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119-hr-8581119th Congress

SET Act

Sponsored By: Representative Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18]

Introduced

Summary

Require special elections within 180 days to fill U.S. House vacancies. The bill would pair that timing rule with civil enforcement so the Attorney General or private parties can sue to force a state to hold the election.

Show full summary
  • Constituents: Districts would get a vote sooner, generally reducing the time a seat is vacant to 180 days unless a general election falls in that window.
  • State election officials: Governors and secretaries of state would need to schedule special elections within 180 days or face court actions, subject to existing state law on election timing.
  • Congressional leaders and private plaintiffs: The Attorney General may sue to enforce the rule, and any aggrieved person including the Speaker or House Minority Leader could seek declaratory or injunctive relief against a state chief executive.
  • Election procedures: The bill defines “special election” as the vote to fill the vacancy and says it does not include nominating elections, clarifying what counts under the deadline.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Faster special elections for House seats

If enacted, this bill would require a special election to fill any U.S. House vacancy within 180 days after the vacancy occurs. The 180-day rule would not apply if a regularly scheduled general election for that office is to be held at any time during that 180-day period. The bill would define “special election” as the election to choose someone to fill the vacancy and would exclude elections held only to nominate candidates. To enforce the deadline, the Attorney General could sue the State chief executive, and any person aggrieved — including the Speaker or House Minority Leader — could bring a private suit asking a court to order the State to hold the election.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18]

TX • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

  • Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

  • Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

  • Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

  • Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/15/2026

  • Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]

    AL • D

    Sponsored 5/15/2026

  • Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 5/15/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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