To modify the appointment process for the Librarian of Congress, the Comptroller General, and the Director of the Government Publishing Office, and for other purposes. | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 6517
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 6517Congress
To modify the appointment process for the Librarian of Congress, the Comptroller General, and the Director of the Government Publishing Office, and for other purposes.
INTRO DEC 9· LAST ACTION DEC 9
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
3
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care because this bill shifts significant power over key government positions from the President to Congress. The Librarian of Congress oversees a vast collection of knowledge, the Comptroller General acts as a government watchdog ensuring taxpayer money is spent wisely, and the Director of the Government Publishing Office makes sure official information is accessible. How these leaders are chosen can impact their independence and ability to perform their duties without political pressure.
If this bill becomes law, these officials would likely be more accountable to Congress and potentially more independent from the Executive Branch. If it doesn't pass, the President would continue to hold the primary authority for nominating these individuals, subject to Senate confirmation. This change could mean these crucial government functions are influenced more by legislative priorities and bipartisan agreement within Congress, rather than the agenda of a single presidential administration.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Changes the appointment process for the Librarian of Congress, Comptroller General, and Director of the Government Publishing Office. The Librarian and GPO Director would be selected by new congressional commissions, while the Comptroller General would be selected by a modified existing commission, with all three appointments ultimately approved by a concurrent resolution of both chambers.
This provision fundamentally alters who controls the appointment of these significant government roles, moving power from the Executive Branch to the Legislative Branch and defining how candidates are identified.
PROVISION 02
Establishes specific commissions for selecting the Librarian of Congress and Director of the Government Publishing Office, composed of key House and Senate leaders (Speaker, minority and majority leaders) and relevant committee members.
These newly created commissions ensure that the selection process for these two roles involves a bipartisan group of congressional leaders from the outset.
PROVISION 03
Sets a 10-year term for the Librarian of Congress and outlines a removal process for the Librarian and Director of the GPO requiring a three-fifths vote of both the House and Senate.
A fixed term can promote independence, while the high bar for removal aims to protect officials from purely political dismissals.
PROVISION 04
Repeals the Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015.
This ensures that the new appointment process for the Librarian of Congress takes precedence over previous legislation.
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED DEC 9, 2025
House BillHR 6517Congress
To modify the appointment process for the Librarian of Congress, the Comptroller General, and the Director of the Government Publishing Office, and for other purposes.
Voters should care because this bill shifts significant power over key government positions from the President to Congress. The Librarian of Congress oversees a vast collection of knowledge, the Comptroller General acts as a government watchdog ensuring taxpayer money is spent wisely, and the Director of the Government Publishing Office makes sure official information is accessible. How these leaders are chosen can impact their independence and ability to perform their duties without political pressure.
If this bill becomes law, these officials would likely be more accountable to Congress and potentially more independent from the Executive Branch. If it doesn't pass, the President would continue to hold the primary authority for nominating these individuals, subject to Senate confirmation. This change could mean these crucial government functions are influenced more by legislative priorities and bipartisan agreement within Congress, rather than the agenda of a single presidential administration.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Changes the appointment process for the Librarian of Congress, Comptroller General, and Director of the Government Publishing Office. The Librarian and GPO Director would be selected by new congressional commissions, while the Comptroller General would be selected by a modified existing commission, with all three appointments ultimately approved by a concurrent resolution of both chambers.
This provision fundamentally alters who controls the appointment of these significant government roles, moving power from the Executive Branch to the Legislative Branch and defining how candidates are identified.
med
Establishes specific commissions for selecting the Librarian of Congress and Director of the Government Publishing Office, composed of key House and Senate leaders (Speaker, minority and majority leaders) and relevant committee members.
These newly created commissions ensure that the selection process for these two roles involves a bipartisan group of congressional leaders from the outset.
high
Sets a 10-year term for the Librarian of Congress and outlines a removal process for the Librarian and Director of the GPO requiring a three-fifths vote of both the House and Senate.
A fixed term can promote independence, while the high bar for removal aims to protect officials from purely political dismissals.
low
Repeals the Librarian of Congress Succession Modernization Act of 2015.
This ensures that the new appointment process for the Librarian of Congress takes precedence over previous legislation.
GLOSSARY
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Concurrent Resolution
A measure adopted by both the House and Senate that does not require the President's signature and does not become law. It's often used for internal congressional matters or to express the opinion of Congress.
Librarian of Congress
The head of the Library of Congress, the national library of the United States and the oldest federal cultural institution.
Comptroller General
The head of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent agency that audits federal spending and provides oversight of government programs.
Director of the Government Publishing Office
The head of the agency responsible for publishing, printing, and distributing information products and services for all three branches of the federal government.
Commission
A group of people officially appointed to investigate a particular issue or to perform a specific function, in this case, recommending candidates for an office.
Speaker of the House
The presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives and the leader of the majority party in the House.
Minority Leader
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
DEC 9, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
DEC 9, 25
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
