Reps Ramirez, Lee, Frost Introduce Legislation to Ensure Congress’ Constitutional Duty to Conduct Oversight of the Executive Branch

Chicago, IL— Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), member of the Homeland Security Committee, joined  Representatives Summer L. Lee (PA-12) and Maxwell Frost (FL-10) to introduce the Congressional Oversight Access Act. The timely legislation would protect Members of Congress from violence, obstruction, and retaliation when conducting oversight of the executive branch. The bill comes in response to recent disturbing incidents where Members of Congress, including Rep. LaMonica McIver and Senator Alex Padilla, were arrested while performing their constitutional oversight duties, and other members suffered obstructions by ICE agents. 

On June 18, Congresswoman Ramirez and members of the Illinois delegation, Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), and Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), were unlawfully denied entry to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Center in Broadview, Illinois. 

"As Members of Congress, it is our Constitutional obligation to conduct oversight and ensure the Executive Branch is held accountable for their actions, especially actions we fund through appropriations. Yet, the Administration has not only broken the law by obstructing our ability to do our job, they have persecuted those who dared to fulfill their constitutional oath," said Congresswoman Ramirez. "It goes without saying that the Administration must ensure Members of Congress can safely execute the duties of our positions, whether we are conducting oversight of an ICE detention facility or federal offices. That is why I am joining my colleague Congresswoman Summer Lee to introduce the Congressional Oversight Access Act, to remind the Administration that they will not deter us from our duty through bullying and intimidation." 

“It is not only our right but our constitutional duty as Members of Congress to conduct oversight of the executive branch—whether that’s a federal prison, an ICE facility, or any agency receiving public funds,” said Rep. Lee. “When Members are met with force, arrests, or retaliation for fulfilling that responsibility, it represents a dangerous abuse of power and a direct threat to our democratic institutions. These attempts to silence us, to make examples out of Members like Rep. LaMonica McIver, are meant to intimidate and suppress dissent, especially from younger, Black, and outspoken voices. But we will not normalize executive overreach, we will not stay silent in the face of injustice, and we will fight back every time, because our democracy depends on it.” 

"From immigration detention centers to federal agencies, Members of Congress have a duty and responsibility to oversee and conduct oversight across the government," said Rep. Maxwell Frost. "This is about ensuring our laws and human rights remain intact no matter who is sitting the in the Oval Office. Members will not be bullied or intimidated out of doing our jobs for the American people."  

The Congressional Oversight Access Act makes it illegal for executive branch officials to use force or obstruct a Member of Congress acting in their official oversight capacity. The bill explicitly defines protected oversight activities to include reviewing, monitoring, supervising, investigating, or visiting federal programs, facilities, or agencies to ensure compliance with laws, court orders, and the proper administration of federal policies.  Overview of the Congressional Oversight Access Act: 

• Protects     Members of Congress from the use of force,     arrest, or retaliation while conducting oversight in their official capacity. 
• Defines covered oversight activities to include investigations,     monitoring, visitation, and supervision of federal entities and operations. 
• Responds to recent incidents where Members were arrested or obstructed during lawful oversight. 
• Reasserts the constitutional role of Congress and the necessity of maintaining checks and balances between branches of government. 

The bill is cosponsored by Rep. Stephen Lynch (MA-8), Rep. Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-1), Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Rep. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1), Rep. Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Rep. Troy Carter (LA-2), Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-6), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8), Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-2), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Rep. Pablo José Hernández (PR-At-Large), Rep. Maxine Dexter (OR-7), Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-5), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35). 

 The bill is endorsed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and Public Citizen. 

For the full text of the bill, CLICK HERE.