Congressional Oversight and Agency Access Act

Key Points

• This bill would give members of Congress the right to enter and inspect any federal building during normal business hours. This includes facilities owned by the government and those run by private contractors or local governments under federal contracts.
• Lawmakers would need to show their official ID to get in. Their staff could also join them as long as they are with the member of Congress and have their own ID badges. If they want to visit after hours, the government must grant them access within 24 hours of the request.
• The goal is to make sure Congress can do its job of checking on how the government is running. The bill specifically says that agencies cannot make temporary changes to a building to hide what is happening inside when a lawmaker visits.
• Even during a national emergency or a public health crisis, lawmakers would still have the right to visit these buildings. Any rules that keep the general public out during these times would not apply to members of Congress trying to perform their oversight duties.
• For areas that require security clearance, lawmakers or cleared staff must be given access within 24 hours if they are on the committee that oversees that agency. If they are not on the right committee, they can still get in if the committee leaders agree.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.