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.

[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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