Summary: H.Res. 311 – Dismissing the election contest relating to the office of Representative from the Thirtieth Congressional District of Texas

Purpose

• To dismiss the election contest filed with the Clerk of the House under the Federal Contested Elections Act (FCEA) concerning the November 5, 2024, election for the U.S. House seat from Texas’s 30th Congressional District.
• The Committee on House Administration recommends the House agree to the resolution, effectively ending the contest.

What the bill would do

• Dismiss the contest relating to the Thirtieth District of Texas due to untimely filing under the FCEA.
• Implement no new budget authority or spending; no tax or revenue changes are involved.

Background and key facts

• Contestant: Jrmar Jefferson (Libertarian) filed a Notice of Contest on January 3, 2025, alleging flaws in the official filing by Contestee Jasmine Crockett (incumbent Democrat) and alleging related unlawful/fraudulent post-filing activities.
• Contestee: Jasmine Crockett, certified as the winner for the district by the Texas Secretary of State and Texas Governor on November 25, 2024.
• Basis of contest: Alleged defect in the official application (a non-Texas/out-of-state notary) and related post-filing conduct.
• Standing: The contestant met the statutory standing requirement by being the Libertarian nominee on the official ballot for the district in the 2024 election.

Timelines and procedural posture

• Election certification: November 25, 2024 (Texas certification of the winner).
• Deadline to file (FCEA): December 25, 2024 (30 days after certification).
• Notice of Contest filed: January 3, 2025 (late).
• Committee action: March 11, 2025, by voice vote, the Committee on House Administration voted to report the resolution favorably to the House.
• Reported to House: H. Rept. 119-54 accompanies H.Res. 311 (April 9, 2025).
• Status: Placed on the House Calendar (Calendar No. 19) on April 9, 2025; sponsor: Rep. Bryan Steil (primary).

Key provisions and rationale

• The primary and sole substantive provision is that the election contest is dismissed due to untimely filing under the FCEA.
• The Congressional Budget Office did not submit a cost estimate for this resolution, consistent with its lack of new authorizations or spending; no budget authority is requested or provided.
• The committee’s analysis concludes the contestant failed to file within the statutory deadline (30 days after certification), rendering the contest untimely and subject to dismissal.

Who/what is affected

• Affected individuals: Jrmar Jefferson (contestant) and Jasmine Crockett (contestee).
• Affected office: Representative from Texas’s 30th Congressional District.
• Broader impact: Resolves the election contest, restoring the status consistent with the official election certification.

Impact and next steps

• If enacted, the resolution would end the contest and affirm the seat as certified (Jasmine Crockett as the winner) absent any other valid contest grounds.
• No new spending or policy changes accompany this resolution.