Congressional Subpoena Compliance and Enforcement Act of 2017

Congressional Subpoena Compliance and Enforcement Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal judicial code to establish certain rules that apply in a civil action by the Senate, House of Representatives, or a congressional committee or subcommittee against an individual who receives, but fails to comply with, a congressional subpoena. Specifically, the rules:

• allow the action to be filed in a U.S. district court;
• require expedited disposition of the action and any appeals; and
• authorize court-imposed monetary penalties against the head of a government agency or component who willfully fails to comply with a congressional subpoena.

(Sec. 3) Additionally, the bill amends the Revised Statutes of the United States to establish requirements for the recipient of a subpoena from a congressional committee or subcommittee, including:

• to appear and testify or produce records—books, papers, documents, data, or other objects—in a manner consistent with the subpoena; and
• to provide a privilege log containing certain information about records that are withheld, such as the type of record and the legal basis for withholding it.