PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 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.
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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.
People & committees
Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18] · D–TX
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation.
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.
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.
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: Jan 3, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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