HR 9835

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 22, 2026

Mr. Beyer (for himself, Mrs. Hayes, Ms. Ansari, Ms. Norton, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mr. Takano, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. Tonko, and Mr. Moulton) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To allow members of Congress access to certain Federal buildings, 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 “Congressional Oversight and Agency Access Act”.

SEC. 2. ACCESS TO FEDERAL BUILDINGS.

(a) In General.—Each Member of Congress and congressional staff member shall have access to any public building during regular business hours.

(b) Requirements.—

(1) Identification.—A Member of Congress seeking access to a public building under this section shall provide congressional identification.

(2) Congressional staff.—A congressional staff member shall have access to a public building under this section only if—

(A) such staff member is accompanied by the Member of Congress that employs the staff member; and

(B) such staff member provides a valid congressional staff identification badge upon seeking access to such building.

(3) 24 hour access.—At the request of a Member of Congress or a congressional staff member, such Member or staff member shall have access to a public building outside of regular business hours not later than 24 hours after such request is made.

(c) Accessibility During Public Meetings.—In the case in which a Member of Congress or a congressional staff member is seeking access to a public building under this section during a public meeting, such Member of Congress or congressional staff member shall have immediate access to such building.

(d) Extenuating Circumstances.—The requirements of subsection (a) shall apply during an extenuating circumstance and any restriction on access to a building that is imposed on the public during such a circumstance shall not apply to a Member of Congress or an applicable congressional staff member.

(e) Areas Requiring Security Clearance.—With respect to any part of a public building for which a security clearance is required for entry, not later than 24 hours after a Member of Congress, or a congressional staff member with the appropriate level of security clearance, requests access to such part of the building, the Member or congressional staff member shall have—

(1) access to such part of the building if the Member (or the staff of such Member) is a Member of a congressional committee with jurisdiction over the applicable agency; or

(2) if the Member (or the staff of such Member) is not a Member of such a congressional committee, access to such part of the building if the Member has the consent of the Chair or Ranking Member of such congressional committee.

(f) Restriction on Modification.—With respect to a building to which access under this section is requested, no temporary modifications to such building may be made to alter what may be observed by a Member of Congress or congressional staff member.

(g) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) Access.—The term “access” means meaningful access to and observation of all parts of a public building in order for a Member of Congress to satisfy the constitutional oversight responsibility of such Member.

(2) Congressional identification.—The term “congressional identification” means any form of identification issued to Members by the Clerk or Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives (in the case of a Member of the House of Representatives) or by the Secretary or Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate (in the case of a Senator).

(3) Congressional staff member.—The term “congressional staff member” means a full-time staff member of the House of Representatives or the Senate.

(4) Extenuating circumstance.—The term “extenuating circumstance” means an event for which—

(A) the President has declared an emergency pursuant to section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622); or

(B) the Secretary of Health and Human Services has declared an emergency pursuant to section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d).

(5) Member of congress.—The term “Member of Congress” means a Member of the House of Representatives or a Senator.

(6) Public building.—The term “public building” has the meaning given such term in section 3301 of title 40, United States Code, and includes—

(A) contractor-owned and operated facilities;

(B) facilities used through an intergovernmental service agreement with local jurisdictions; and

(C) facilities under contract with a Federal entity. <all>