Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act, which I have worked on along with my House Oversight and Reform Committee colleague, Congressman Mike Quigley. This bill will help modernize Congress and expand the legislative branch's oversight over the executive branch. Every year, Federal agencies prepare and submit thousands of in-depth reports to various congressional committees. These reports cover topics such as the implementation status of new agency programs or legal requirements in recently passed laws. They also cover the ongoing effort of the Federal Government to address waste, fraud, and abuse as well as policy priorities like our Nation's financial stability, cybersecurity, homeland security, and public health readiness. In short, congressionally mandated reports are a key part of how the United States Congress fulfills its Article I oversight duties over the executive branch. Beyond holding hearings and passing laws, the legislative branch mandates that executive branch agencies report to the House and Senate on their activities and compliance with the law. As representatives in the House, we have an obligation to the American people to maintain constant visibility into the executive branch. And congressionally mandated reports are one of our most useful, daily oversight tools. However, there is a problem. Congress lacks a central inventory of the reports we require Federal agencies to send us.…”