PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.5101 / 108th Congress

Democracy in Congress Act of 2004

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 15, 2004

Democracy in Congress Act of 2004 - Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to address: (1) same-day consideration of Rules Committee reports; (2) maximum voting time; (3) late night voting; (4) restrictive rule limitations from the Committee on Rules; (5) two-thirds voting requirements for certain waivers and for the availability of certain measures on the Internet; (6) composition and subpoena authority of the Committee on House Administration; (7) control of the Committee on Government Reform; and (8) Conference Committee disclosure requirements.

Creates a bipartisan Commission to assess the extent to which the House has upheld its constitutional responsibility to oversee the executive branch and to suggest improvements to the oversight process.

Amends the Federal criminal code to extend certain post-employment lobbying restrictions on former Members of Congress.

Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.

Read full official summaryShow less

Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to require specified disclosures and the creation of a free and publicly accessible database on the Internet that includes information contained in registrations and reports filed under that Act.

Amends the Federal criminal code to reform the waiver process for acts affecting a personal financial interest.

Amends the Code of Official Conduct set forth in House Rules to require the public disclosure of negotiations for prospective employment by Members of Congress if a conflict of interest or the appearance of such a conflict may exist.

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. Meehan, Martin T. [D-MA-5] · D–MA

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
  • Committee on House Administration
  • Ethics Committee
  • Rules Committee
0 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. Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

    2. Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Standards of Official Conduct, and House Administration, 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.

    3. Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Standards of Official Conduct, and House Administration, 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.

    4. Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Standards of Official Conduct, and House Administration, 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.

    5. Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Standards of Official Conduct, and House Administration, 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.

    6. Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Standards of Official Conduct, and House Administration, 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.

    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: Aug 18, 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.5101 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.5101 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.5101 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.5101 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