Should it be Easier for Constituents to Authorize Their Reps’ Offices to Engage Federal Agencies on Their Behalf? (H.R. 3076)

What is H.R. 3076?

(Updated July 29, 2018)

This bill — known as the CASES Act — would allow constituents to submit an electronic release form to a congressional office they’re asking to engage a federal agency on their behalf. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) would establish a uniform release form to be used electronically by all federal agencies. Current law requires that such forms be submitted in paper.

The bill’s full title is the Creating Advanced Streamlined Electronic Services (CASES) for Constituents Act of 2017.

Argument in favor

In the 21st Century it doesn’t make sense to require constituents to submit a paper release form to authorize a congressional office to engage federal agencies on their behalf. Allowing electronic form submission would make the process easier for constituents.

Argument opposed

If constituents really need to have a congressional office talk to a federal agency on their behalf about an issue they’re experiencing they can take the time to print out a copy of the form, then scan, fax, or mail it to the member of Congress.

Impact

Constituents who need their members of Congress to talk to a federal agency on their behalf; congressional offices; OMB; and federal agencies.

Cost of H.R. 3076

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA) introduced the CASES Act to make it easier for constituents to authorize a congressional office to talk to a federal agency on their behalf about an issue the constituent is experiencing by making such forms available for electronic submission:

“After Louisiana’s historic flooding last fall, we were all-hands-on-deck to field thousands of calls from flood victims in need of help. It was embarrassing to have to have to tell people who literally just lost everything — including their printers and internet — that the law requires them to print and fax, scan, or mail in a sheet of paper authorizing us to speak to FEMA or any other agency before we could do anything. So, we immediately started efforts to identify the problem and how to fix it.”

This legislation passed the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee on a voice vote and has the support of 17 bipartisan cosponsors, including 13 Republicans and four Democrats.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA) Press Release