Bill · H.R. 9835· House(119-HR-9835)
Congressional Oversight and Agency Access Act
- Introduced
- 7/22/2026
- Last activity
- 7/22/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Sponsored by
- Donald Beyer
- Cosponsors
- - 11 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Congressional Oversight and Agency Access Act. It gives Members of Congress and their staff access to public buildings during regular business hours when they show their congressional identification. The bill also lets them get access outside of normal hours within 24 hours of a request, or immediately during public meetings. During emergencies declared by the President or the Secretary of Health and Human Services, public access restrictions do not apply to them. Additionally, it outlines rules for entering areas that require security clearances based on committee jurisdiction or committee leadership consent.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill enhances oversight by allowing Members to observe all parts of federal buildings without temporary modifications.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 2(a) and Section 2(g): These sections give Members of Congress and their staff meaningful access to and observation of all parts of a public building to satisfy constitutional oversight responsibilities. This could be seen as positive because it helps hold our elected officials and federal agencies accountable by allowing them to check on federal operations directly.
-
Section 2(c): This provision ensures immediate access to public buildings for Members and staff during public meetings. This is a good thing for transparency since it helps our representatives attend and observe public proceedings without unnecessary delays.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
Based on the text provided, there are no specific sections or provisions that explicitly outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5
- 9/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Lizzie FletcherDemocrat · Texas
John GaramendiDemocrat · California
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Suhas SubramanyamDemocrat · Virginia
Paul TonkoDemocrat · New York
Mark TakanoDemocrat · California
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey