All Access Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1251
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-13: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H692)
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-30T19:21:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "All Access Act of 2025" (H.R. 1251) aims to ensure that Members of Congress can enter federal buildings to perform their duties, promoting oversight and access to government facilities without unnecessary barriers.
Key Provisions
- Access Rights: Any Member of Congress (a representative in the House or a senator) must be granted entry to a "public building" upon presenting official identification issued by their chamber's Clerk or Sergeant at Arms (for House members) or Secretary or Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper (for senators). A "public building" refers to any structure owned, leased, or managed by the federal government for official use, as defined under U.S. law (40 U.S.C. § 3301).
- Timing of Access:
- During regular business hours, access is automatic with valid ID.
- Outside regular hours, the member must notify the head of the relevant federal entity (e.g., agency or department) at least 12 hours in advance.
- Scope: The law applies to all such public buildings nationwide.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a statutory right of access for Congress members that was not explicitly guaranteed before, potentially overriding or supplementing current security protocols managed by agencies like the General Services Administration (GSA) or building-specific rules. It does not amend existing security laws directly but mandates compliance, which could require updates to federal building access policies.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal agencies and building managers may face increased demands for access, leading to streamlined congressional oversight (e.g., investigations or site visits) but potential challenges in maintaining security protocols, such as background checks or emergency restrictions.
- On Citizens: Indirect benefits through enhanced congressional accountability of government operations, which could improve transparency and responsiveness to public concerns without directly affecting individual citizens' access rights.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic federal buildings and does not address foreign entities or international facilities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Members of Congress: Primary beneficiaries, gaining formalized entry rights to conduct legislative work.
- Federal Agencies and Building Operators: Including the GSA and department heads, who must accommodate access and handle notifications, potentially increasing administrative burdens.
- Security and Law Enforcement Personnel: Such as federal protective services, who may need to adjust protocols to comply without compromising safety.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill could lead to conflicts with existing federal security statutes (e.g., those under the Department of Homeland Security) if access requests interfere with classified areas or high-threat situations; courts might need to resolve disputes over "public buildings" that house sensitive information.
- Constitutional: Reinforces Congress's oversight role under Article I of the U.S. Constitution (legislative powers), supporting separation of powers by ensuring lawmakers can monitor executive branch activities, though it raises questions about balancing access with executive security prerogatives.
- Political: As a bipartisan-introduced bill (though primarily by Democratic members), it may spark debates on congressional privileges versus national security, potentially influencing future legislation on government transparency.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (51)
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Turner, Sylvester [D-TX-18], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13] and 1 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-13: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H692)
- 2025-02-12: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-02-12: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-02-12: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- All Access Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-12 — PDF (3 pages)