Bill Summary
This bill, titled the "Modernizing the Congressional Research Service's Access to Data Act", aims to give the Director of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) greater authority to obtain information directly from federal government agencies. It specifically amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to allow the Director to request and obtain books, records, correspondence, and other data from various departments and agencies in a timely manner. The bill also emphasizes the need for confidentiality and imposes penalties for unauthorized disclosure or use of the obtained information.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could potentially affect government agencies and departments, as it allows the Director of the Congressional Research Service to access information directly from them. This could mean that agencies and departments may need to allocate resources and time to fulfill these requests, potentially affecting their daily operations.
2. The legislation could also affect the confidentiality of certain government information. The Director is required to maintain the same level of confidentiality as required by law, but there is still a possibility of unauthorized disclosure or use by officers or employees of the Congressional Research Service. This could potentially affect the privacy of individuals or the security of certain government data.
3. The passage of this legislation could also affect the work and duties of the Congressional Research Service itself. The Director is now authorized to directly access information from government agencies, which may change the way they gather and analyze data. This could lead to a more efficient and comprehensive research process, but it could also change the dynamics of how the Congressional Research Service operates.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7593 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7593
To enhance the authority of the Director of the Congressional Research
Service to obtain information directly from agencies of the Federal
government.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 8, 2024
Mrs. Bice (for herself, Mr. Carey, Mr. Kilmer, and Mr. Morelle)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
House Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To enhance the authority of the Director of the Congressional Research
Service to obtain information directly from agencies of the Federal
government.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Modernizing the Congressional
Research Service's Access to Data Act''.
SEC. 2. ACCESS OF CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE TO GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION.
(a) Direct Access to Information.--Section 203 of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 166) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (i) the following new
subsection:
``(j)(1) In carrying out the duties and functions of the
Congressional Research Service under subsection (d), the Director is
authorized to secure books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers,
documents, secure information, and other data in all forms directly
from the various departments, agencies, and establishments of the
executive branch of the Government and the regulatory agencies and
commissions of the Government as the Director determines to be
necessary to carry out the request, and all such departments, agencies,
establishments, and regulatory agencies and commissions shall furnish
the Director with all such available material in a timely manner.
``(2) With respect to books, records, correspondence, memoranda,
papers, documents, secure information, and other data in all forms
obtained under paragraph (1), the Director shall maintain the same
level of confidentiality as is required by law of the department,
agency, establishment, or regulatory agency or commission from which it
is obtained. Officers and employees of the Congressional Research
Service shall be subject to the same statutory penalties for
unauthorized disclosure or use as officers or employees of the
department, agency, establishment, or regulatory agency or commission
from which it is obtained.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 203(d)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C.
166(d)(1)) is amended in the matter following subparagraph (C) by
striking ``and in the performance of this duty'' and all that follows
through ``comply with such request;''.
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