H.R. 4337: Congressional Oversight Access Act

This bill, titled the Congressional Oversight Access Act, aims to establish legal protections for Members of Congress as they conduct oversight activities related to federal operations. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill entails:

Purpose of the Bill

The primary objective of the bill is to prohibit executive branch personnel from using physical force against Members of Congress while they engage in official oversight activities. This is intended to safeguard the ability of Congress to monitor and investigate the actions and operations of the federal government effectively.

Prohibited Actions

According to the bill, no officer, agent, contractor, or employee of the executive branch is allowed to:

• Use physical force against a Member of Congress.
• Detain, remove, or physically interfere with a Member of Congress who:
• Is conducting a covered oversight activity.
• Presents valid congressional identification or identifies themselves as a Member of Congress.
• Is present on federally controlled property.
• Does not pose a clear and imminent physical threat to people or property.

Exceptions

While the bill provides these protections, it does include specific exceptions that ensure:

• Members of Congress must still comply with lawful security screening and building access procedures.
• Actions may be taken in response to a clear and imminent physical threat to persons or property, even if it involves a Member of Congress.

Definition of Key Terms

The bill defines important terms to clarify its provisions:

• Covered oversight activity: This encompasses any official action taken by a Member of Congress to review, monitor, supervise, investigate, or visit federal operations, compliance with laws, and administration of federal programs.
• Federally controlled property: This refers to any property owned, leased, operated, or used by the federal government or any executive branch agency, including buildings such as detention centers and field-control sites.

Conclusion of Proposal

This legislation seeks to reinforce the authority of Congress by ensuring that its Members can perform oversight responsibilities without facing physical obstruction from executive branch personnel, thus enhancing transparency and accountability within the federal government.

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