, it did it. And I will 
continue to bring this up as long as the good folks in the Fourth 
District will have me in Congress.
  A few years ago, the IRS systematically, for a sustained period of 
time, went after people for their political beliefs--it happened; they 
did it--for the most fundamental liberty we have, our right to speak.
  Think about the First Amendment, freedom to practice your faith the 
way you want, freedom to assemble, freedom to petition your government, 
freedom of the press. All those are critically important.
  But your right to speak is fundamental, and your right to speak in a 
political fashion is what the Founders had most in mind when they 
talked about your free speech, First Amendment rights.
  This amendment goes to restrict it just like the bill does, and that 
is why the ACLU is against it. That is why I am against it.
  This is a bad idea to a bad piece of legislation. I mean, think about 
what is going on, on college campuses today: safe spaces, free speech 
zones, bias response teams. If you say something politically incorrect 
today on a college campus, you get harassed.
  In the last Congress, I asked a question in committee to a professor 
from one of these universities that are taxpayer subsidized. I said: 
Can a free speech zone and a safe space on a college campus be at the 
same location?
  He kind of chuckled. That is sort of the joke, because where is the 
free speech zone supposed to be in this country? Everywhere. It is 
called the First Amendment.
  I asked this one professor: Professor, in a safe space on a college 
campus, could I say this sentence: ``Donald Trump is President''?
  Think about this. Think about this. The professor began his response 
with this: Well, Congressman, it depends.
  I interrupted him, which I will do sometimes if I think the witness 
is saying something stupid.
  I said: It is a fact. There is no ``it depends'' about it. He got 
elected on November 8, 2016. He is President of the United States. He 
lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It is a fact.
  The idea that on some college campuses you can't say that because you 
are in some safe space is crazy. This is the absurd level that some on 
the left want to take us to when we are talking about the First 
Amendment.
  Thank goodness--thank goodness--the ACLU sees it for what it is and 
says vote ``no'' on this bill.
  Heck, yes, I am opposed to this amendment, just like I am opposed to 
the underlying legislation.
  Mr. Chair, I would urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Chair, I hope my colleagues on the other side who 
are just quoting the ACLU tonight are with us on everything else that 
the ACLU supports. I look forward to seeing that.
  I got a little distracted in the last speech, so I wanted to remind 
people what we are talking about in this amendment, which is that we 
would not allow lobbyists that are working on behalf of foreign 
governments with gross human rights violations to actually pay a bunch 
of lobbyists and hide behind highly paid K Street lobbyists to get 
their agenda.
  They should just use the diplomatic process. It is not like they are 
not going to have a voice. They can use their diplomatic process.
  That is all this amendment is. It is a smart amendment, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Jayapal).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                Amendment No. 15 Offered by Ms. Jayapal

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 15 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Insert after section 8014 the following:

     SEC. 8015. LEGAL DEFENSE FUNDS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section--
       (1) the term ``Director'' means the Director of the Office 
     of Government Ethics;
       (2) the term ``legal defense fund'' means a trust--
       (A) that has only one beneficiary;
       (B) that is subject to a trust agreement creating an 
     enforceable fiduciary duty on the part of the trustee to the 
     beneficiary, pursuant to the applicable law of the 
     jurisdiction in which the trust is established;
       (C) that is subject to a trust agreement that provides for 
     the mandatory public disclosure of all donations and 
     disbursements;
       (D) that is subject to a trust agreement that prohibits the 
     use of its resources for any purpose other than--

[[Page H2493]]

       (i) the administration of the trust;
       (ii) the payment or reimbursement of legal fees or expenses 
     incurred in investigative, civil, criminal, or other legal 
     proceedings relating to or arising by virtue of service by 
     the trust's beneficiary as an officer or employee, as defined 
     in this section, or as an employee, contractor, consultant or 
     volunteer of the campaign of the President or Vice President; 
     or
       (iii) the distribution of unused resources to a charity 
     selected by the trustee that has not been selected or 
     recommended by the beneficiary of the trust;
       (E) that is subject to a trust agreement that prohibits the 
     use of its resources for any other purpose or personal legal 
     matters, including tax planning, personal injury litigation, 
     protection of property rights, divorces, or estate probate; 
     and
       (F) that is subject to a trust agreement that prohibits the 
     acceptance of donations, except in accordance with this 
     section and the regulations of the Office of Government 
     Ethics;
       (3) the term ``lobbying activity'' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 
     (2 U.S.C. 1602);
       (4) the term ``officer or employee'' means--
       (A) an officer (as that term is defined in section 2104 of 
     title 5, United States Code) or employee (as that term is 
     defined in section 2105 of such title) of the executive 
     branch of the Government;
       (B) the Vice President; and
       (C) the President; and
       (5) the term ``relative'' has the meaning given that term 
     in section 3110 of title 5, United States Code.
       (b) Legal Defense Funds.--An officer or employee may not 
     accept or use any gift or donation for the payment or 
     reimbursement of legal fees or expenses incurred in 
     investigative, civil, criminal, or other legal proceedings 
     relating to or arising by virtue of the officer or employee's 
     service as an officer or employee, as defined in this 
     section, or as an employee, contractor, consultant or 
     volunteer of the campaign of the President or Vice President 
     except through a legal defense fund that is certified by the 
     Director of the Office of Government Ethics.
       (c) Limits on Gifts and Donations.--Not later than 120 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director 
     shall promulgate regulations establishing limits with respect 
     to gifts and donations described in subsection (b), which 
     shall, at a minimum--
       (1) prohibit the receipt of any gift or donation described 
     in subsection (b)--
       (A) from a single contributor (other than a relative of the 
     officer or employee) in a total amount of more than $5,000 
     during any calendar year;
       (B) from a registered lobbyist;
       (C) from a foreign government or an agent of a foreign 
     principal;
       (D) from a State government or an agent of a State 
     government;
       (E) from any person seeking official action from, or 
     seeking to do or doing business with, the agency employing 
     the officer or employee;
       (F) from any person conducting activities regulated by the 
     agency employing the officer or employee;
       (G) from any person whose interests may be substantially 
     affected by the performance or nonperformance of the official 
     duties of the officer or employee;
       (H) from an officer or employee of the executive branch;
       (I) from any organization a majority of whose members are 
     described in (A)-(H); or
       (J) require that a legal defense fund, in order to be 
     certified by the Director only permit distributions to the 
     officer or employee.
       (d) Written Notice.--
       (1) In general.--An officer or employee who wishes to 
     accept funds or have a representative accept funds from a 
     legal defense fund shall first ensure that the proposed 
     trustee of the legal defense fund submits to the Director the 
     following information:
       (A) The name and contact information for any proposed 
     trustee of the legal defense fund.
       (B) A copy of any proposed trust document for the legal 
     defense fund.
       (C) The nature of the legal proceeding (or proceedings), 
     investigation or other matter which give rise to the 
     establishment of the legal defense fund.
       (D) An acknowledgment signed by the officer or employee and 
     the trustee indicating that they will be bound by the 
     regulations and limitation under this section.
       (2) Approval.--An officer or employee may not accept any 
     gift or donation to pay, or to reimburse any person for, fees 
     or expenses described in subsection (b) of this section 
     except through a legal defense fund that has been certified 
     in writing by the Director following that office's receipt 
     and approval of the information submitted under paragraph (1) 
     and approval of the structure of the fund.
       (e) Reporting.--
       (1) In general.--An officer or employee who establishes a 
     legal defense fund may not directly or indirectly accept 
     distributions from a legal defense fund unless the fund has 
     provided the Director a quarterly report for each quarter of 
     every calendar year since the establishment of the legal 
     defense fund that discloses, with respect to the quarter 
     covered by the report--
       (A) the source and amount of each contribution to the legal 
     defense fund; and
       (B) the amount, recipient, and purpose of each expenditure 
     from the legal defense fund, including all distributions from 
     the trust for any purpose.
       (2) Public availability.--The Director shall make publicly 
     available online--
       (A) each report submitted under paragraph (1) in a 
     searchable, sortable, and downloadable form;
       (B) each trust agreement and any amendment thereto;
       (C) the written notice and acknowledgment required by 
     subsection (d); and
       (C) the Director's written certification of the legal 
     defense fund.
       (f) Recusal.--An officer or employee, other than the 
     President and the Vice President, who is the beneficiary of a 
     legal defense fund may not participate personally and 
     substantially in any particular matter in which the officer 
     or employee knows a donor of any source of a gift or donation 
     to the legal defense fund established for the officer or 
     employee has a financial interest, for a period of two years 
     from the date of the most recent gift or donation to the 
     legal defense fund.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentlewoman 
from Washington (Ms. Jayapal) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Washington.
  Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Chair, this amendment cleans up the so-called legal 
defense funds.
  Many Americans don't know this, but it is perfectly legal for 
government employees to set up a fund to help them pay their legal 
bills when they are in trouble with the law. Amazingly, they can pack 
this slush fund with unlimited donations from wealthy individuals and 
large corporations.
  In other words, employees in the White House can fund their legal 
defenses with contributions from the President's campaign backers or 
people who want to influence the President's decisions.
  Not surprisingly, this President's team has set up a legal defense 
fund, the Patriot Fund, to help staffers pay for their legal fees 
related to the Russia investigation. The Patriot Fund was cleared by 
the Office of Government Ethics under the Acting Director, David Apol, 
who was appointed by--you guessed it--President Trump.
  Former Trump campaign staffer Rick Gates and former National Security 
Advisor Michael Flynn have also set up legal defense funds.
  According to a political report from a month ago, Sheldon Adelson, 
who is the single largest donor to the Trump campaign, and his wife, 
Miriam, have each contributed $250,000 to the Patriot Fund, for a total 
of half a million dollars.
  The fund is flush, Mr. Chair. It is no wonder that one of Trump's 
former campaign staffers who has been interviewed by the House 
Intelligence Committee referred to the Patriot Fund as ``a real 
blessing.''
  Trump lawyers have said that decisions about which staffers' legal 
funds are paid out of the Patriot Fund will not be related to whether 
the individual in question defends the President. But since the fund 
manager has sole discretion over who will benefit from the fund, it is 
almost impossible to know whether access to Patriot Fund dollars will 
be used to reward those who might be loyal to the President. That 
creates an extraordinary conflict of interest for any President, not 
just this one.
  It is time to put a stop to this in perpetuity. That is why I have 
offered this amendment to direct the Office of Government Ethics to 
promulgate regulations on basic requirements to ensure transparency of 
donations to legal defense funds in the executive branch and to ensure 
that Federal employees cannot obtain money from prohibited sources. 
These regulations will be similar to rules that are already established 
for Members of Congress, and I think that that is just common sense.
  My amendment closes loopholes and eliminates conflicts of interest in 
these legal defense funds in several ways.
  First, it limits the gifts and donations that can be made to legal 
defense funds to no more than $5,000 per person per year.
  Second, it prohibits registered lobbyists, foreign governments, and 
individuals involved in activities that are regulated by the agency 
that is employing the individual who will receive the legal defense 
fund dollars from contributing to their legal defense fund.
  Third, it clarifies that employees may not accept gifts and donations 
outside of legal defense funds to pay for

[[Page H2494]]

legal fees and expenses from civil or criminal proceedings.
  And, fourth, it makes legal defense funds public by requiring that 
the source of contributions and the amount of those contributions be 
publicly disclosed.
  Mr. Chair, this is a sensible amendment, and I reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Chair, I oppose the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Ohio is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Chair, the Office of Government Ethics already 
consults with legal defense funds when prompted. OGE already published 
two legal advisories around legal defense funds that define gifts 
according to current U.S. Code and the ``Standard of Ethical Conduct 
for Employees of the Executive Branch.'' Any legal defense fund 
reviewed by OGE bars the trustee from accepting donations from already 
prohibited sources.
  Mr. Chair, I urge that Members oppose this bad amendment to an 
already terrible underlying piece of legislation, and, respectfully, I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Chair, in conclusion, I would say this bill, H.R. 1, 
is about reclaiming our democracy, ensuring transparency and 
accountability for the American people. For evidence of obstruction of 
justice, public corruption, and abuses of power for any President and 
the people surrounding him, we believe that this bill is essential, and 
this amendment is essential.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Jayapal).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                Amendment No. 16 Offered by Mr. Connolly

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 16 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 265, insert after line 9 the following (and conform 
     the succeeding subsection accordingly):
       ``(d) Surplus Appropriations.--If the amount of funds 
     appropriated for grants authorized under section 298D(a)(2) 
     exceed the amount necessary to meet the requirements of 
     subsection (b), the Commission shall consider the following 
     in making a determination to award remaining funds to a 
     State:
       ``(1) The record of the State in carrying out the following 
     with respect to the administration of elections for Federal 
     office:
       ``(A) Providing voting machines that are less than 10 years 
     old.
       ``(B) Implementing strong chain of custody procedures for 
     the physical security of voting equipment and paper records 
     at all stages of the process.
       ``(C) Conducting pre-election testing on every voting 
     machine and ensuring that paper ballots are available 
     wherever electronic machines are used.
       ``(D) Maintaining offline backups of voter registration 
     lists.
       ``(E) Providing a secure voter registration database that 
     logs requests submitted to the database.
       ``(F) Publishing and enforcing a policy detailing use 
     limitations and security safeguards to protect the personal 
     information of voters in the voter registration process.
       ``(G) Providing secure processes and procedures for 
     reporting vote tallies.
       ``(H) Providing a secure platform for disseminating vote 
     totals.
       ``(2) Evidence of established conditions of innovation and 
     reform in providing voting system security and the proposed 
     plan of the State for implementing additional conditions.
       ``(3) Evidence of collaboration between relevant 
     stakeholders, including local election officials, in 
     developing the grant implementation plan described in section 
     298B.
       ``(4) The plan of the State to conduct a rigorous 
     evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities carried out 
     with the grant.''.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentleman 
from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chair, H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019, of 
which I am a proud cosponsor, delivers on the promise to reform 
American democracy by protecting voting rights and our elections, 
improving the transparency of campaign finance, and promoting ethics 
and accountability.
  Key to safeguarding voting rights is ensuring that our voting system 
is secure and free from interference by foreign actors.
  My amendment to H.R. 1 would help States implement voting system 
security improvements in order to enhance the integrity of our Federal 
election infrastructure.
  Adapted from the FAST Voting Act, H.R. 1512, which I recently 
reintroduced with my colleague, Representative  Jim Langevin of Rhode 
Island, this amendment to H.R. 1 would award supplementary grants to 
State applicants based on evidence of previous election security 
reforms and plans for implementing additional innovations.
  This race-to-the-top model would incentivize States to adopt best 
practices, including providing voting machines that are less than 10 
years old, maintaining offline backups of voter registration lists, and 
providing a secure platform for disseminating vote totals.
  According to the Brennan Center for Justice, in the 2016 Federal 
elections, voters relied on outdated voting equipment that was more 
than a decade old in 43 of the 50 States, Mr. Chairman.
  My amendment would also instruct the Election Assistance Commission, 
when evaluating State grant applications, to consider evidence of 
collaboration between relevant stakeholders, including local election 
officials, in developing the grant implementation plan and the State's 
plan to evaluate the effectiveness of its grant activities.
  We now know that Russia directly targeted State voter databases and 
software systems in 39 States during the 2016 Federal elections. That 
effort by Russia and additional foreign entities to conduct robust 
influence operations persisted, sadly, in the 2018 midterm elections, 
and the U.S. intelligence community expects such attacks to continue 
through the 2020 Federal elections.
  Numerous witnesses before the Homeland Security Committee testified 
on the ongoing need for investment to protect us from such attacks. The 
need to strengthen the integrity of our voting system is crystal clear, 
Mr. Chairman. We have a moral obligation as Members of Congress to 
protect the sacred nature of the results of every election, and it is 
urgent.
  Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this simple but, I think, 
helpful amendment to move us toward voter security in the next election 
and enhance cybersecurity for all of our Federal election 
infrastructure.
  Mr. Chairman, I am delighted to see there is no opposition here on 
the floor, and I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1900

  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly).
  The amendment was agreed to.


         Amendment No. 17 Offered by Ms. Foxx of North Carolina

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 17 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the 
desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 617, insert after line 2 the following (and 
     redesignate the succeeding subtitle accordingly):

  Subtitle E--Reports on Outside Compensation Earned by Congressional 
                               Employees

     SEC. 9401. REPORTS ON OUTSIDE COMPENSATION EARNED BY 
                   CONGRESSIONAL EMPLOYEES.

       (a) Reports.--The supervisor of an individual who performs 
     services for any Member, committee, or other office of the 
     Senate or House of Representatives for a period in excess of 
     four weeks and who receives compensation therefor from any 
     source other than the Federal Government shall submit a 
     report identifying the identity of the source, amount, and 
     rate of such compensation to--
       (1) the Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate, in the 
     case of an individual who performs services for a Member, 
     committee, or other office of the Senate; or
       (2) the Committee on Ethics of the House of 
     Representatives, in the case of an individual who performs 
     services for a Member (including a Delegate or Resident 
     Commissioner to the Congress), committee, or other office of 
     the House.
       (b) Timing.--The supervisor shall submit the report 
     required under subsection (a) with respect to an individual--
       (1) when such individual first begins performing services 
     described in such subparagraph;
       (2) at the close of each calendar quarter during which such 
     individual is performing such services; and

[[Page H2495]]

       (3) when such individual ceases to perform such services.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentlewoman 
from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from North Carolina.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak on behalf 
of my amendment, co-authored by Representative Harley Rouda of 
California, which seeks to bring badly-needed transparency to sources 
of compensation for certain individuals staffing the legislative 
branch.
  I would like to start by thanking my colleague from California (Mr. 
Rouda) for working together in this bipartisan fashion. I am always 
willing to work across the aisle to find common ground, and I am glad 
to have found a partner in him on this issue.
  I would be remiss, however, if I did not mention the missed 
opportunity for doing so on the underlying bill. This underlying 
legislation ran afoul of the legislative process, having gone through 
only one markup, despite 10 committee referrals.
  Democratic leaders also rejected many Republican amendments that I 
support, amendments that would have terminated Congressional pensions, 
prohibiting pay for Congressmen when the government shuts down, and 
other commonsense reforms.
  If we are serious about strengthening our democracy, we need to start 
with reforming our own Congress. Luckily, Representative Rouda and I 
are doing just that through our amendment. Our amendment codifies a 
Senate rule that requires legislative branch offices to disclose the 
source of funding for Congressional fellows.
  While the general public understands the need for strict regulations 
on campaign contributions, gifts, and other methods of influence, many 
Americans would be shocked to learn that the influence of personnel is 
escaping public notice.
  The Congressional Fellows program is a great contribution to this 
institution on the whole, as it offers direct exposure and experience 
in the legislative process to people outside of the Beltway. That 
exposure is great for our democracy and great for the American public.
  However, it goes without saying that fellows being paid by industry 
groups, advocacy groups, or for-profit industries shouldn't be creating 
any undue advantage by way of their access to this body.
  In fact, there is an old saying around Congress that personnel equals 
policy. If that is so evident to Members of Congress, then surely we 
can understand the potential conflicts of interest that could arise 
from this influence.
  It has been reported some Congressional Fellows are working on 
legislation pertaining to the very interest group they are being paid 
by to support their work in Congress. The public would rightfully be 
outraged to learn that even some of the largest social media firms in 
this country are retaining fellows on Capitol Hill, and yet, the 
average citizen outside the Beltway has no way of knowing about it. 
This situation gives a whole new meaning to the term ``social media 
influencer.''
  While House ethics rules currently bar fellowship programs from 
giving an ``undue advantage to special interests,'' the House of 
Representatives lacks a reporting requirement to expose conflicts of 
interest.
  Our amendment would fill this gap by mandating that legislative 
offices disclose the rate and source of compensation for Congressional 
Fellows to their Chamber's respective Ethics Committee.
  The taxpayers have a right to know about the funding, Mr. Chairman.
  Mr. Chairman, at this time, let me yield to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Rouda), my cosponsor for the amendment.
  Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of this bipartisan 
amendment, which would codify disclosure requirements for paid 
Congressional fellowships sponsored by nongovernment sources.
  It has been a privilege to work with Congresswoman Foxx and her 
office on this amendment to enhance transparency in Congress, and I 
thank her for her attention to this matter.
  I look forward to continuing to work with Congresswoman Foxx and my 
other colleagues across the aisle to advance bipartisan initiatives.
  I am eager to work with Democrats and Republicans to find common 
ground and deliver practical, commonsense solutions for the American 
people.
  By passing this bipartisan amendment, we can show our constituents 
that we are serious about improving transparency and accountability in 
the people's House.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, could I inquire as to how 
much time is remaining?
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from North Carolina has 45 seconds 
remaining.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, if personnel equals policy, 
then the general public should have access to knowledge about the 
influencers in our legislative body.
  Again, I am glad to have been a partner with Congressman Rouda in 
this bipartisan initiative. I ask my colleagues to support our 
amendment to uphold transparency, accountability, and the integrity of 
our legislative process. And I urge all Members to vote for the 
amendment. It is a very commonsense amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).
  The amendment was agreed to.


               Amendment No. 18 Offered by Mrs. Lawrence

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 18 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 555, line 16, insert ``cabinet member,'' after ``vice 
     president,''.
       Page 555, line 19, strike ``the President or Vice 
     President,'' and insert ``the President, Vice President, or 
     any Cabinet member''.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentlewoman 
from Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan.
  Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Chairman, this week, Congress has an opportunity to restore the 
American people's faith in our political system. H.R. 1 is a 
comprehensive set of democratic and anti-corruption reforms that work 
for the people, as opposed to those privileged enough to game the 
system.
  My amendment is simple. It adds Cabinet members to the list of 
individuals who cannot benefit from an agreement with the United States 
government.
  By ensuring the President, Vice President, and Cabinet members are 
not able to benefit from agreements with the government, individuals in 
a position to use their authority for their own personal gain will be 
prohibited from doing so.
  The American people expect their government to act in their best 
interest, not in the best interest of their bank accounts.
  When a department issues a ruling, the American people should not 
have to consider whether a Cabinet member will benefit from that 
action.
  The President, the Vice President, and Cabinet members all have 
tremendous power and decisionmaking authority within our government. 
That power comes with great scrutiny and the need for oversight. This 
commonsense amendment will eliminate that confusion.
  Aside from providing essential oversight for our government, H.R. 1 
addresses serious issues that have plagued our country for decades. For 
years, Americans' access to the ballot box has been under attack, and 
millions of voters have been removed from voter rolls across the 
country.
  Democrats are committed to ensuring that voting is free, fair, and 
easy for all citizens, and that every vote by an eligible voter is 
counted as cast.
  H.R. 1, the For the People Act, codifies that oversight, and seeks to 
shed a

[[Page H2496]]

light on any corrupt actions being taken by our elected officials and 
Cabinet members.
  Mr. Chairman, Cabinet members should be held to the same standard as 
the President, Vice President, and Members of Congress, and should not 
be able to benefit from agreements, policy, and their actions while 
serving the U.S. Government. I urge my colleagues to support this 
commonsense amendment that will help provide important oversight of our 
government.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence).
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 19 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.


                 Amendment No. 20 Offered by Mr. Rouda

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 20 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 127, insert after line 17 the following new section 
     (and conform the succeeding section accordingly):

     SEC. 1505. PAPER BALLOT PRINTING REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 301(a) of the Help America Vote 
     Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081(a)), as amended by section 1504, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(8) Printing requirements for ballots.--All paper ballots 
     used in an election for Federal office shall be printed on 
     recycled paper.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to elections occurring on or after 
     January 1, 2021.
       Page 128, line 4, strike ``subparagraphs (B) and (C)'' and 
     insert ``section 1505(b) of the For the People Act of 2019 
     and subparagraphs (B) and (C)''.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Rouda) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, the people of Orange County sent me to Congress 
because they were disillusioned with the nature of our politics, 
whether it is the toxic partnership or the vice grip of special 
interest money on our political system.
  I offer these amendments today to improve this landmark bill by 
regulating political ads and restore voters' confidence in our 
elections.
  Our government has, for too long, preferred to shield special 
interests instead of our constituents; and that ends by getting out of 
politics and passing the For the People Act.
  In an age of advanced cybersecurity threats, more States are looking 
to one of the oldest technologies in existence, paper. Currently, the 
majority of States utilize some form of paper ballot for elections, 
with more taking steps to adopt paper-only systems.
  My amendment would require the use of recycled paper for Federal 
elections, a critical step to increasing the sustainability of our 
elections. Recycled paper production emits 40 percent fewer greenhouse 
gases, uses 26 percent less energy, and creates 43 percent less water 
waste than non-recycled paper.
  The impact of requiring the use of recycled paper for ballots is 
significant when you consider the amount of paper used in the United 
States. In fact, Americans use approximately 85 million tons of paper a 
year, about 680 pounds per person per year.
  Recycling just 1 ton of paper can save 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of 
water, 380 gallons of oil, 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space, and 4,000 
kilowatts of energy, reducing greenhouse gases by 1 metric ton of 
carbon.
  As security concerns continue to inspire moves to replace electronic 
voting methods with paper ballots, we must be mindful of the 
environmental impact.

                              {time}  1915

  Using recycled paper for our ballots would improve not just our right 
to vote, but also save the environment.
  Mr. Chair, I urge adoption of my amendment, and I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in 
opposition to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I respect the gentleman's 
amendment. As important as recycled paper may be, this, I believe, 
would present an undue burden on our States and our local officials who 
administer these elections.
  This requirement of using recycled paper is narrowly tailored for 
Federal office elections, yet Federal, State, and local elections often 
occur at the same time. This makes it incredibly impractical and 
difficult for State election officials to comply with this amendment. 
States, theoretically, may have to have two different paper ballots: 
one for Federal elections and the other for State and local matters.
  Also, recycled paper is less available and more expensive, giving 
local election officials fewer options. This requirement could have an 
undue burden on States as they aim to comply with this amendment, and 
it is impractical, as voters often vote on Federal, State, and local 
elections on the same ballot.
  This is ultimately a federalism issue. I have a problem with the 
entire bill being a federalism issue. We should defer to the States and 
their budgets on how to best administer elections tailored to their 
unique considerations.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for his comments, but 
with all due respect, I don't believe the facts support those 
statements.
  It is quite clear that many States are already using recycled paper 
in their ballots, and recycled paper often can be cheaper than the 
paper chosen by certain States. This is a small request that goes a 
long way in supporting environmental health across our great country 
and continuing to fight climate change.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentleman's 
willingness to show awareness and concern over climate change and our 
environment. Maybe this amendment is better suited for when the New 
Green Deal is called up on the floor for all of us to cast a vote upon, 
but this is an undue, unfunded mandate from the Federal Government 
right down to the State and local officials.
  This is something that can cost local election officials even more 
money to run elections and then also run the risk of them not having 
enough money to budget to print enough ballots that will be available 
on election day for the increased voter turnout that we have seen over 
the last few election cycles. At that point in time, it becomes a very 
big burden on local taxpayers.
  This bill is going to be a burden on local taxpayers. This bill is 
estimated to already cost almost $3 billion. It creates another 
mandatory spending program.
  I appreciate my new colleague's willingness to come here and offer 
amendments. I just believe that this amendment is, again, adding to the 
unfair, unfunded burden that H.R. 1 gives to many State and local 
election officials.
  State and local election officials know best how to stack their 
ballot boxes to ensure they have enough ballots for everybody to vote, 
and this will now be an added cost.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, while I appreciate the comments and concerns 
about the potential increase in cost to local and State institutions in 
administering the vote, I would point out that my Republican brethren 
were quick to pass a tax bill that added $2 trillion to our deficit, 
while simultaneously not addressing requests by local municipalities 
and States for additional funding to make sure that we had proper 
voting taking place for all voters across the U.S.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Rouda).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 21 Offered by Mr. Rouda

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 21 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

[[Page H2497]]

  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 127, insert after line 17 the following (and conform 
     the succeeding section accordingly):

     SEC. 1505. STUDY AND REPORT ON OPTIMAL BALLOT DESIGN.

       (a) Study.--The Election Assistance Commission shall 
     conduct a study of the best ways to design ballots used in 
     elections for public office, including paper ballots and 
     electronic or digital ballots, to minimize confusion and user 
     errors.
       (b) Report.--Not later than January 1, 2020, the Election 
     Assistance Commission shall submit to Congress a report on 
     the study conducted under subsection (a).
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Rouda) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, every election, hundreds of thousands of votes 
are not counted simply because of bad ballot design. These citizens 
fulfill their patriotic duty, but their voices are silenced by 
confusing voter instructions and poor ballot design. This cannot 
continue.
  Although most Americans associate bad ballot design with the 2000 
Presidential race and hanging chads, unnecessarily complex and 
misleading ballots still plague our elections today.
  Confusing ballot design has a significant and well-documented effect 
on our elections, disproportionately affecting low-income and elderly 
voters.
  You shouldn't need a magnifying glass to read a candidate's name and 
you shouldn't need a Ph.D. to understand voter instructions. My 
amendment simply directs the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to 
study the best ways to design both paper and digital ballots. By 
reviewing uncounted vote data and conducting usability tests, the U.S. 
Election Assistance Commission can provide States with better ballot 
design guidelines.
  This study, which would be due in January 2020, is a commonsense way 
to ensure that more Americans' votes are counted next election and in 
every election to come.
  Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the 
amendment.
  The Acting Chair. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I thank the sponsor of 
the amendment.
  Mr. Chair, again, this is another added cost to the taxpayers that I 
believe, and my colleagues, I believe, should agree is already being 
taken care of. The EAC is already tasked to take on this role.
  The Election Assistance Commission is an independent, bipartisan 
commission charged with developing guidance to meet the Help America 
Vote Act of 2002 requirements.
  The EAC has already done extensive work on best practices for ballot 
design that are available to State and local officials already. In 
fact, the EAC published their insights on the importance of good ballot 
design just last month and are already in the process of updating its 
guidance based upon the feedback it has received. I would assume that 
would have been studied already.
  Additionally, every 2 years following an election, the EAC sends its 
election administration voting survey to election officials in all 50 
States, the District of Columbia, and our four territories. The survey 
includes national-, State-, and county-level data on voter 
registration; uniformed and overseas voters; early, absentee, 
provisional voting; voting equipment usage; and poll workers, polling 
places, and precincts.
  All that to say, again, this is a waste of taxpayer dollars to be 
redundant and have the EAC perform another study that is going to cost 
the taxpayers of this country.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for his comments.
  It sounds like we are in agreement, because he supports studies that 
have made these ballots improved over time. As we just saw from the 
most recent election cycle, it is clear that we still have work to do. 
So we have agreement that we want better ballots at all locations, and 
I am glad Mr. Davis is joining me in support of that.
  I also would recognize that this does not require States to follow 
the suggested potential improved ballot, but makes it clear that there 
are better ways to do it.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentleman's 
intention, and I appreciate his willingness as a new Member of this 
institution to come down here and participate in the amendment process. 
We need folks who come to this institution and they want to legislate, 
they want to be on the floor, they want to offer amendments.
  My biggest problem with this amendment is we don't know how much this 
study is going to cost taxpayers. These are the types of studies that I 
believe the information that my colleague wants to get is already going 
to be in place. Why do we need to spend any more tax dollars on another 
study that is going to provide the same answers that my colleague has 
already asked them to now do a new study on? The EAC is doing their 
job.
  Now, let's get back to the overall issue of H.R. 1.
  H.R. 1 was a bill introduced on January 3 with zero Republican input, 
zero outreach to anybody on my side of the aisle, let alone the three 
Republicans that we have serving on the House Administration Committee, 
the only committee that marked this bill up.
  At that announcement of this 571-page bill that is cosponsored by 
every member of the Democratic conference, it was shown that, heck, the 
author thanked all the outside special interest groups who helped write 
it.
  We were given no input whatsoever on this legislation that is going 
to cost the taxpayers billions of dollars.
  I am sorry, Mr. Chairman. I am going to do everything I can to make 
sure we lessen the amount of undue influence and unfunded mandates 
coming through this amendment process, and this is my one chance to do 
that.
  Now, I am glad that my colleague mentioned the H.R. 1 of the last 
Congress. I learned my lesson not to yield back, as he just did, 
because now I get the last word.
  This is an opportunity to remind my colleague, my new colleague, that 
it has even been reported 80 percent of what the Congressional Budget 
Office estimated that our tax cut bill that put thousands of dollars in 
the pockets of middle-class families, it has already paid for itself by 
80 percent. In less than a year, we changed this. This is why H.R. 1 of 
the last Congress actually helped families put more money in their 
pockets.

  H.R. 1 this year is going to actually cost taxpayers billions and put 
more money in the pockets of Members of Congress' campaigns.
  This is a travesty that is no comparison, and that is exactly why 
this bill is terrible. And no offense to my colleague; I just oppose 
his amendment because I think it is redundant.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Rouda).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 22 Offered by Mr. Rouda

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 22 
printed in part B of House Report 116-16.
  Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 72, insert after line 2 the following:

     SEC. 1052. USE OF POSTAL SERVICE HARD COPY CHANGE OF ADDRESS 
                   FORM TO REMIND INDIVIDUALS TO UPDATE VOTER 
                   REGISTRATION.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Postmaster General shall 
     modify any hard copy change of address form used by the 
     United States Postal Service so that such form contains a 
     reminder that any individual using such form should update 
     the individual's voter registration as a result of any change 
     in address.
       (b) Application.--The requirement in subsection (a) shall 
     not apply to any electronic version of a change of address 
     form used by the United States Postal Service.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 172, the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Rouda) and a

[[Page H2498]]

Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, each year, too many Americans lose their voter 
registration status when they move without updating their voter 
registration address.
  My amendment is a commonsense measure which directs the Postmaster 
General to include a notice on the Postal Service's hard copy change of 
address form simply reminding voters to update their voter registration 
following a change of address.
  The online change of address form on the Postal Service's website 
already includes a reminder to reregister with your new address. This 
amendment would simply ensure that voters who use the hard copy change 
of address form also get a reminder to update their voter registration.
  No one should be denied the right to vote simply because they forgot 
to update their voter registration address following a move.
  Mr. Chair, I urge adoption of this amendment, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in 
opposition to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the 
opportunity.
  I am not necessarily opposed to this amendment, and if the gentleman 
is willing, I am ready to move towards closing. I am ready to close on 
this debate, so I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chair, if my colleague is ready to yield back and 
proceed to a vote, then I am certainly willing to do so as well.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1930

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Rouda).
  The amendment was agreed to.
  Ms. LOFGREN. I move that the Committee do now rise.
  The motion was agreed to.
  Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Ms. 
Mucarsel-Powell) having assumed the chair, Mr. Cartwright, Acting Chair 
of the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported 
that that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1) 
to expand Americans' access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of 
big money in politics, and strengthen ethics rules for public servants, 
and for other purposes, had come to no resolution thereon.

                          ____________________