Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress Sunset Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]
- Committees
- Committee on House Administration (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 15, 2026
Bottom line
The bill abolishes a specific advisory committee on congressional records while implementing new reporting and review mechanisms to ensure continued oversight of records management.
What it actually does
This bill sunsets the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress by repealing its authorizing chapter in Title 44 of the U.S. Code, effective 60 days after enactment. Concurrently, it establishes new requirements for the Director of the Center for Legislative Archives to submit annual reports on congressional records management to key officials and committees. It also mandates regular review meetings among the Archivist of the United States, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Clerk of the House to discuss records preservation.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress may have become redundant or inefficient, and that its functions can be more effectively integrated into existing governmental structures. They contend that the new reporting and review requirements will ensure continued, perhaps even enhanced, accountability and oversight of congressional records management without the overhead of a separate committee, leading to streamlined operations and potential cost savings.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that abolishing the Advisory Committee removes a valuable independent body that provides specialized expertise and an external perspective on the complex challenges of preserving congressional records. They could contend that while new reporting and review mechanisms are useful, they do not fully replace the strategic guidance and dedicated focus that an independent advisory committee offers, potentially leading to a diminished quality of advice or oversight.
The bill is exceptionally short and clear, making it very accessible for a quick and thorough understanding of its provisions and implications.
Section 2(a)
Sunset of Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress
This provision eliminates the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress by striking Chapter 27 from Title 44 of the United States Code. This action will take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted into law, meaning the committee will cease to exist and its statutory authority will be removed from federal law.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that the committee may have become redundant, inefficient, or that its functions can be better integrated into existing governmental structures, leading to cost savings and streamlined operations without compromising records preservation.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that the committee provides valuable independent expertise and a dedicated forum for discussing the unique challenges of preserving congressional records, and its abolition could lead to a loss of specialized, external guidance.
Tradeoffs
The tradeoff is between maintaining a dedicated, potentially independent advisory body with specialized expertise versus achieving administrative efficiency and relying on internal agency expertise and new reporting mechanisms for records oversight.
Section 2(b)
Annual Report on Records Management
This provision mandates that the Director of the Center for Legislative Archives of the National Archives submit an annual report on the management and preservation of congressional records. This report is to be delivered to the Archivist of the United States, the Secretary of the Senate, the Clerk of the House, and relevant committees in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Section 2(c)
Mandated Review Meetings on Records Management
This provision requires the Archivist of the United States, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Clerk of the House to meet periodically to review the management and preservation of congressional records. These meetings are mandated to occur within 60 days after the Director submits an annual report, and also within 180 days after a new individual assumes the duties of Archivist, Secretary, or Clerk.