S. 1240 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Apr 1, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryBlocks executive order on voting requirements
This bill cancels an executive order about federal elections and stops the government from spending money to enforce it. The executive order had required people registering to vote in federal elections to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or certain types of ID. The bill also prevents a federal agency called the Department of Government Efficiency from using federal funds to access state voter registration lists, immigration databases, or other records related to federal elections.
How it affects you
If you're a voter, this bill would affect what documents you need to register or stay registered to vote in federal elections. It would also limit what immigration and voter registration data a federal agency can access using federal money. The bill's direct effects depend on which voting rules would otherwise apply in your state.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Apr 1, 2025)
Defending America’s Future Elections Act
This bill nullifies an executive order that restricts voting in federal elections and prohibits federal funds from being used to implement, administer, enforce, or carry out the executive order. The bill also prohibits federal funds from being appropriated or transferred to, or used by, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to access federal immigration databases or records related to federal elections.
Specifically, the bill nullifies Executive Order 14248, titled Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections, which was signed by President Donald Trump on March 25, 2025.
Among other elements, the order that is being nullified by this bill directs the Election Assistance Commission to update the national mail voter registration form to require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. The order specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a U.S. passport or identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 and indicates U.S. citizenship.
The bill also prohibits federal funds from being appropriated or transferred to, or used by, DOGE to access state voter registration lists, records concerning voter list maintenance activities, federal immigration databases, or other public or private state records related to federal elections.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1240
A BILL
Defending America’s Future Elections Act
Sponsor: Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) · Introduced Apr 1, 2025 · Government Operations and Politics · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 1, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.”