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This bill — the Restoring Oversight for Members of Congress Act — would ensure members of Congress have access to all federal facilities, including those owned or controlled by the federal government, those under a contract or a lease and those at which operations are carried out under the federal government’s authority.

There would be an exception for national security reasons. Agencies, in coordination with the committees of jurisdiction, would be able to request to have a facility deemed “restricted” for national security reasons. If a member of Congress seeks access to a restricted facility, the agency and the committees of jurisdiction would work together to establish protocols for granting that member access.

This bill also establishes penalties for those who deny members of Congress access to federal facilities. These penalties would apply to agency heads and any individual or entity that enters a contract or lease with the federal government to operate a federal facility.

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Should Members of Congress Have Access to Federal Facilities (Like Detention Centers for Migrants)?