Trump-Reagan Election Enforcement Act
Latest action (23 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 9897, the Trump-Reagan Election Enforcement Act, would amend federal highway law to link states' surface transportation funding to their voter registration laws. Specifically, it directs the Secretary of Transportation to withhold 10 percent of a state's apportioned federal highway funds beginning after fiscal year 2026, with an additional 5 percent withheld each subsequent year, unless the state has enacted laws requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration, an alternative process for those unable to provide such documents, ongoing efforts to identify noncitizens, in-person verification for mail-in registrants, removal of noncitizens from voter rolls, a private right of action against election officials who register ineligible applicants, and criminal penalties for such registrations.
The bill would affect state governments, which administer both voter registration and highway funding, as well as state election officials and voters. States that do not adopt the specified citizenship-verification requirements would face escalating cuts to federal transportation funds, creating financial pressure to change their election laws.
The bill was introduced in the House on July 23, 2026, by Rep. Lauren Boebert and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. As a newly introduced bill, it has not yet been considered by committee or voted on by the full House, and would need to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the President before taking effect.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 23, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9897 do?
- H.R. 9897, the Trump-Reagan Election Enforcement Act, would amend federal highway law to link states' surface transportation funding to their voter registration laws. Specifically, it directs the Secretary of Transportation to withhold 10 percent of a state's apportioned federal highway funds beginning after fiscal year 2026, with an additional 5 percent withheld each subsequent year, unless the state has enacted laws requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration, an alternative process for those unable to provide such documents, ongoing efforts to identify noncitizens, in-person verification for mail-in registrants, removal of noncitizens from voter rolls, a private right of action against election officials who register ineligible applicants, and criminal penalties for such registrations. The bill would affect state governments, which administer both voter registration and highway funding, as well as state election officials and voters. States that do not adopt the specified citizenship-verification requirements would face escalating cuts to federal transportation funds, creating financial pressure to change their election laws. The bill was introduced in the House on July 23, 2026, by Rep. Lauren Boebert and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. As a newly introduced bill, it has not yet been considered by committee or voted on by the full House, and would need to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the President before taking effect.
- Has H.R. 9897 become law?
- Not yet. As of 23 Jul 2026, H.R. 9897 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9897?
- H.R. 9897 was sponsored by Rep. Lauren Boebert [R-CO4] (Republican-CO), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9897?
- Introduced (23 Jul 2026).
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