PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 248 - 170 (Roll no. 493).
Congressional Research Service
Version 79 · Reported to House without amendment · May 15, 2008
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Directs the Election Assistance Commission to make a grant to each participating state and unit of local government for carrying out a program to make backup paper ballots available in the case of the failure of a voting system or voting equipment or some other emergency situation in the administration of the regularly scheduled federal general election held in November 2008.
People & committees
Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-16] · D–CA
Legislative record
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On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 248 - 170 (Roll no. 493).
House roll call 493 · Individual votesFailed of passage/not agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 248 - 170 (Roll no. 493).
House roll call 493 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6545)
At 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.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5803.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6536-6541; text of measure as reported in House: CR H6536)
Ms. Lofgren, Zoe moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 398.
Reported by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 110-637.
Reported by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 110-637.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 5 - 3.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.5803 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.5803 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.5803 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.5803 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.