Bill aims to end blocked congressional access at federal buildings
House Democrats, led by Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), introduced the Congressional Oversight and Agency Access Act (H.R. 9835) on July 24, 2026, to mandate governmentwide rules for congressional visits to federal buildings, including contractor-operated facilities. The bill requires agencies to grant access during business hours and within 24 hours for secure areas, even during declared emergencies. It follows disputes over access to agencies like USAID and ICE detention centers, where a Trump administration policy requiring seven-day notice for oversight visits was temporarily blocked by a court. Beyer cited deliberate obstruction by the Trump administration. The bill is cosponsored by eight House Democrats and supported by the Project on Government Oversight.
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