H.R. 7593 — Reported in House

IB Union Calendar No. 528 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7593 [Report No. 118–631] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 8, 2024Mrs. Bice (for herself, Mr. Carey, Mr. Kilmer, and Mr. Morelle) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration August 16, 2024Additional sponsor: Mr. Davis of North Carolina August 16, 2024Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed A BILL To enhance the authority of the Director of the Congressional Research Service to obtain information directly from agencies of the Federal government. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Modernizing the Congressional Research Service’s Access to Data Act. 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;. August 16, 2024Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed