119-hconres28

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 28 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

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119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. CON. RES. 28

 Expressing the sense of Congress that the votes of overseas 
 servicemembers must be counted and honored as required under the 
 Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 April 14, 2025

 Ms. Ross (for herself, Mrs. Foushee, and Ms. Adams) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
 House Administration

_______________________________________________________________________

 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 Expressing the sense of Congress that the votes of overseas 
 servicemembers must be counted and honored as required under the 
 Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

Whereas the right to vote is a fundamental pillar of democracy and a sacred 
 right safeguarded by the Constitution of the United States;
Whereas Congress enacted the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act

    (UOCAVA) (52 U.S.C. 20301-20311) in 1986 to protect the voting rights of 
 members of the United States Uniformed Services and overseas citizens, 
 ensuring their ability to participate in Federal elections through 
 absentee ballots;
Whereas UOCAVA requires States and territories to establish procedures to 
 guarantee the timely transmission, receipt, and counting of absentee 
 ballots from eligible uniformed servicemembers and overseas citizens;
Whereas servicemembers stationed abroad face unique and significant challenges 
 in exercising their right to vote, including logistical barriers, mail 
 delays, and operational demands inherent to their service to the Nation; 
 and
Whereas the failure to count legally cast absentee ballots from military 
 personnel and overseas citizens undermines election integrity, 
 disrespects their sacrifices, and weakens public trust in democratic 
 processes: Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),

SECTION 1. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

 It is the sense of Congress that--

    (1) the votes of uniformed servicemembers and overseas 
 citizens, submitted in compliance with the Uniformed and 
 Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act

    (UOCAVA) , must be fully 
 counted and honored in all Federal, State, and local elections;

    (2) all States, territories, and election authorities must 
 uphold their obligations under UOCAVA by ensuring that no 
 legally submitted absentee ballot is rejected without due 
 process or in violation of Federal law; and

    (3) the disenfranchisement of military personnel and 
 overseas citizens through administrative error, procedural 
 delays, or undue restrictions is unacceptable and contrary to 
 the values of the United States.

SEC. 2. REAFFIRMING FEDERAL PROTECTIONS.

 Congress reaffirms its commitment to enforcing UOCAVA and ensuring 
that every eligible servicemember and overseas citizen can exercise 
their right to vote without undue burden. States and territories are 
urged to prioritize the timely processing, acceptance, and counting of 
absentee ballots in accordance with Federal law.

SEC. 3. ENFORCEMENT.

 Congress calls upon the Attorney General of the United States to 
monitor compliance with UOCAVA, take prompt action to address 
violations, and safeguard the voting rights of uniformed servicemembers 
and overseas citizens.
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