PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 442.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Jun 23, 2010
Authorizes the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, records, correspondence, memoranda, and other documents.
Requires the Commission, before issuing such a subpoena, to notify the Attorney General (or a designee) of the Commission's intent to issue a subpoena, the identity of the witness, and the nature of the testimony sought.
Prohibits the Commission from issuing a subpoena if the Attorney General objects on the basis that the taking of the testimony is likely to interfere with any: (1) federal or state criminal investigation or prosecution; or (2) pending investigation under the Civil False Claims Act or other federal statute providing for civil remedies, or any civil litigation to which the United States or any of its agencies is or is likely to be a party.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Requires the Commission, in the case of contumacy of any person issued a subpoena or refusal by such person to comply with the subpoena, to request the Attorney General to seek enforcement of the subpoena in any U.S. district court for a district in which a person issued a subpoena under this Act resides, is served, or may be found, or where the subpoena is returnable. Deems failure to obey an order requiring the subpoenaed person to appear at any designated place to testify or produce documentary or other evidence to be contempt of court.
People & committees
Rep. Capps, Lois [D-CA-23] · D–CA
Legislative record
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Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 442.
Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 - 1, 2 Present (Roll no. 382). (text: CR H4721)
House roll call 382 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 - 1, 2 Present (Roll no. 382).(text: CR H4721)
House roll call 382 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4727-4728)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5481.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4721-4727)
Mr. Rahall moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Referred to House Judiciary
Referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, 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 House Natural Resources
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.5481 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.
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