Bill Summary
The American Red Cross Transparency Act of 2019 is a bill that aims to increase transparency in the activities of the American Red Cross, as well as improve government oversight of the organization. The bill gives the Comptroller General of the United States the authority to review and audit the internal governance of the American Red Cross, as well as any programs or activities related to national preparedness. The Comptroller General also has the right to access and examine all relevant records and information, and can interview members of the board, employees, volunteers, and agents of the American Red Cross. The bill also grants the Comptroller General the power to issue subpoenas in case of non-compliance by the American Red Cross. Overall, this legislation aims to increase transparency and government accountability in the operations of the American Red Cross.
Possible Impacts
1. The American Red Cross Transparency Act of 2019 could affect the employees and volunteers of the organization, as they may be subject to interviews and requests for information by the Comptroller General in order to improve transparency.
2. The legislation could also affect the American Red Cross' internal governance, as the Comptroller General is authorized to review and make recommendations for improvement.
3. This Act could potentially affect the public's perception of the American Red Cross, as it aims to increase transparency and accountability for the organization's actions and use of federal funds.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1568 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1568
To improve transparency regarding the activities of the American Red
Cross, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 21, 2019
Mr. Grassley introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve transparency regarding the activities of the American Red
Cross, and for other purposes.
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 ``American Red Cross Transparency Act
of 2019''.
SEC. 2. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE OVERSIGHT.
Section 300111 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read
as follows:
``Sec. 300111. Authority of the Comptroller General of the United
States
``(a) Audit Authority.--The Comptroller General of the United
States is authorized to review--
``(1) the internal governance of the corporation; and
``(2) any program or activity connected to national
preparedness, including any program or activity carried out by
the corporation in connection with events for which the Federal
Government provides leadership or support under the national
preparedness system established under section 644 of the Post-
Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 744)
or any successor system.
``(b) Access Authority.--
``(1) In general.--For purposes of carrying out this
section, the Comptroller General of the United States shall
have access to and the right to examine and copy all records
and other recorded information, electronic or otherwise, within
the possession or control of the corporation that the
Comptroller General determines relevant to a review authorized
under subsection (a), including such records and other recorded
information relating to the financial transactions and internal
governance of the corporation.
``(2) Individuals.--The Comptroller General shall be
provided access to, and be permitted to interview, any member
of the board of governors, employee, volunteer, or agent of the
corporation whom the Comptroller General believes to have
knowledge relevant to a review authorized under subsection (a).
``(c) Enforcement.--
``(1) Subpoena authority.--
``(A) In general.--If the corporation does not make
available a record, other recorded information, or a
member of the board of governors, employee, volunteer,
or agent of the corporation upon a request under
subsection (b), the Comptroller General of the United
States may issue a subpoena for the record or other
recorded information or to obtain the testimony of the
member of the board of governors, employee, volunteer,
or agent.
``(B) Issuance.--A subpoena issued under this
paragraph--
``(i) shall identify the record, other
recorded information, or member of the board of
governors, employee, volunteer, or agent of the
corporation sought; and
``(ii) may be issued by the Comptroller
General.
``(C) Service.--The Comptroller General shall have
an individual serve a subpoena issued under this
paragraph by delivering a copy to the chief executive
officer of the corporation or by mailing a copy of the
subpoena by certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested, to the principal place of business
of the corporation. Proof of service is shown by a
verified return by the individual serving the subpoena
that states how the subpoena was served or by the
return receipt signed by the person served.
``(2) Action.--If the corporation does not comply with a
subpoena issued under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General of
the United States, acting through an attorney the Comptroller
General designates in writing, may bring a civil action in the
United States District Court for the District of Columbia to
require the corporation to produce the record, other recorded
information, or member of the board of governors, employee,
volunteer, or agent that is the subject of the subpoena. The
court shall have jurisdiction of such action and may punish a
failure to obey an order of the court under this subsection as
a contempt of court.''.
<all>