U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
HB10497: Protect Our Polls Act
Status: In committee, September 17, 2026
To require explicit Congressional approval for troops or armed persons at polling places for the only exception in the United States Code, and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To require explicit Congressional approval for troops or armed persons at polling places for the only exception in the United States Code, and for other purposes.
From the introduced text, September 17, 2026:
A BILL To require explicit Congressional approval for troops or armed persons at polling places for the only exception in the United States Code, and for other purposes. SECTION 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protect Our Polls Act . SECTION 2. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) sending troops or armed persons to the polls has been federally criminalized for more than 150 years under the provisions codified in sections 592 and 593 of title 18, United States Code, punishable by up to 5 years in prison; (2) such section 592 contains a limited exception to this prohibition under which troops or armed persons may only be used to repel armed enemies of the United States; and (3) such exception has never been exercised. SECTION 3. Notification and congressional disapproval process for troops or armed persons at polls (a) In general Chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 592 the following: SECTION 592a. Congressional action (a) Notification requirement Not less than 48 hours before troops or armed persons, including Federal law enforcement officers, are intended to be sent to any place where a general or special election is held to repel armed enemies of the United States under section 592, or any other …
Sponsors
- Chrissy Houlahan (D, HD-006) · primary sponsor
- Maggie Goodlander (D, HD-002)
- George Whitesides (D)
- Pat Ryan (D, HD-018)
- Derek Tran (D)
- Jimmy Panetta (D)
- Salud Carbajal (D)
- Norton, Eleanor (D, HD-000)
- Brad Sherman (D)
Latest actions
- : Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- : Introduced in House
Subjects: Crime and Law Enforcement
Common questions
- What is HB10497?
- HB10497 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): Protect Our Polls Act.
- What does HB10497 do?
- In its own words: To require explicit Congressional approval for troops or armed persons at polling places for the only exception in the United States Code, and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB10497?
- In committee as of September 17, 2026. Latest action: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (September 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB10497?
- Chrissy Houlahan (D, HD-006), with 8 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB10497?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/10497
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.