This bill proposes to amend federal law by withholding a portion of surface transportation funding from states that fail to implement specific voter registration requirements. Beginning in fiscal year 2027, states would face a 10 percent reduction in their apportioned funds, with an additional 5 percent withheld each subsequent year, if they do not require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal election voter registration. Acceptable forms of proof include REAL ID-compliant identification indicating citizenship, a valid U.S. passport, military identification with service records, or government-issued photo identification combined with a certified birth certificate, hospital record, adoption decree, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Naturalization Certificate, or an American Indian Card. Beyond requiring initial proof, the bill mandates that states establish an alternative process for applicants unable to meet the primary requirements and take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to identify and remove non-citizens from voter rolls. It also specifies that individuals submitting mail voter registration applications must present documentary proof of citizenship in person to an election official. Furthermore, the legislation requires states to permit a private right of action against election officials who register applicants without proof of citizenship and to establish criminal penalties for such actions.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Trump-Reagan Election Enforcement Act
USA119th CongressHR-9897| House
| Updated: 7/23/2026
This bill proposes to amend federal law by withholding a portion of surface transportation funding from states that fail to implement specific voter registration requirements. Beginning in fiscal year 2027, states would face a 10 percent reduction in their apportioned funds, with an additional 5 percent withheld each subsequent year, if they do not require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal election voter registration. Acceptable forms of proof include REAL ID-compliant identification indicating citizenship, a valid U.S. passport, military identification with service records, or government-issued photo identification combined with a certified birth certificate, hospital record, adoption decree, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Naturalization Certificate, or an American Indian Card. Beyond requiring initial proof, the bill mandates that states establish an alternative process for applicants unable to meet the primary requirements and take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to identify and remove non-citizens from voter rolls. It also specifies that individuals submitting mail voter registration applications must present documentary proof of citizenship in person to an election official. Furthermore, the legislation requires states to permit a private right of action against election officials who register applicants without proof of citizenship and to establish criminal penalties for such actions.