Bills · S 2549
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 2549Government Operations and Politics
Time Off to Vote Act
INTRO JUL 30· LAST ACTION JUL 30
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
17
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill addresses a long-standing challenge to voter participation: the difficulty many working Americans face in getting to the polls on Election Day. For hourly wage earners, taking time off to vote often means losing pay, which can be a significant deterrent. Even salaried employees can struggle with long lines, travel, and demanding work schedules.
If this bill becomes law, it would ensure that a significant portion of the workforce has a guaranteed window of paid time to vote, potentially increasing voter turnout and making the democratic process more accessible. It would establish a consistent national standard for federal elections, preventing a patchwork of different state rules from creating confusion or inequities. If it doesn't pass, many voters would continue to face the same obstacles, potentially having to choose between their income and their right to vote, or relying solely on varying state laws for voter leave.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires employers with 25 or more employees to provide a minimum of 2 consecutive hours of paid leave for federal elections upon employee request.
This directly grants workers paid time off to vote, addressing a common barrier to participation for those with demanding schedules or hourly wages.
PROVISION 02
Allows employers to specify the hours for this leave, including requiring it during state-designated early voting periods.
This gives businesses flexibility in managing their operations while still ensuring employees can vote, potentially distributing the impact on workforces.
PROVISION 03
Prohibits employers from penalizing employees for taking voting leave, including not allowing any loss of benefits or retaliating against them.
This protects employees from unfair treatment or job insecurity simply for exercising their right to vote, fostering a safe environment for civic participation.
PROVISION 04
Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to investigate violations and impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation on non-compliant employers.
This establishes a clear enforcement mechanism and financial deterrent for employers who do not follow the law, ensuring accountability.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 17
D· Hawaii
YRS IN OFFICE
19
BILLS LED
62
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 17 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJUL 30
Introduced in Senate
JUL 30
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 2549
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJul 30, 2025
Last actionJul 30, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUL 30, 2025
Senate BillS 2549Government Operations and Politics
Time Off to Vote Act
INTRODUCED JUL 30, 2025· LAST ACTION JUL 30, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
5 min
COSPONSORS
17
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
