WASHINGTON - Today, Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil (WI-01), Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Mike Carey (OH-15) released the following statements on Senate Amendment to H.R. 6513, Confirmation of Congressional Observer Access (COCOA) Act being signed into law.

"Ensuring the fairness and accuracy of our elections is of the utmost importance to me," said Chairman Steil. "With COCOA becoming law, Congressional Election Observers will now be protected by a federal statutory citation to monitor election administration practices. I'll continue working to promote election integrity."

"The Election Observer Program shows that reinforcing the integrity and transparency of our electoral process should be a nonpartisan issue, agreed upon by all. I’m encouraged that we were able to pass this legislation to strengthen the program to protect legal voters and help ensure our elections are secure and fair,” said Speaker Johnson.

“I’m proud the COCOA Act, which will codify the long-running Congressional Observer Program, is now signed into law. This will give Americans confidence that their vote is counted with fairness and integrity,” said Rep. Carey.

Background:

On November 30, 2023, Rep. Mike Carey (OH-15) introduced the Confirmation of Congressional Observer Access (COCOA) Act. On September 25, 2024, the House of Representatives passed the Senate Amendment to H.R. 6513, the COCOA Act, by a vote of 413 - 1. On October 4, 2024 President Biden signed the bill into law. 

The COCOA Act:

  • The Constitution delegates to each House of Congress the authority to "be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members."

  • The Committee on House Administration trains and credentials employees of the House to serve as election observers so the House has its own official record of the administration of House elections.

  • COCOA provides a statutory citation for the Congressional Election Observer Program.

  • The Senate Amendment to the COCOA Act amended bill text to provide a statutory citation for a Senate Election Observer Program that would allow credentialed employees of the Senate to serve as election observers.

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