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118th Congress Government Operations and Politics

H.R. 6513: COCOA Act of 2024

Became LawPublic Law 118-106, signed Oct 4, 2024

  1. Introduced (completed)Nov 30, 2023
  2. Passed House (completed)Sep 9, 2024
  3. Passed Senate (completed)Sep 24, 2024
  4. Differences resolved (completed)Sep 25, 2024, 413–1
  5. To the President (completed)Oct 1, 2024
  6. Became law (completed)Oct 4, 2024

Summary

Public Law, Oct 4, 2024

This act provides statutory authority for designated congressional election observers. Designated congressional election observer refers to an employee of the House of Representatives or the Senate who is designated in writing by the chair or ranking minority member of the House Committee on House Administration or the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to gather information with respect to an election, including in the event that the election is contested in the House or the Senate and for other purposes permitted by Article I, Section 5, clause 1 and Article I, Section 4, clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution.

The act requires states to provide designated congressional election observers with full access to clearly observe all elements of administration procedures of federal elections, including access to any area in which a ballot is cast, processed, scanned, tabulated, canvassed, recounted, audited, or certified, including during pre- and post-election procedures.

The act prohibits such an observer from handling ballots or election equipment, advocating for a position or candidate, taking any action to reduce ballot secrecy or voter privacy, taking any action to interfere with the ability of a voter to cast a ballot or an election administrator to carry out the administrator's duties, or otherwise interfering with the election administration process.

Read the full summary

The act specifies the conduct for which designated congressional election observers may be removed by election officials. In the event of removal, the election official must, within 24 hours of the observer's removal, provide written notice to the chair and ranking minority member of the House Committee on House Administration or the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Key votes

House final vote, Sep 25, 2024

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendment

Passed 413–1

Yea 413two-thirds 276Nay 1

  • Democrats205 yea, 0 nay
  • Republicans207 yea, 1 nay
  • Independents1 yea, 0 nay

Broke with their party: Matthew Rosendale (R-MT) voted Nay

See how all 414 members voted

Showing 432 of 432 members

Yea 413

Republicans (207)

Democrats (205)

Independents (1)

Nay 1

Republicans (1) broke with their party

Not voting 18

Senate

Passed by unanimous consent

Sep 24, 2024

No recorded vote, so there is no member-by-member tally.

Roll calls

1 vote on this bill

Showing 1 of 1 roll calls

  • Sep 25, 2024HouseOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate AmendmentFinal passagePassed, yea-nay 413–1
    Roll call 449 tally by party
    PartyYeaNayPresentNot voting
    Democrats205007
    Republicans2071011
    Independents1000
    Total4131018

    House roll call 449: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendment. Passed.

    1 crossed party lines: 1 Republican

    How each member voted (432)

Amendments

1 offered

Showing 1 of 1 amendments

  • S.Amdt. 3297Mitch McConnell R-KYAgreedSep 24, 2024Sep 24, 2024: Amendment SA 3297 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

Cosponsors

2

Bipartisan support.

Who scored on this bill

216 points earned
  1. 1Mike Carey R-OH SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, reported, passed House, discharged, passed Senate, became law7 events+180
  2. 2Mitch McConnell R-KY1 amendment offered, 1 agreed2 events+22
  3. 3Matthew Rosendale R-MT1 maverick vote1 event+6
  4. 4Joseph Morelle D-NYCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
  5. 4Bryan Steil R-WICosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Mike Carey

History

  1. Oct 4, 2024Signed by the President. Became Public Law 118-106.
  2. Oct 1, 2024Presented to the President.
  3. Sep 25, 2024House agreed to the Senate amendment, 413–1.
  4. Sep 24, 2024Passed the Senate with an amendment by unanimous consent.
  5. Sep 9, 2024Passed the House by voice vote.
Show the full action history (28 actions)
  1. Oct 4, 2024Signed by President.
  2. Oct 4, 2024Became Public Law No: 118-106.
  3. Oct 1, 2024Presented to President.
  4. Sep 25, 2024Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  5. Sep 25, 2024Mr. Steil moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H5791-5792)
  6. Sep 25, 2024DEBATE - The House proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 6513.
  7. Sep 25, 2024At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  8. Sep 25, 2024Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 6513 - "An Act to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to confirm the requirement that States allow access to designated congressional election observers to observe the election administration procedures in congressional elections." (consideration: CR H5800)
  9. Sep 25, 2024Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 1 (Roll no. 449). (text: CR H5791)
  10. Sep 25, 2024On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 1 (Roll no. 449). (text: CR H5791)
  11. Sep 25, 2024Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  12. Sep 24, 2024Senate Committee on Rules and Administration discharged by Unanimous Consent.
  13. Sep 24, 2024Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
  14. Sep 24, 2024Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  15. Sep 24, 2024Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  16. Sep 10, 2024Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
  17. Sep 9, 2024Mr. Steil moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  18. Sep 9, 2024Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5049-5051)
  19. Sep 9, 2024DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6513.
  20. Sep 9, 2024Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5049-5050)
  21. Sep 9, 2024On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5049-5050)
  22. Sep 9, 2024Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  23. Jan 29, 2024Reported by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 118-361.
  24. Jan 29, 2024Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 296.
  25. Nov 30, 2023Introduced in House
  26. Nov 30, 2023Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
  27. Nov 30, 2023Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  28. Nov 30, 2023Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.