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H.R. 8581119th CongressIn committeeLatest action Apr 29, 2026Decoded by AI · checked against the record
Official title: To require States to hold special elections to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives not later than 180 days after a vacancy occurs in the House of Representatives, and for other purposes.
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govThe plain-language version leads. The official text is always the reference.
States would have 180 days to hold a special election when a U.S. House seat becomes vacant, or face a federal lawsuit.
40-second read · 4 questions answered below
This bill would require states to hold a special election within 180 days whenever a U.S. House seat becomes empty. The one exception is if a regularly scheduled general election for that seat is already set to happen within that same 180-day period.
State governments would face a new deadline they currently do not have. The U.S. Attorney General, private citizens harmed by a violation, or the House Speaker or Minority Leader could sue a non-complying state governor in federal court.
Right now, states have wide flexibility in deciding when or whether to hold special elections, meaning some vacant seats may go unfilled for extended periods. This bill would change that by setting a firm deadline and creating a legal path to enforce it.
AI-drafted summary. Verify it against the official text before you act on it. Read the official bill on Congress.gov
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the President.
Latest action: — Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.