PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.2195 / 115th Congress

OSC Access Act

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 193.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 27, 2017

OSC Access Act

This bill expands the authority of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) by allowing it to: (1) have timely access to material available to an agency that relates to an investigation, review, or inquiry relating to whistle-blower allegations or prohibited personnel practices; (2) request from any agency the information or assistance that may be necessary for it to carry out its duties and responsibilities; and (3) require, during an investigation, review, or inquiry of an agency, the agency to provide it any record or other information related to an investigation, review, or inquiry.

A claim of common law privilege by an agency, or an officer or employee of an agency, shall not prevent the OSC from obtaining any material from such agency.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Blum, Rod [R-IA-1] · R–IA

Committees

  • Oversight and Government Reform Committee
5 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 193.

  2. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 115-268.

  3. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 115-268.

  4. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  5. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  6. Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

  7. Introduced in House

  8. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2195 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2195 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2195 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2195 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources