[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4292 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4292
To establish within the legislative branch a Congressional Task Force
on Voting Rights of United States Citizen Residents of Territories of
the United States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 2, 2025
Ms. Plaskett (for herself and Mr. Moylan) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish within the legislative branch a Congressional Task Force
on Voting Rights of United States Citizen Residents of Territories of
the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. CONGRESSIONAL TASK FORCE ON VOTING RIGHTS OF UNITED STATES
CITIZEN RESIDENTS OF TERRITORIES OF THE UNITED STATES.
(a) Findings Relating to Territorial Voting Rights.--Congress finds
the following:
(1) The right to vote is one of the most powerful
instruments residents of the territories of the United States
have to ensure that their voices are heard.
(2) These Americans have played an important part in the
American democracy for more than 120 years.
(3) Political participation and the right to vote are among
the highest concerns of territorial residents in part because
they were not always afforded these rights.
(4) Voter participation in the territories consistently
ranks higher than many communities on the mainland.
(5) Territorial residents serve and die, on a per capita
basis, at a higher rate in every United States war and conflict
since WWI, as an expression of their commitment to American
democratic principles and patriotism.
(b) Task Force.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established within the
legislative branch a Congressional Task Force on Voting Rights
of United States Citizen Residents of Territories of the United
States (in this section referred to as the ``Task Force'').
(2) Membership.--The Task Force shall be composed of 15
members as follows:
(A) One Member of the House of Representatives, who
shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, in coordination with the Chairman of
the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives.
(B) One Member of the House of Representatives, who
shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, in coordination with the Chairman of
the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives.
(C) Two Members of the House of Representatives,
who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, in coordination with the Chairman of
the Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives.
(D) One Member of the House of Representatives, who
shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House.
(E) One Member of the House of Representatives, who
shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House
of Representatives, in coordination with the ranking
minority member of the Committee on Natural Resources
of the House of Representatives.
(F) One Member of the House of Representatives, who
shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House
of Representatives, in coordination with the ranking
minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary of
the House of Representatives.
(G) One Member of the House of Representatives, who
shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House
of Representatives, in coordination with the ranking
minority member of the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives.
(H) One Member of the Senate, who shall be
appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, in
coordination with the Chairman of the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.
(I) One Member of the Senate, who shall be
appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, in
coordination with the Chairman of the Committee on the
Judiciary of the Senate.
(J) One Member of the Senate, who shall be
appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, in
coordination with the Chairman of the Committee on
Rules and Administration of the Senate.
(K) One Member of the Senate, who shall be
appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate.
(L) One Member of the Senate, who shall be
appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, in
coordination with the ranking minority member of the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate.
(M) One Member of the Senate, who shall be
appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, in
coordination with the ranking minority member of the
Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate.
(N) One Member of the Senate, who shall be
appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, in
coordination with the ranking minority member of the
Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.
(3) Deadline for appointment.--All appointments to the Task
Force shall be made not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(4) Chair.--The Speaker shall designate one Member to serve
as chair of the Task Force.
(5) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Task Force shall be
filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(6) Status update.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Task Force shall provide a
status update to the House of Representatives and the Senate
that includes--
(A) information the Task Force has collected; and
(B) a discussion on matters that the chairman of
the Task Force deems urgent for consideration by
Congress.
(7) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Task Force shall issue a report of
its findings to the House of Representatives and the Senate
regarding--
(A) the economic and societal consequences (through
statistical data and other metrics) that come with
political disenfranchisement of United States citizens
in territories of the United States;
(B) impediments to full and equal voting rights for
United States citizens who are residents of territories
of the United States in Federal elections, including
the election of the President and Vice President of the
United States;
(C) impediments to full and equal voting
representation in the House of Representatives for
United States citizens who are residents of territories
of the United States;
(D) recommended changes that, if adopted, would
allow for full and equal voting rights for United
States citizens who are residents of territories of the
United States in Federal elections, including the
election of the President and Vice President of the
United States;
(E) recommended changes that, if adopted, would
allow for full and equal voting representation in the
House of Representatives for United States citizens who
are residents of territories of the United States; and
(F) additional information the Task Force deems
appropriate.
(8) Consensus views.--To the greatest extent practicable,
the report issued under paragraph (7) shall reflect the shared
views of all 15 Members, except that the report may contain
dissenting views.
(9) Hearings and sessions.--The Task Force may, for the
purpose of carrying out this section, hold hearings, sit and
act at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence
as the Task Force considers appropriate.
(10) Stakeholder participation.--In carrying out its
duties, the Task Force shall consult with the governments of
American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United States
Virgin Islands.
(11) Resources.--The Task Force shall carry out its duties
by utilizing existing facilities, services, and staff of the
House of Representatives and the Senate.
(12) Termination.--The Task Force shall terminate upon
issuing the report required under paragraph (7).
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