IG Testimonial Subpoena Authority Act

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-513.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 24, 2021

IG Testimonial Subpoena Authority Act

This bill gives inspectors general the authority to subpoena the in-person attendance and testimony of witnesses. If a witness refuses to obey, inspectors general may seek to enforce the subpoena in U.S. district court.

Inspectors general must notify the Department of Justice seven days before issuing a subpoena.

The Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall promulgate standards and provide training relating to the issuance of subpoenas, conflicts of interest, and any other matter deemed necessary to carry out this bill.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH] · D–NH

Committees

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

Legislative record

Actions

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

Oct 21, 2021
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-513.
May 24, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
May 24, 2021
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in Senate · May 24, 2021 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: May 30, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.1794 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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Discuss S.1794, 117th Congress: IG Testimonial Subpoena Authority Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1794

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2021-05-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/s1794/BILLS-117s1794is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-05-30T10:56:39Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.1794 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.1794 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

Discuss S.1794, 117th Congress: IG Testimonial Subpoena Authority Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1794

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2021-05-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/s1794/BILLS-117s1794is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-05-30T10:56:39Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1794 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.1794 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

Discuss S.1794, 117th Congress: IG Testimonial Subpoena Authority Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1794

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2021-05-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/s1794/BILLS-117s1794is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-05-30T10:56:39Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1794 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.1794 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

Discuss S.1794, 117th Congress: IG Testimonial Subpoena Authority Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1794

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2021-05-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/s1794/BILLS-117s1794is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-05-30T10:56:39Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1794 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.