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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Bill text & related measures
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
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.