Congressional Oversight and Agency Access Act

This bill aims to provide Members of Congress and their staff with broad access to federal public buildings, including contractor-owned and intergovernmental facilities. It mandates that Members and staff have access during regular business hours, provided they present proper congressional identification, and ensures immediate access during public meetings. For staff members, access is generally permitted only when accompanied by the employing Member of Congress. The bill also allows access during extenuating circumstances, overriding any restrictions imposed on the general public, and grants 24-hour access upon request within 24 hours.

For areas within public buildings requiring a security clearance, access is granted within 24 hours if the Member or staff has the appropriate clearance and the Member is on a congressional committee with jurisdiction over the applicable agency. If not on such a committee, consent from the Chair or Ranking Member of the relevant committee is required. The bill explicitly prohibits any temporary modifications to a building that would alter what a Member or staff member might observe, defining "access" as meaningful observation of all parts to satisfy constitutional oversight responsibilities.