Congressional Oversight Access Act

The Congressional Oversight Access Act is a bill that aims to protect Members of Congress from being physically interfered with while they are conducting oversight of the executive branch. It prohibits any officer, agent, contractor, or employee of the executive branch from using physical force, detaining, removing, or otherwise interfering with a Member of Congress who is performing a covered oversight activity, is recognizable as a Member (by ID or identification), and is on federally controlled property, as long as the Member does not pose a clear and imminent threat. The bill also clarifies that it does not override security screenings or responses to imminent threats. Key terms define what counts as a covered oversight activity and what constitutes federally controlled property. The sponsor and co-sponsors introduced the bill in the House on July 10, 2025, and it would apply to executive branch personnel, including contractors and employees, when they encounter Members of Congress during oversight proceedings on federal property.