H.R.1251 - All Access Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1251, the All Access Act of 2025, aims to grant Members of Congress unrestricted access to federal buildings by presenting their official identification. The bill stipulates that access is guaranteed during regular business hours. Outside of these hours, members must notify the relevant entity head at least 12 hours in advance. The bill defines 'Member of Congress' and 'public building' using existing legal definitions.
Expected Effects
The bill would likely streamline access for Members of Congress to federal buildings, potentially improving their ability to conduct oversight and gather information. This could lead to more informed decision-making and potentially faster responses to constituent needs. However, it might also raise concerns about security and potential disruptions to the operations of federal agencies.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced oversight capabilities for Congress.
- Potentially faster response times to constituent issues.
- Improved access to information for legislative purposes.
- Streamlined processes for congressional inquiries.
- Could lead to more informed policy decisions.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential security risks due to increased access.
- Possible disruptions to federal agency operations.
- Increased administrative burden for managing access requests.
- Concerns about potential abuse of access privileges.
- Could strain relationships between Congress and federal agencies.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the principle of legislative oversight, which is implied in Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution, granting legislative powers to Congress. The ability of Congress to effectively legislate depends on its access to information and ability to oversee the executive branch. However, the Constitution does not explicitly guarantee access to federal buildings, leaving room for interpretation regarding the extent of such access.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).