Burgess and Davis Work to Hold Agencies Accountable

Press Release

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) and Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) introduced the Response from Executive Agencies to Congress on Time (REACT) Act to require executive agencies to respond to inquiries from lawmakers in a timely manner.

"When other Members of Congress or I reach out to federal agencies, we should not receive an "out of office' or be left wondering when we will be able to provide a response to our constituents," said Congressman Burgess. "This legislation will provide members a tool to be able to receive a timely response and better serve our communities. Bureaucrats must understand they are responsible to the people's elected representatives. By expanding the "rule of seven' in the House or "the rule of five' in the Senate, every member will have the ability to receive the answers they seek."

"Oversight of the executive branch is a central activity of the legislative branch," said Congressman Davis. "This legislation will strengthen the ability of legislators within the minority party with expertise in specific policy areas to conduct oversight of the executive branch."

The REACT Act will:

* Expand to all congressional authorizing committees the authority of "the rule of seven" in the House or "the rule of five" in the Senate that currently allows any seven or five members of the House or Senate Oversight Committees, respectively, to request a timely response from executive agencies.
* Give executive agencies 45 days to respond to a request for information from any 7 or 5 members of the House or Senate authorizing committees, respectively.
* Clarify that any seven or five members of the House and Senate, respectively, have a cause of action in the appropriate district court.

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