House Administration committee adopts oversight plan for 119th Congress

The Committee on House Administration adopted its oversight authorization plan for the 119th Congress by voice vote during a brief business meeting, Mr. Murphy, chair of the Committee on House Administration, said.

The plan sets priorities for the committee’s jurisdiction over House operations, Capitol security and legislative-branch oversight, including a directive for a comprehensive review of House security and steps to strengthen inspectors general’ capacity to pursue waste, fraud and abuse.

“Ensuring the safety and security of our visitors, staff, and members on our campus is a top priority,” Mr. Murphy said in opening remarks, summarizing the plan’s headline goals. The plan also calls for improving member and campus security, increasing legislative-branch independence, capacity and efficiency, cutting costs, eliminating burdensome regulations, and promoting procurement of American-made goods and services across the legislative branch.

Committee members pointed to recent security incidents as part of the rationale for the emphasis on safety. Mr. Murphy said the committee had seen “critical breaches” that raised concerns about Capitol Police access to the campus and responses to threats, and noted threats to members off campus including swatting and cybersecurity incidents. The plan directs the House Sergeant at Arms to conduct a comprehensive review of House security, according to the text read into the record.

The oversight plan also includes administrative priorities: reestablishing regular budget hearings for legislative-branch entities, reviewing procurement guidelines used by the Chief Administrative Officer, and empowering legislative-branch inspectors general to better detect and pursue allegations of waste, fraud and abuse. The committee stated it would encourage use of emerging technologies to help House offices operate more efficiently.

Ranking Member Mr. Morelli, the committee’s top Democrat, praised the committee’s institutional staff and stressed bipartisan cooperation on oversight work. “I want to make sure these public servants who work so hard behind the scenes know that they are appreciated and valued here,” Mr. Morelli said.

Procedurally, the clerk reported Committee Resolution 119-9, the oversight authorization plan, and the committee dispensed with first reading and considered the resolution as read and open to amendment. No amendments were offered. The committee approved the resolution by voice vote; the chair announced, “in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.” A motion to reconsider was laid on the table and staff were authorized to make technical and conforming changes to the text.

The meeting concluded with the committee standing adjourned. The plan sets the committee’s oversight priorities for the 119th Congress; specific follow-up steps, timelines and any required hearings or votes on implementing measures were not specified at the meeting.