Senate Committee on Rules and Administration

A bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require ballots in elections for Federal office to be received by the close of the polls on the date of election.

This bill would change voting rules so that mail-in ballots must arrive at election offices by the time polls close on Election Day to be counted in federal elections, rather than allowing ballots that arrive after Election Day to be counted. The change would affect voters who use mail-in ballots, election officials who process them, and potentially the outcomes of close races where late-arriving ballots currently matter. States would need to update their ballot-counting procedures to comply with this earlier deadline.

Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act

Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act This bill prohibits contributions or donations by foreign nationals in connection with state or local ballot initiatives, referenda, or recall elections.

FEC Administrative Improvements Act

FEC Administrative Improvements Act This bill expands electronic filing requirements and allows political committees to make disbursements by methods other than check. First, current law requires the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to make electronic filing mandatory for political committees and others required to file with the FEC who, in a calendar year, have, or have reason to expect to have, total contributions or expenditures exceeding a threshold amount set by the FEC (which is currently $50,000). Many independent expenditure reports are also subject to mandatory electronic filing. However, the current mandatory electronic filing provision does not apply to certain reports. This bill expands the types of reports that are required to be filed electronically to include electioneering communications (subject to the threshold amount). Second, current law requires political committees to maintain at least one campaign depository account and make all disbursements (other than petty cash disbursements) by check drawn on such accounts. This bill removes the requirement that disbursements must be made by check drawn on campaign depository accounts. Therefore, the bill allows political committees to make disbursements in other forms (e.g., credit or debit cards).

Right to Vote Act

The legislation would establish federal voting standards and protections for elections involving federal offices like President, Senator, and Representative. It would likely address voter registration, voting access, and election administration to ensure consistent voting rights across all states. The bill affects all eligible voters and election officials nationwide.

A concurrent resolution providing for a joint session of the Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, July 2, 2026, in honor of the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence.

Congress would hold a special joint session meeting in Philadelphia on July 2, 2026, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This ceremonial gathering would bring together members of the House and Senate to commemorate this milestone in American history at the location where the Declaration was originally signed. The event would be primarily symbolic and celebratory rather than legislative in nature.

A resolution prohibiting the buying or selling of certain investments by Senators.

The proposal would ban U.S. Senators from buying or selling certain types of investments, likely to prevent conflicts of interest where lawmakers might make decisions that benefit their personal stock portfolios. This would affect only sitting Senators and aims to ensure they focus on what's best for the public rather than their own financial gains. The measure is currently under review by the Senate's Rules and Administration Committee.

State and Local Election Security Act of 2026

The federal government would provide money to states and local election offices over the next three years to improve voting security systems, such as upgrading equipment and training poll workers. These grants would help election officials protect against fraud and ensure voting machines work properly during elections. States and counties would apply for the funding to strengthen their election infrastructure.

Fraudulent Artificial Intelligence Regulations (FAIR) Elections Act of 2026

This bill would make it illegal to spread fake videos or images created by artificial intelligence that are designed to mislead voters about elections, and it would prevent election officials from removing people from voting rolls based on unverified databases that claim someone is ineligible to vote. The legislation aims to protect both the integrity of elections and voters' right to participate by cracking down on AI-generated disinformation and stopping potentially inaccurate voter purges.

Election Security Partnership Act

States that share voter registration data with the Department of Homeland Security would receive federal funding to improve their election security systems, such as upgrading voting machines or cybersecurity measures. The bill aims to incentivize states to cooperate with federal election security efforts by offering financial support for these improvements. Election officials and voters in participating states would benefit from the enhanced security measures funded through this program.

Abolish Super PACs Act

The proposal would cap how much money individuals and groups can donate to super PACs, which are organizations that spend unlimited funds on political advertisements and campaigns independent of candidates. Currently, super PACs can accept unlimited donations, but this bill would set reasonable contribution limits to reduce the influence of large donors in elections. The change would affect wealthy individuals, corporations, and other groups that fund these political organizations.

A resolution withholding the pay of Senators if a Government shutdown occurs.

If the federal government shuts down because Congress can't agree on a budget, this resolution would stop paying senators until the shutdown ends. The goal is to pressure lawmakers to reach a deal quickly by making them feel the financial pain that federal workers and the public experience during a shutdown. This would apply only to senators, not House members or other government employees.

Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act

This legislation would establish new protections and standards for voters who cast ballots by mail or absentee voting, likely including measures to ensure ballots are counted accurately and securely. The bill would affect millions of Americans who vote remotely rather than in person, as well as election officials responsible for processing mail-in ballots. The proposal is currently under review by the Senate Rules Committee.

A resolution prohibiting the use of funds for travel by Senators to or from their residence during Government shutdowns.

During government shutdowns, this resolution would prevent senators from using taxpayer money to pay for travel between Washington and their home states. The measure aims to hold elected officials accountable by requiring them to cover their own travel costs when the government is not operating normally, rather than continuing to receive government-funded transportation while other federal employees and services are affected by the shutdown.

A resolution prohibiting the use of funds for official travel by Senators during Government shutdowns.

This resolution would prevent senators from using taxpayer money to travel on official business whenever the federal government shuts down due to budget disagreements. The rule would apply to all senators regardless of party and would remain in effect until the government reopens and normal funding resumes. The goal is to ensure that lawmakers face the same travel restrictions as other federal employees during shutdowns.

Voter Empowerment Act of 2026

Voter Empowerment Act of 2026 This bill expands voter registration and voting access. Specifically, the bill expands voter registration by requiring states to (1) make available online voter registration, (2) establish automatic voter registration systems, (3) permit same-day voter registration, and (4) accept voter registration applications from individuals under age 18. Further, the bill limits removing voters from voter rolls and prohibits interference with voter registration or voting. Next, the bill requires states to allow individuals with disabilities to use absentee registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in federal elections. The bill also prohibits voter caging (the practice of sending mail to addresses on voter rolls, compiling a list of the undeliverable mail, and using the list to remove registered voters from voter rolls). Next, the bill expands voting access by requiring states to allow early voting and voting by mail without additional conditions. It also requires states to provide secured drop boxes at which individuals may drop off their completed absentee ballots. In addition, the bill declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any federal election shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence. Finally, the bill permanently reauthorizes the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). It also directs the EAC to make grants to states for specified activities, including to implement automatic voter registration systems.

A bill to require voters to provide photo identification as a condition of casting a ballot, and for other purposes.

This bill establishes certain photo identification requirements for voting in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits a state or local election official from providing a ballot for a federal election to an individual who does not present valid physical photo identification. Next, the bill outlines the availability of provisional ballots and the requirements for counting those ballots. In particular, an individual who does not present a valid photo identification must be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. However, an election official may not determine that the individual is eligible under state law to vote in the election unless, not later than three days after casting the provisional ballot, the individual presents (1) the identification required, or (2) an affidavit attesting that the individual does not possess the identification because of a religious objection to being photographed. An election official may not allow for voting methods other than in-person voting unless the individual submits the ballot with (1) a copy of their photo identification, or (2) the last four digits of their Social Security number with an affidavit attesting that the individual is unable to obtain a copy of a valid photo identification after making reasonable efforts to obtain a copy. This prohibition shall not apply to overseas military voters and certain disabled or elderly voters.

DISCLOSE Act of 2026

Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2026 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2026 This bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosures of campaign expenditures, and requiring additional disclosures regarding certain political advertisements. Specifically, the bill expands existing foreign money prohibitions to include disbursements for paid web-based or digital communications and federal judicial nomination communications. It also prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda. The Government Accountability Office must, for each four-year election cycle, study and report on the incidence of illicit foreign money in federal elections. Next, the bill makes it unlawful to establish or use a corporation, company, or other entity with the intent to conceal an election contribution or donation by a foreign national. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. Covered organizations (e.g., corporations, labor organizations, and political organizations) must, within 24 hours, file reports with the Federal Election Commission to disclose campaign expenditures of more than $10,000 during an election cycle. The bill also requires organizations to provide additional disclosures regarding political advertisements, including the donors who contributed the most money to that organization in the last year.

A resolution denouncing statements by President Donald J. Trump that he may "nationalize," commandeer, or otherwise assume direct control over elections.

This resolution expresses Congress's opposition to statements President Trump has made suggesting he might take direct government control over elections. The measure is intended to formally reject the idea that a president could seize or commandeer election operations, which are typically run by states and local officials. The resolution has been sent to the Rules Committee for consideration but has not yet been voted on by the full Congress.

SAVE America Act

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE America Act This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, and requires photo identification to vote, in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship. Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process to demonstrate U.S. citizenship. Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources. Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill (1) provides for a private right of action for certain violations, and (2) establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses. Individuals voting in federal elections must present an eligible photo identification document. An individual who votes by absentee ballot must submit a copy of their identification document with both the request for, and the submission of, the absentee ballot.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) Integrity and Deficit Reduction Act

This bill would tighten unemployment insurance programs by increasing verification requirements and penalties for fraud, with the goal of reducing improper payments and saving money for the federal government. The changes would affect both workers receiving unemployment benefits and the states that administer these programs, potentially making it harder to qualify for or keep benefits while also requiring stronger identity checks and documentation. The bill aims to address concerns about overpayments and fraudulent claims in the unemployment system.