A bill to amend title 3, United States Code, to prescribe a process to authorize certain activities at the Executive Residence at the White House, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- S. 4486
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-12: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 408.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-21T20:26:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill (S. 4486) amends Section 105 of title 3, United States Code, to establish a formal congressional review process for authorizing certain activities or improvements at the Executive Residence (the private living quarters of the White House) that cost more than $1,000,000 in total funding.
Key Provisions
- Submission Requirement: The President must submit a detailed description of any proposed activity or improvement exceeding $1 million (including changes to previously approved ones) to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Information Provided: Submissions must include all necessary details for committee review, including classified information if needed, as determined by the committee chairmen.
- Authorization Process: The activity is authorized once each chairman publishes a statement in the Congressional Record confirming receipt and review of the submission.
- Semiannual Reporting: The President (or designee) must submit progress reports to the chairmen by June 1 and December 1 each year, covering all authorized activities and including full details plus expected milestones.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new subsection (f) to Section 105 of title 3, U.S. Code, which previously lacked this specific oversight mechanism for high-cost Executive Residence projects.
- Introduces mandatory congressional notification, review, and reporting before and during execution, shifting from potential unilateral executive discretion.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases administrative burden on the White House for documentation and reporting; enhances transparency for congressional committees.
- On Citizens: Provides greater public accountability for taxpayer-funded White House residence projects through Congressional Record publications and reports.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could indirectly affect White House operations visible to foreign dignitaries.
Main Stakeholders
- President and White House Staff: Required to submit proposals and reports, potentially delaying projects.
- Congressional Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee gain review authority via their chairmen.
- Taxpayers: Indirectly benefit from oversight of federal spending.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Oversight Balance: Strengthens congressional check on executive spending without prohibiting activities, aligning with constitutional spending powers (Article I) while respecting executive operations (Article II).
- Transparency: Mandates public documentation in the Congressional Record, promoting accountability but possibly exposing sensitive details.
- Political Dynamics: Could lead to partisan delays if chairmen withhold statements; relies on committee leadership cooperation for smooth implementation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-12: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 408.
- 2026-05-11: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (consideration: CR S2204)
- 2026-05-11: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To amend title 3, United States Code, to prescribe a process to authorize certain activities at the Executive Residence at the White House, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-05-12 — PDF (4 pages)