Overview

Title

To provide Members of Congress access to Federal buildings, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

H. R. 1251 is a rule that lets Members of Congress enter government buildings if they show their special ID, like a pass, but they need to tell someone in charge ahead of time if they're coming when the building is normally closed.

Summary AI

H. R. 1251, titled the "All Access Act of 2025," aims to ensure that Members of Congress can access federal buildings by showing proper identification from their respective chambers. This access applies during regular business hours, and outside these hours, Members must notify the building's head 12 hours in advance. The bill defines "Member of Congress" as a Member of the House of Representatives or a Senator, and "public building" according to existing U.S. Code.

Published

2025-02-12
Congress: 119
Session: 1
Chamber: HOUSE
Status: Introduced in House
Date: 2025-02-12
Package ID: BILLS-119hr1251ih

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
540
Pages:
3
Sentences:
10

Language

Nouns: 208
Verbs: 18
Adjectives: 16
Adverbs: 1
Numbers: 14
Entities: 95

Complexity

Average Token Length:
3.70
Average Sentence Length:
54.00
Token Entropy:
4.47
Readability (ARI):
26.09

AnalysisAI

Summary of the Bill

The "All Access Act of 2025" is a legislative proposal aiming to grant Members of Congress the ability to access federal buildings conveniently. The core section of the bill permits both Senators and Representatives to gain entry to any public building by showing identification provided by their respective legislative offices. This access is stipulated to occur during regular business hours, or outside those hours with at least 12 hours’ notice to the building's management.

Summary of Significant Issues

There are several notable issues within the bill's framework:

  1. Identification Requirements: The bill does not define what constitutes valid identification, leading to potential inconsistencies in access policies across various federal buildings. This lack of clarity might result in security discrepancies.

  2. Notification Protocols: The requirement for a 12-hour advance notice for access outside business hours doesn’t account for unforeseen circumstances where such notice is not feasible. This rigidity could hinder the intended access privileges for Members of Congress.

  3. External Reference to "Public Building": By relying on the definition of "public building" from another legal statute, there is potential for changes in that definition to inadvertently affect this bill’s applicability. This could create inconsistencies or confusion over time.

  4. Security and Privacy Concerns: There are no provisions in the bill for addressing security or privacy issues that may arise from after-hours access by Members of Congress, posing potential risks.

  5. Emergency Access Missing: The bill lacks guidelines for emergency situations where immediate access to federal buildings may be necessary, which could be a significant oversight in cases where timely action is critical.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

The bill, while seemingly straightforward in its intent to facilitate Members of Congress in performing their duties, carries implications for both security and operational procedures across federal buildings.

  • Publicly: The bill could improve responsiveness and oversight by allowing Congress members easier access to federal spaces, theoretically enhancing their ability to perform oversight roles which, in turn, might benefit the public. However, there could be concerns about security, especially regarding after-hours access.

  • Specifically for Congress Members: The bill eases logistical challenges for Congress members, allowing them to fulfill their duties with greater ease. However, the restrictive protocols around notifying building authorities and the lack of emergency provisions may pose operational challenges.

  • For Federal Building Administrators: Administrators might face challenges balancing access for Congress members with maintaining building security and managing operational hours. Clear guidelines and an understanding of identification and notification requirements are necessary for consistent application of the bill’s provisions.

Overall, while the bill seeks to enhance congressional efficiency and access, the outlined issues suggest the need for refinement to address identification standards, emergency protocols, and the potential impact of external statutory changes. Ensuring these elements are clearly defined will be essential to balance access with security and operational integrity.

Issues

  • The section on 'Access to Federal buildings' does not specify what constitutes valid identification for access, potentially causing issues with varying interpretations by different federal buildings and impacting security protocols. (§ 2)

  • There is a lack of clarity about the consequences if a Member of Congress fails to notify the head of the entity within the specified 12-hour window due to unforeseen circumstances, which could impede the intended access rights. (§ 2)

  • The term 'public building' relies on an external statute definition from section 3301 of title 40, United States Code, which may change independently and lead to inconsistencies or confusion about which buildings are included. (§ 2)

  • The bill does not address security or privacy concerns related to Members of Congress accessing federal buildings during non-regular business hours, potentially posing security risks. (§ 2)

  • There is no provision outlined for emergency access to federal buildings by Members of Congress, which may be a concern in urgent situations where timely access is critical. (§ 2)

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The opening section of this bill states that it can be referred to as the "All Access Act of 2025".

2. Access to Federal buildings Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

Members of Congress are allowed to enter any public building by showing ID issued by their respective legislative body. This access is granted during regular business hours, or outside those hours if they notify the building's head at least 12 hours in advance.