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H.R. 4971 108th Congress House

Restoring Democracy to the U.S. Congress Act of 2004

Official title: To amend the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit behavior that threatens that institution, and for other purposes.

Introduced: July 22, 2004 See on congress.gov
Congress BriberyCensusComputer crimesComputer hackers
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 7, 2004
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2180)
Aug 4, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Jul 22, 2004
Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
Jul 22, 2004
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1481)
Jul 22, 2004
Introduced in House
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 Latest action December 7, 2004

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2180)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Restoring Democracy to the U.S. Congress Act of 2004 - Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to address: (1) the time limit on roll call votes; (2) actual voting required in conference committee meetings; (3) waiver of the germaneness requirement for conference reports; (4) removal of Members from committee meetings; (5) a limit on redistricting after an apportionment of Representatives; (6) availability of legislation on the Internet; (7) bribery on the House floor; (8) hacking into other Members' computer files; (9) capping committee mailing expenses; and (10) a requirement that at least one-third of committee budget be provided to the minority ranking member.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 5101 Democracy in Congress Act of 2004
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 5
All 5 Democratic 3 Independent 1
D
Davis, Danny K.
Illinois · Jul 22, 2004
MCCARTHY, KAREN
· Jul 22, 2004
 D
Meeks, Gregory W.
New York · Jul 22, 2004
 I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · Jul 22, 2004
 D
Sherman, Brad
California · Jul 22, 2004
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4971: Restoring Democracy to the U.S. Congress Act of 2004. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4971/
MLA
"H.R. 4971: Restoring Democracy to the U.S. Congress Act of 2004." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4971/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4971, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4971/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4971: Restoring Democracy to the U.S. Congress Act of 2004](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4971/)
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