A bill to improve the Congressional Research Service's access to federal data was one of two bipartisan bills introduced Thursday in the House Administration Committee's latest subcommittee's first hike.
The Modernization Subcommittee unanimously approved the Congressional Research Service Data Access Modernization Act (HR 7593) by popular vote. It is intended to make it easier and faster for research institutions to obtain data from federal and administrative agencies. branch.
“While CRS's work is being hindered by bureaucratic processes and procedures, so are ours. That is unacceptable, and our constituents deserve better.” said Subcommittee Chair Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) in Markup.
CRS Interim Director Robert Newlen told the subcommittee during a March hearing that CRS has had difficulty obtaining information from government agencies and that the bill would address those “obstacles.” Ta.
The committee also advanced a bill by voice vote that would direct the Library of Congress to publish a digitally annotated Constitution instead of the paper version it is currently required to produce. Vice said he estimates he will save just over $1 million by eliminating the printing requirement.
Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), ranking member of the committee, noted that both bills respond to recommendations from the Congressional Modernization Select Committee, which pioneered the subcommittee's creation. .
These recommendations will require Congressional support agencies like CRS to report on challenges and potential solutions to accessing federal data, and will consider whether lawmakers should update the authority of these agencies. I'm looking for something.
In addition to being a milestone for the subcommittee, which was created last February, it was also the first markup vote for a House Administration subcommittee in 31 years, Biss said at the meeting. .
“We're trying to find ways to improve, certainly modernize Congress, but we're also looking at ways to just improve the process. I think these are two low-hanging fruit, simple wins that can make that happen.” Vice told FedScoop after the price increase.
The bill then goes to the full committee.