House Office of Legislative Counsel Modernization Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 9487) to amend the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to authorize the Legislative Counsel of the House of Representatives to designate more than one of the attorneys of the Office of the Legislative Counsel as a Deputy Legislative Counsel, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 9487

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``House Office of Legislative Counsel Modernization Act''. SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF MULTIPLE DEPUTY LEGISLATIVE COUNSELS.

(a) Designation.--Section 522(b)(1) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (2 U.S.C. 282a(b)(1)) is amended--

(1) by amending the first sentence to read as follows: ``The Legislative Counsel shall designate one or more of the attorneys appointed under subsection (a) as a Deputy Legislative Counsel.''; and

(2) in the second sentence, by striking ``the Deputy Legislative Counsel shall perform the functions of the Legislative Counsel.'' and inserting ``the functions of the Legislative Counsel shall be performed by a Deputy Legislative Counsel. If there is more than one Deputy Legislative Counsel, the Deputy Legislative Counsel who shall perform such functions shall be determined in accordance with the order specified in a notice filed with the Speaker and the Minority Leader of the House by the Legislative Counsel.''.

(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 522(b)(2) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 282a(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``Deputy Legislative Counsel'' and inserting ``Deputy Legislative Counsels''.

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Mr. STEIL. 9487, the House Office of Legislative Counsel Modernization Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 9487, the House Office of Legislative Counsel Modernization Act.

Originally called the Legislative Drafting Service, the Office of the Legislative Counsel has been providing legislative drafting services to the House for over 100 years. Since its inception, the office has helped countless Members of Congress turn their legislative ideas into thoughtful, meaningful bills and amendment text.

This legislation addresses a need raised by the Legislative Counsel team to help manage their team of experts. It would allow the designation of more than one Deputy Legislative Counsel to help manage their office. Passage would give the Legislative Counsel flexibility to meet staffing needs and handle vacancies as they arise.

This small change would allow the Legislative Counsel to name one deputy to fulfill leadership responsibilities for the office upon a vacancy or any other issue. A well-equipped Legislative Counsel Office helps us as Members deliver for our constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have worked with Ranking Member Morelle on this effort to assist our Legislative Counsel. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R.

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Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this piece of legislation. As my colleague said, it may be modest in scope, but sometimes you take a small step forward when you can get it.

I am appreciative of all those who work in the Legislative Counsel's Office. My colleague recognized a few by name, and I second that comment. I think it is important to recognize the hard work that goes on inside the Office of the Legislative Counsel. This opportunity to modernize it to allow it to operate a little more efficiently is well worth our support.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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