Vote by Mail Protection Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8666
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-07: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, Ways and Means, and House Administration, 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T08:05:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Vote by Mail Protection Act of 2026" (H.R. 8666) aims to eliminate Executive Order 14399, which focused on verifying citizenship and maintaining integrity in federal elections. By nullifying the order, the bill seeks to prevent additional requirements or restrictions on vote-by-mail processes.
Key Provisions
- Nullification of Executive Order: Executive Order 14399 (published in 91 Fed. Reg. 17125) is declared to have no legal force or effect.
- Cancellation of Related Agreements: Any contracts or arrangements made by federal agencies to implement the order are automatically canceled (abrogated).
- Funding Prohibition: No federal funds allocated for agency salaries and expenses can be used to carry out activities under the executive order.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Directly overrides an executive order issued by the President, stripping it of authority without needing further executive action.
- Introduces a statutory ban on funding, which strengthens congressional control over executive initiatives through the power of the purse (appropriations authority).
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Agencies involved in election administration (e.g., those handling voter registration or federal elections) cannot spend resources or honor prior commitments related to the order, potentially simplifying operations.
- Citizens: Voters using mail-in ballots for federal elections may face fewer citizenship verification hurdles, making voting potentially more accessible.
- No direct impact on international relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies overseeing elections or voter integrity (e.g., Election Assistance Commission or related departments).
- State and local election officials, who implement federal election rules.
- Voters, particularly those relying on mail-in ballots.
- Advocacy groups for election access and integrity.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Affirms Congress's authority under Article I of the Constitution to check executive power by legislating against or defunding executive orders.
- Constitutional: Relies on separation of powers; executive orders lack the permanence of statutes and can be overridden by Congress.
- Political: Could spark debates on election security versus voting access; referred to multiple committees (Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform, Ways and Means, House Administration) for review, indicating broad jurisdictional interest.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]
Cosponsors (31)
Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-07: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, Ways and Means, and House Administration, 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.
- 2026-05-07: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, Ways and Means, and House Administration, 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.
- 2026-05-07: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, Ways and Means, and House Administration, 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.
- 2026-05-07: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, Ways and Means, and House Administration, 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.
- 2026-05-07: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Vote by Mail Protection Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-07 — PDF (2 pages)