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H.R. 5481: To give subpoena power to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.

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H.R. 5481: To give subpoena power to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.

111th Congress · introduced 2010-06-08 · Energy · Latest: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 442.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2010-06-08 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Capps, Lois [D-CA-23] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 382 (2010): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, HR5481 (2010-06-23), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 442. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

To give subpoena power to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.

Plain summary

Authorizes the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, records, correspondence, memoranda, and other documents. Requires the Commission, before issuing such a subpoena, to notify the Attorney General (or a designee) of the Commission's intent to issue a subpoena, the identity of the witness, and the nature of the testimony sought. Prohibits the Commission from issuing a subpoena if the Attorney General objects on the basis that the taking of the testimony is likely to interfere with any: (1) federal or state criminal investigation or prosecution; or (2) pending investigation under the Civil False Claims Act or other federal statute providing for civil remedies, or any civil litigation to which the United States or any of its agencies is or is likely to be a party. Requires the Commission, in the case of contumacy of any person issued a subpoena or refusal by such person to comply with the subpoena, to request the Attorney General to seek enforcement of the subpoena in any U.S. district court for a district in which a person issued a subpoena under this Act resides, is served, or may be found, or where the subpoena is returnable. Deems failure to obey an order requiring the subpoenaed person to appear at any designated place to testify or produce documentary or other evidence to be contempt of court.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

To give subpoena power to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Capps, Lois [D-CA-23] · 25 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Kathy Castor (D-FL)

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (1)
Statute
A written law passed by a legislature. A statute can be changed by a later law; changing a constitution needs an amendment.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong111-hr5481 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong111 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong111