WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following repeated efforts by the Trump Administration to block Members of Congress from conducting oversight of federal agencies, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) joined Congressman Don Beyer (VA-08) to introduce the Congressional Oversight and Agency Access Act to ensure Members of Congress and accompanying staff can access federal buildings to carry out their constitutional oversight responsibilities without unnecessary obstruction or delay.
“The American people are demanding more transparency in government, yet this Administration continues to block information or provide sufficient details on its actions,” said Congresswoman Hayes. “Congressional oversight is essential to our democracy. This legislation is intended to ensure Congress can uphold our constitutional duty regardless of who is in the White House.”
“I have personally been denied access to USAID, the U.S. Institute of Peace, a public meeting at the Department of the Interior, and repeatedly delayed in conducting oversight at ICE facilities. All of these were clear examples of the Trump administration’s deliberate and repeated efforts to deny, delay, or obstruct Congressional oversight of the executive branch,” said Congressman Beyer. “That is not how our Constitution works. Congress has an obligation to oversee the agencies it funds and the laws it passes, and no administration should be able to obstruct that oversight because it finds it inconvenient or politically uncomfortable. Our bill makes clear that obstruction is not an option and ensures that no administration can shut Congress out again.”
The Congressional Oversight and Agency Access Act would establish clear statutory protections for congressional oversight by:
- Guaranteeing Members of Congress and accompanying congressional staff immediate access to federal buildings, including contractor-owned and operated facilities, during normal business hours for official oversight activities.
- Requiring agencies to provide Members and accompanying staff access to facilities outside of regular business hours within 24 hours after such a request is made.
- Preventing agencies from using declared national or public health emergencies as a pretext to deny congressional oversight when buildings remain operational.
- Establishing procedures for access to secure areas while respecting applicable security clearance requirements.
- Prohibiting agencies from altering facilities or conditions to conceal information or otherwise limit meaningful congressional oversight.
In February 2025, Congresswoman Hayes was locked out of the U.S. Department of Education despite showing congressional credentials. Immediately following the incident, Congresswoman Hayes introduced the All Access Act to guarantee Members of Congress are allowed access to federal buildings. Together, the All Access Act and the Congressional Oversight and Agency Access Act, aim to ensure Congress can appropriately conduct oversight over the Executive Branch.
This legislation is endorsed by the Project on Government Oversight (POGO).
“Congress cannot fulfill its constitutional oversight responsibilities if Members of Congress are denied access to the very agencies they are charged with overseeing. The Congressional Oversight and Agency Access Act reaffirms Congress’ authority to conduct meaningful oversight and helps ensure transparency and accountability across the executive branch,” said the Project on Government Oversight (POGO).
Full text of the Congressional Oversight and Agency Access Act can be found here.