Congress proposal would add footnotes to bills naming lawmakers who wrote adopted amendments
Also known as: Legislative Accountability Act
Legislative Progress
Impacts
Key Points
- Committee chairs would have to report which lawmakers submitted amendments that got adopted in committee or on the House/Senate floor.
- For big money and tax committees, chairs would also have to name the lawmaker responsible for adding each provision in the version the committee reports out.
- The House Clerk, Senate Secretary, and Government Publishing Office would then add those names into bill text as footnotes tied to the specific amendment or provision.
- Goal: make it easier for the public and other lawmakers to see who wrote or pushed specific changes in major bills.
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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
What Happens Next
Projected impacts based on AI analysis
Committees start sending amendment-sponsor names within 3 legislative days after reporting a bill
Soon after a committee approves a bill, the public record can show which lawmakers got changes adopted in committee, making it easier to track who pushed what.
Rules committees send amendment-sponsor names within 3 legislative days after a bill passes each chamber
After House or Senate passage, adopted floor amendments can be tied to a specific lawmaker in the bill’s paperwork, improving traceability of late-stage changes.
For major money/tax committees, chairs submit who is responsible for each included provision
For big spending and tax bills, readers may see clearer “ownership” of specific provisions, which can reduce anonymous add-ons and sharpen accountability.
Bill text begins including required footnotes across versions (reported, passed, final)
You can look at the actual bill text and see footnotes pointing to which lawmaker is tied to an adopted amendment or provision, instead of hunting through separate documents.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Legislative Accountability Act
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Data Sources
Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.