The Well-Informed, Scientific, & Efficient Government Act of 2025 seeks to improve Federal agencies' access to scientific literature and other subscription services. A key provision prohibits agency heads from entering into journal subscription contracts that include nondisclosure provisions regarding the cost of the subscription to other agencies or the Library of Congress, promoting greater transparency in federal spending on these resources. Additionally, the bill mandates that within six months, each agency's library must make its policies and procedures for employee access to subscriptions easily and clearly available, including for regional employees, typically through the intranet. This ensures that all federal employees can effectively utilize the scientific and research materials subscribed to by their agencies. Within one year, the Administrator of General Services, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, must submit a comprehensive report to Congress. This report will include a survey of subscription costs, identify issues hindering agency access to scientific serials, and provide recommendations for both short-term and long-term solutions, potentially exploring new purchasing models and greater interagency transparency .
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Government Operations and Politics
Congressional oversightGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment information and archivesIntergovernmental relationsLibrary of CongressPublic contracts and procurementScientific communication
WISE Government Act
USA119th CongressHR-1247| House
| Updated: 2/12/2025
The Well-Informed, Scientific, & Efficient Government Act of 2025 seeks to improve Federal agencies' access to scientific literature and other subscription services. A key provision prohibits agency heads from entering into journal subscription contracts that include nondisclosure provisions regarding the cost of the subscription to other agencies or the Library of Congress, promoting greater transparency in federal spending on these resources. Additionally, the bill mandates that within six months, each agency's library must make its policies and procedures for employee access to subscriptions easily and clearly available, including for regional employees, typically through the intranet. This ensures that all federal employees can effectively utilize the scientific and research materials subscribed to by their agencies. Within one year, the Administrator of General Services, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, must submit a comprehensive report to Congress. This report will include a survey of subscription costs, identify issues hindering agency access to scientific serials, and provide recommendations for both short-term and long-term solutions, potentially exploring new purchasing models and greater interagency transparency .
Congressional oversightGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment information and archivesIntergovernmental relationsLibrary of CongressPublic contracts and procurementScientific communication