PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 574.
Congressional Research Service
Version 25 · Reported to Senate · Oct 19, 2020
Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Authorization Act
This bill makes changes to the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The bill expands the duties of the CRCL to include
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
integrating civil rights and civil liberties protections into all DHS programs and activities;
conducting civil rights and civil liberties impact assessments, including prior to the implementation of new DHS regulations, initiatives, programs, or policies;
initiating reviews, assessments, and investigations of the administration of DHS programs and activities;
leading the equal employment opportunity programs of DHS;
engaging with individuals and communities whose civil rights and civil liberties may be affected by DHS programs and activities; and
leading the Language Access Program to ensure that DHS can effectively communicate with individuals impacted by its programs and activities.
The bill requires each operational component of DHS to designate an Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to report to the CRCL.
The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on implementation of provisions regarding CRCL engagement with individuals and communities whose civil rights and civil liberties may be affected by DHS programs and activities.
People & committees
Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9] · D–TX
Legislative record
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Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 574.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-280.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-280.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H9373-9374)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H9373-9374)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4713.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9373-9376)
Ms. Slotkin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 242.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-300.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-300.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
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Analyze H.R.4713 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.
Examine H.R.4713 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.
Examine H.R.4713 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.
Examine H.R.4713 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.