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Federal Election Failsafe Act

USA116th CongressHR-6673| House 
| Updated: 6/1/2020
Sheila Jackson Lee

Sheila Jackson Lee

Democratic Representative

Texas

Committee on House Administration, Homeland Security Committee, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Federal Election Failsafe Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish guidelines that states must meet for the continuing administration of federal elections in the event of a terrorist attack, an election cybersecurity incident, or a public health emergency. Specifically, DHS must establish guidelines for the administration of federal elections by states in the event that a state's ability to carry out federal elections is adversely affected by a terrorist attack, an election cybersecurity incident, or a public health emergency. Such guidelines must include, among other elements, guidelines for ensuring that voting systems are resilient to attack so that systems accurately capture and report each vote cast by voters. States must establish and implement plans to provide for the continuing administration of federal elections which meet the guidelines established by DHS, including plans to continue elections through remote voting. Additionally, state and local election officials must carry out exercises to respond to simulated attacks. The Election Assistance Commission must provide grants to state and local election officials to assist with meeting the bill's requirements. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to study the risks and benefits associated with relying on electronic voting technology in federal elections.
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Timeline
May 1, 2020
Introduced in House
May 1, 2020
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jun 1, 2020
Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation.
  • May 1, 2020
    Introduced in House


  • May 1, 2020
    Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • June 1, 2020
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation.

Government Operations and Politics

Computers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightElections, voting, political campaign regulationEmergency medical services and trauma careEmergency planning and evacuationGovernment studies and investigationsState and local government operationsTerrorism

Federal Election Failsafe Act

USA116th CongressHR-6673| House 
| Updated: 6/1/2020
Federal Election Failsafe Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish guidelines that states must meet for the continuing administration of federal elections in the event of a terrorist attack, an election cybersecurity incident, or a public health emergency. Specifically, DHS must establish guidelines for the administration of federal elections by states in the event that a state's ability to carry out federal elections is adversely affected by a terrorist attack, an election cybersecurity incident, or a public health emergency. Such guidelines must include, among other elements, guidelines for ensuring that voting systems are resilient to attack so that systems accurately capture and report each vote cast by voters. States must establish and implement plans to provide for the continuing administration of federal elections which meet the guidelines established by DHS, including plans to continue elections through remote voting. Additionally, state and local election officials must carry out exercises to respond to simulated attacks. The Election Assistance Commission must provide grants to state and local election officials to assist with meeting the bill's requirements. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to study the risks and benefits associated with relying on electronic voting technology in federal elections.
View Full Text

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Timeline
May 1, 2020
Introduced in House
May 1, 2020
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jun 1, 2020
Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation.
  • May 1, 2020
    Introduced in House


  • May 1, 2020
    Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • June 1, 2020
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation.
Sheila Jackson Lee

Sheila Jackson Lee

Democratic Representative

Texas

Committee on House Administration, Homeland Security Committee, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee

Government Operations and Politics

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Computers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightElections, voting, political campaign regulationEmergency medical services and trauma careEmergency planning and evacuationGovernment studies and investigationsState and local government operationsTerrorism