Overview
Title
To provide the Congressional Budget Office with necessary authorities to expedite the sharing of data from executive branch agencies, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
Imagine the CBO needs to look at reports to help understand how the government is spending money. This bill wants to make it easier for them to get those reports quickly from other parts of the government.
Summary AI
H. R. 7184 is a bill intended to enhance the ability of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to access data from executive branch agencies more quickly and efficiently. It aims to amend the Privacy Act of 1974 by allowing the Director of the CBO to receive necessary information while performing the agency's duties. The bill emphasizes the importance of the CBO having timely access to federal agency information to better perform its budgetary and oversight functions.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
House Bill H.R. 7184, introduced in the 118th Congress on February 1, 2024, seeks to enhance the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) ability to access information from executive branch agencies. The bill makes amendments to the Privacy Act of 1974, allowing the CBO’s Director, or an authorized representative, to obtain federal agency information as part of their duties. The intended goal is to streamline data sharing between the executive branch and the CBO, presumably to improve the CBO’s analytical and reporting capabilities.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several issues arise from this bill. Primarily, there is a potential concern about privacy implications. The amendment seemingly broadens the CBO's access to federal agency information, yet it does not specify safeguards or limitations on personal data. This raises questions about how individual privacy will be protected under this new provision. Another point of concern is the ambiguity regarding the CBO’s specific duties that justify this enhanced access. Without clarity on the scope of duties, it is uncertain which kinds of data might be shared and for what purposes.
Public Impact
Broadly, the public might experience both positive and negative impacts from this legislative change. On one hand, by providing the CBO with expedited access to data, there could be improvements in the quality and timeliness of economic analyses and reports produced by the CBO. This could enhance legislative decision-making, potentially benefiting the public through more informed policy choices.
On the other hand, the expansion of access to federal agency information could lead to privacy concerns among the public. If personal data protections are not robustly addressed, there might be apprehension regarding how personal information is handled and shared. Public trust in both government agencies and the CBO could be affected if safeguards are not transparently communicated.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For government stakeholders, particularly those within the CBO and executive branch agencies, the bill could foster a more efficient workflow by reducing bureaucratic barriers to information exchange. This could enhance the accuracy and scope of the CBO’s analyses, which are critical when evaluating the fiscal implications of proposed legislation.
However, privacy advocates and civil liberties organizations may view this bill with skepticism. The extension of data-sharing permissions without detailed limitations or safeguards can be perceived as a potential intrusion into personal privacy. These stakeholders might advocate for greater transparency and the implementation of clear restrictions to prevent misuse of sensitive information.
In summary, while H.R. 7184 aims to facilitate better cooperation between federal entities for potentially improved fiscal policymaking, it also poses challenges that need to be carefully considered to balance the need for information with the obligation to protect individual privacy rights.
Issues
There is a potential concern about the privacy implications of sharing federal agency information with the Congressional Budget Office. The amendment to the Privacy Act of 1974 under Section 2 suggests wider access without detailing safeguards or limitations, raising issues about personal data protections.
The text in Section 2 lacks clarity regarding the specific duties of the Congressional Budget Office that necessitate access to federal agency information. This ambiguity could lead to uncertainty about the scope of information disclosure and accountability mechanisms.
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 first section of the bill states that the Act will be officially known as the “Congressional Budget Office Data Access Act.”
2. Conditions of Disclosure for Federal Agency Information with the Congressional Budget Office Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines changes to the Privacy Act of 1974, allowing the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, or an authorized representative, to access certain federal agency information as part of their duties. This involves redesignating existing paragraphs and adding a new permission for such disclosures.