H.R. 4563 118th Congress House

ACE Act

Official title: To promote election integrity, voter confidence, and faith in elections by removing Federal impediments to, equipping States with tools for, and establishing voluntary considerations to support effective State administration of Federal elections, improving election administration in the District of Columbia, improving the effectiveness of military voting programs, enhancing election security, and protecting political speech, and for other purposes.

Introduced: July 11, 2023 Introduced by: Bryan Steil Republican · Wisconsin See on congress.gov

Government Operations and Politics Accounting and auditingAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvisory bodiesBooks and print media

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Broadcasting, cable, digital technologiesCensus and government statisticsCitizenship and naturalizationCivil actions and liabilityComputer security and identity theftComputers and information technologyCongressional districts and representationCongressional electionsCongressional leadershipCongressional officers and employeesCongressional operations and organizationCongressional oversightConstitution and constitutional amendmentsContracts and agencyCrimes against propertyDepartment of Homeland SecurityDepartment of the TreasuryDigital mediaDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadDistrict of ColumbiaEducation programs fundingElection Assistance CommissionElections, voting, political campaign regulationEmployee hiringExecutive agency funding and structureFederal Election Commission (FEC)Federal district courtsFederal officialsFirst Amendment rightsGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHigher educationHouse of RepresentativesImmigration status and proceduresInflation and pricesIntergovernmental relationsInternal Revenue Service (IRS)Judicial procedure and administrationLibraries and archivesLicensing and registrationsManufacturingMilitary personnel and dependentsPolitical advertisingPolitical parties and affiliationPostal servicePresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsRight of privacySecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC)SenateSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsState and local government operationsSubversive activitiesTax administration and collection, taxpayersTax-exempt organizationsUser charges and feesVoting rights

Everywhere this bill has been 16 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Jan 3, 2025

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 825.

Jan 3, 2025

Committee on Financial Services discharged.

Jan 3, 2025

Committee on Rules discharged.

Jan 3, 2025

Committee on Ways and Means discharged.

Jan 3, 2025

Committee on Oversight and Accountability discharged.

Jan 3, 2025

Committee on the Judiciary discharged.

Jan 3, 2025

Committee on Intelligence (Permanent) discharged.

Jan 3, 2025

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 118-978, Part I.

Jan 3, 2025

Committee on Education and the Workforce discharged.

Jan 3, 2025

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology discharged.

Jan 3, 2025

Committee on Homeland Security discharged.

Jul 13, 2023

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Jul 13, 2023

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 8 - 4.

Jul 11, 2023

Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Ways and Means, Science, Space, and Technology, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Homeland Security, Education and the Workforce, Financial Services, Oversight and Accountability, and Rules, 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 11, 2023

Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.

Jul 11, 2023

Introduced in House

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Latest action January 3, 2025

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 825.

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

American Confidence in Elections Act or the ACE Act

This bill addresses election administration and security, campaign finance, and other related provisions.

Specifically, the bill directs the Election Assistance Commission's (EAC's) Standards Board and Local Leadership Council to issue voluntary considerations for states about various aspects of election administration.

Additionally, the bill

reduces certain election assistance payments for states and local jurisdictions that allow noncitizens to vote;
requires states to provide designated congressional election observers with full access to observe the administration procedures of federal elections;
prohibits federal agencies from using funds made available for salaries and expenses to solicit or enter into agreements with nongovernmental organizations to conduct voter registration or voter mobilization activities on the agency's property or website;
prohibits federal funds for election administration for states that allow ballot harvesting, with exceptions;
establishes various requirements for elections in the District of Columbia;
makes various changes to the EAC; and
prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions or donations in connection with state or local ballot initiatives or referenda.

The bill also establishes the Twentieth Amendment Section Four Panel, which must recommend to Congress model legislation to resolve any vacancy created by the death of a candidate in a contingent presidential or vice-presidential election.

The bill makes changes to campaign finance, including by (1) repealing limits on coordinated party expenditures, and (2) prohibiting federal funds from being used to make payments in support of a congressional election campaign. It also makes changes to the Federal Election Commission.

Related & companion bills 40