Comment Integrity and Management Act of 2024

Floor Speech

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Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kansas for yielding. I appreciate the commentary of my friend and colleague, the ranking member of the Oversight and Accountability Committee, Representative Raskin.

It may interest you to know, Mr. Speaker, that Representative Raskin and I have worked in the spirit of mutual respect and camaraderie for 8 years now. We have enjoyed many vigorous debates in this body, and I find it encouraging that he has risen enthusiastically now twice in support of my bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7528, the Comment Integrity and Management Act. This bill is essential in the digital age where our constituents engage with us more and more through electronic means. It seeks to safeguard citizens' First Amendment right to participate in the Federal rulemaking process.

This participation includes the invaluable process of submitting public comments on proposed Federal rules and regulations, comments that help shape the very fabric of our government.

With the advent of digital technology and the rise of artificial intelligence being of increasing import, the channels for such participation have expanded providing broader access but also introducing new challenges. These challenges include computer-generated comments which can obscure genuine public input and hinder our agencies' ability to gauge public sentiment effectively.

The cornerstone of this bill is its commitment to ensuring that every comment submitted by electronic means comes from a real person, not an automated program. By requiring human verification, we are taking a significant step towards preserving the authenticity of public input.

Furthermore, the Comment Integrity and Management Act equips our agencies with the flexibility and tools necessary to efficiently manage the comments they receive. This includes the authority to identify and process computer-generated and mass comments, ensuring that they are handled transparently and effectively.

Additionally, the legislation directs the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance on best practices for managing electronic comments and mandates a report for the United States Government Accountability Office on the prevalence and impact of computer- generated comments.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to recognize the importance of adapting our processes to the realities of the 21st century. It is imperative that we ensure every American is heard and that genuine public input is not drowned out by the noise of automation.

This bill represents a good government approach to embracing technological advancements while safeguarding the principles of public participation and transparency in the rulemaking process.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to salute the distinguished gentleman from Louisiana for making the administrative rulemaking process up-to-date, rapid, transparent, and effective for all of us so we can keep it going.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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