To modify the appointment process for the Librarian of Congress, the Comptroller General, and the Director of the Government Publishing Office, and for other purposes.
To modify the appointment process for the Librarian of Congress, the Comptroller General, and the Director of the Government Publishing Office, and for other purposes.
Plain Language Summary
# HR 6517 Summary **What the Bill Does:** HR 6517 would shift control of three major federal positions from the President to Congress. Instead of the President appointing the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the Government Publishing Office (GPO), and the Comptroller General—with Senate approval—Congress would directly appoint these officials through a bipartisan congressional commission and a vote. Additionally, removing these officials would require a three-fifths supermajority vote in both chambers of Congress, making it much harder to fire them than under current rules. **Who It Affects:** This bill would affect the three leadership positions themselves, Congress (which would gain appointment power), and the President (whose appointment authority would be reduced).
Indirectly, it impacts the public, as these agencies oversee the Library of Congress, government printing services, and federal spending accountability. **Current Status:** HR 6517 is currently in committee and has not yet been brought to a full floor vote. The bill was introduced by Representative Ed Case (D-Hawaii) in the 119th Congress.
CRS Official Summary
This bill revises the procedures for appointing and removing the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the Government Publishing Office (GPO), and the Comptroller General by giving Congress the sole authority to appoint and remove these positions.Specifically, the bill requires the Librarian and the Director of GPO to each be selected by a bipartisan congressional commission (as established by the bill) and appointed by Congress through the adoption of a concurrent resolution. (Currently, these positions are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.) The Librarian and the Director of GPO may only be removed from office by an affirmative three-fifths vote in each chamber.Additionally, the bill revises the appointment process for the Comptroller General. (Currently, the Comptroller General is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. A bipartisan congressional commission recommends at least three individuals to the President, who may ask the commission to recommend additional individuals.) This bill instead requires the bipartisan congressional commission to recommend one individual to Congress, and Congress may ask the commission to recommend additional individuals. Congress must then appoint the selected individual through the adoption of a concurrent resolution. Further, the bill revises the removal process for the Comptroller General. (Currently, the Comptroller General may be removed from office by impeachment or by joint resolution of Congress.) This bill changes the removal process so the individual may only be removed by impeachment or by concurrent (instead of joint) resolution of Congress.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.