Transparency in Congress Resolution of 2023

Bill: 118-sconres-17
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2023-07-25
Policy area: Congress
Latest action: action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text: CR S3527-3528)

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-07-25
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <html><body bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p><b>Transparency in Congress Resolution of 2023</b></p> <p>This concurrent resolution requires each Member of Congress to publish a monthly schedule of official meetings and floor activity of the Member during the preceding month. These public schedules need not include personal or campaign meetings or events, meetings with congressional staff, or meetings or events at which the Member is not appearing in an official capacity.</p></body></html>

tv_txt: III 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. CON. RES. 17 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 25, 2023 Mr. Tester (for himself and Mr. Kelly ) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Requiring all Members of Congress to publish a public schedule.

1. Short title This resolution may be cited as the Transparency in Congress Resolution of 2023 . 2. Publication of public schedule (a) Definitions In this section— (1) the term disclosure has the meaning given that term in section 2302(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code; (2) the term Member of Congress has the meaning given that term in section 2106 of title 5, United States Code, except that such term does not include the Vice President; and (3) the term public schedule means the public schedule of a Member of Congress required to be published under subsection (b)(1). (b) Requirement (1) In general Not later than the last day of each month, each Member of Congress shall publish a public schedule of the Member of Congress for the preceding month that includes the following: (A) A daily calendar of— (i) each hearing, meeting, or event attended by the Member of Congress during the month, either in person or by teleconference or other electronic means, at which the Member of Congress appears in his or her official capacity; and (ii) the floor activity of the Member of Congress during the month. (B) For each meeting or event described in subparagraph (A), if known by the Member of Congress— (i) a general description of the individuals, entities, or organizations participating in the meeting or event; or (ii) a general description of the meeting or event. (2) Exclusions A public schedule is not required to include— (A) personal or campaign meetings or events; (B) meetings or events with congressional staff; or (C) meetings or events at which the Member of Congress is not appearing in an official capacity. (c) Information not disclosed A Member of Congress may determine to not disclose in a public schedule the following information: (1) Any information— (A) that implicates personal privacy or law enforcement concerns; (B) that implicates the personal safety of congressional staff (including the time of the arrival or departure of congressional staff from their duty station); or (C) the release or disclosure of which would cause a threat to national security interests or reveal information that is confidential or classified. (2) Information related to particularly sensitive meetings, including a meeting with an anonymous or confidential whistleblower. (d) Availability (1) In general For each Congress and as required under subsection (b)(1), a Member of Congress shall make each monthly public schedule of the Member of Congress publicly available on the website of the Member of Congress at least until the date that is 30 days after— (A) the last day of the Congress; or (B) in the case of a Member of Congress whose service as a Member of Congress ends before the last day of the Congress, the last day of such service. (e) Ethics implementation and guidance The Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate and the Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives— (1) shall have authority to implement this resolution with respect to Members of Congress of the applicable House; and (2) may issue guidance as needed to implement this resolution. (f) Effective date A Member of Congress shall make available the public schedule of the Member of Congress in accordance with this section for each day on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of adoption of this resolution.