HR 6513 United States House · 118th Congress

COCOA Act of 2024

The COCOA Act of 2024 amends the Help America Vote Act to confirm Congress's constitutional authority to send election observers to monitor election administration procedures. It requires states to allow designated congressional election observers (House or Senate committee employees) full access to observe all election administration procedures, including ballot processing, tabulation, and certification at polling locations. The bill prohibits observers from handling ballots, interfering with voting, reducing voter privacy, or disrupting election administration, and establishes procedures for removing observers with 24-hour notification requirements to congressional committees. This legislation directly affects all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories by mandating access for designated observers during federal elections.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2023
Committee Review
Sep 2024
House Passage
Sep 2024
Senate Passage
Sep 2024
Signed into Law
Oct 2024
Introduced Nov 30, 2023 Signed Oct 4, 2024
Floor votes · House Sep 25, 2024

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
28
Key actions
8
Committee
5
Amendments
4
Oct 4, 2024
Signed into law
Signed by President.
executive
Sep 25, 2024
Introduced
On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 1 (Roll no. 449). (text: CR H5791)
lower
Sep 25, 2024
Lower · Passed
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 1 (Roll no. 449). (text: CR H5791)
lower
Sep 25, 2024
Introduced
Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 6513 - "An Act to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to confirm the requirement that States allow access to designated congressional election observers to observe the election administration procedures in congressional elections." (consideration: CR H5800)
lower
Sep 25, 2024
Introduced
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 6513.
lower
Sep 25, 2024
Introduced
Mr. Steil moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H5791-5792)
lower
Sep 24, 2024
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
upper
Sep 24, 2024
Upper · Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
upper
Sep 24, 2024
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee on Rules and Administration discharged by Unanimous Consent.
upper
Sep 10, 2024
Committee
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
upper
Sep 9, 2024
Lower · Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5049-5050)
lower
Jan 29, 2024
Lower · Passed
Reported by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 118-361.
lower
Nov 30, 2023
Lower · Passed
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
lower
Nov 30, 2023
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
lower
Nov 30, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors