Modernizing the Congressional Research Service's Access to Data Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7593) to enhance the authority of the Director of the Congressional Research Service to obtain information directly from agencies of the Federal government.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 7593

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 ``Modernizing the Congressional Research Service's Access to Data Act''. SEC. 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;''.

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Mr. STEIL. 7593, the Modernizing the Congressional Research Service's Access to Data Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7593, the Modernizing the Congressional Research Service's Access to Data Act.

Congress is a dynamic institution. The way it operates today is different from how it operated 50 years ago. It is probably safe to say that 50 years from now, Congress will look quite different than it does once again today.

The Committee on House Administration is working to modernize Congress. The Subcommittee on Modernization's mandate is to improve and update how Congress works on behalf of the American people. There is no expiration date on this work. Because society evolves, Congress must do the same.

Congress must be capable of continually adapting to address both the issues of the day and Americans' needs. As Congress evolves, its support agencies must do the same. They must be capable of working in a way that reflects how Congress works.

It has been over 50 years since Congress updated CRS' authorizing statute, and much has changed since then in terms of how Congress operates. The Federal policy landscape has grown more and more complex, and back home Americans are confronting a vast range of challenges and are increasingly seeking our help.

As a result, Members are relying on CRS more than ever for supporting their legislative and representational duties. In order for CRS to meet the growing demand, it needs quick access to current and reliable data and information.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7593 fulfills this need. It updates CRS' statute to ensure that the agency can request data and information from Federal agencies to support its work on behalf of Congress. To be clear, we are talking about information and data that Congress and its support agencies have an established right to access.

This change to the statute reflects how Congress has changed over the past five decades and will greatly improve CRS' ability to support how we work today. I have advocated for a more modern CRS, and this measure fits into those efforts.

I thank the Modernization Subcommittee chairwoman Stephanie Bice for her leadership in bringing H.R. 7593 forward and more generally for her efforts to improve and modernize CRS. I also thank the Modernization Subcommittee ranking member, Derek Kilmer, as well as Representatives Carey and Morelle for their bipartisan support of this measure.

I urge my colleagues to join me in strengthening CRS by supporting H.R.
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Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I again thank the Modernization Subcommittee chairwoman, Stephanie Bice, for her leadership on this measure. I also thank Ranking Member Kilmer, as well as Representatives Carey and Morelle.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7593, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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