H.R. 4292

[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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