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H.R. 4491House118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Solving an Overlooked Loophole in Votes for Executives (SOLVE) Act

Sponsored by Mike JohnsonRep. Mike Johnson (R-LA)
Introduced July 6, 2023

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 9:39 AM UTC

The SOLVE Act creates a temporary Twentieth Amendment Section Four Panel of constitutional experts to advise Congress on how to handle a vacancy that occurs when a presidential or vice‑presidential candidate dies during a contingent election. The panel’s recommendations would shape future legislation for filling such vacancies, affecting the election process and Congress itself.

Key Provisions

  • Establishes a six‑member panel of constitutional experts appointed by Senate and House leaders.
  • Requires all appointments to be made within 180 days of the Act’s enactment and fills any vacancies the same way.
  • Tasks the panel with recommending model legislation to resolve vacancies caused by a candidate’s death in a contingent election.
  • Mandates an interim report to Congress within one year after all members are appointed.
  • Mandates a final report no later than six months after the interim report.
  • Specifies that panel meetings be held at the Law Library of Congress and members receive no compensation, with only minimal funding allowed for library support.
  • Sets the panel to dissolve 90 days after submitting its final report, with its records transferred to the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

July 6, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 6, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

July 6, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 6, 2023

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4491

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 6, 2023

Mr. Johnson of Louisiana introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To establish the Twentieth Amendment Section Four Panel to recommend to Congress model legislation to provide for an appropriate process to resolve any vacancy created by the death of a candidate in a contingent presidential or vice-presidential election.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Solving an Overlooked Loophole in Votes for Executives (SOLVE) Act.

2.

Establishment of panel of constitutional experts

(a)

Establishment

There is established the Twentieth Amendment Section Four Panel (in this section referred to as the Panel).

(b)

Membership

(1)

In general

The Panel shall be composed of 6 constitutional experts, of whom—

(A)

1 shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;

(B)

1 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;

(C)

1 shall be appointed jointly by the majority and minority leader of the Senate;

(D)

1 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(E)

1 shall be appointed by minority leader of the House of Representatives; and

(F)

1 shall be appointed jointly by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the minority leader of the House of Representatives.

(2)

Date

The appointments of the members of the Panel shall be made not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

(3)

Vacancy

Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Panel shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.

(4)

Chairperson and Vice Chairperson

The Panel shall select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the members of the Panel.

(c)

Purpose

The purpose of the Panel shall be to recommend to Congress model legislation, which shall provide for an appropriate process, pursuant to section 4 of the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution, to resolve any vacancy created by the death of a candidate in a contingent presidential or vice-presidential election.

(d)

Reports

(1)

Initial report

Not later than 1 year after the date on which all of the appointments have been made under subsection (b)(2), the Panel shall submit to Congress an interim report containing the Panel’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

(2)

Final report

Not later than 6 months after the submission of the interim report under paragraph (1), the Panel shall submit to Congress a final report containing the Panel’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

(e)

Meetings; information

(1)

In general

Meetings of the Panel shall be held at the Law Library of Congress.

(2)

Information

The Panel may secure from the Law Library of Congress such information as the Panel considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

(f)

Funds

(1)

Compensation of members

Members of the Panel shall receive no compensation.

(2)

Other funding

No amounts shall be appropriated for the purposes of this section, except for any amounts strictly necessary for the Law Library of Congress to execute its responsibilities under subsection (e).

(g)

Termination

(1)

In general

The panel established under subsection (a) shall terminate 90 days after the date on which the panel submits the final report required under subsection (d)(2).

(2)

Records

Upon termination of the panel, all of its records shall become the records of the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives.