Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (19 Jan 2022): Motion to proceed to consideration of the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5746 (Record Vote No. 9) withdrawn in Senate.
What this bill does
H.R. 5746, as introduced by Rep. Donald Beyer, was originally titled the "NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Extension Act of 2021." Its substantive text would have amended title 51 of the U.S. Code to extend NASA's authority to lease non-excess, underutilized real property to private companies, state and local governments, academic institutions, and other federal agencies, pushing the expiration date of that authority from December 31, 2021, to December 31, 2031. The bill's findings noted that in fiscal year 2019 NASA leased 65 properties under this program, generating about $10.8 million in net revenue used partly for facility repairs and maintenance.
This leasing extension would primarily affect NASA's real-property management, potentially reducing operating costs and deferred maintenance while benefiting outside entities that lease NASA facilities.
However, the bill number H.R. 5746 was later used as a legislative vehicle in the Senate for unrelated voting-rights legislation, ultimately known as the "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act." After the House and Senate exchanged amendments, the Senate voted on a motion to invoke cloture to allow a final vote on the House amendment to the Senate amendment. On January 19, 2022, that cloture motion failed by a vote of 49–51, meaning the measure did not receive the 60 votes needed to proceed. As a result, this version of H.R. 5746 did not advance further and no additional action is expected on it under this bill number.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act
This bill addresses voter registration and voting access, election integrity and security, redistricting, campaign finance, and voting rights.
Specifically, the bill expands voter registration (e.g., automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (e.g., vote-by-mail and early voting). It also limits removing voters from voter rolls.
Next, the bill establishes Election Day as a federal holiday.
The bill establishes certain federal criminal offenses related to voting. In particular, the bill establishes a new criminal offense for conduct (or attempted conduct) to corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from registering to vote or helping someone register to vote.
Additionally, the bill sets forth provisions related to election security, including by requiring states to conduct post-election audits for federal elections.
The bill outlines criteria for congressional redistricting and generally prohibits mid-decade redistricting.
The bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices.
Timeline
19 Jan 2022
Motion to proceed to consideration of the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5746 (Record Vote No. 9) withdrawn in Senate.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 5746 do?
- H.R. 5746, as introduced by Rep. Donald Beyer, was originally titled the "NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Extension Act of 2021." Its substantive text would have amended title 51 of the U.S. Code to extend NASA's authority to lease non-excess, underutilized real property to private companies, state and local governments, academic institutions, and other federal agencies, pushing the expiration date of that authority from December 31, 2021, to December 31, 2031. The bill's findings noted that in fiscal year 2019 NASA leased 65 properties under this program, generating about $10.8 million in net revenue used partly for facility repairs and maintenance. This leasing extension would primarily affect NASA's real-property management, potentially reducing operating costs and deferred maintenance while benefiting outside entities that lease NASA facilities. However, the bill number H.R. 5746 was later used as a legislative vehicle in the Senate for unrelated voting-rights legislation, ultimately known as the "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act." After the House and Senate exchanged amendments, the Senate voted on a motion to invoke cloture to allow a final vote on the House amendment to the Senate amendment. On January 19, 2022, that cloture motion failed by a vote of 49–51, meaning the measure did not receive the 60 votes needed to proceed. As a result, this version of H.R. 5746 did not advance further and no additional action is expected on it under this bill number.
- Has H.R. 5746 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 5746. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 5746?
- H.R. 5746 was sponsored by Rep. Beyer, Donald S., Jr. [D-VA-8] (D-VA), with 5 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 5746?
- Motion to proceed to consideration of the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5746 (Record Vote No. 9) withdrawn in Senate. (19 Jan 2022).
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