H.R. 72: GAO Access and Oversight Act of 2017

115th Congress · introduced 2017-01-03 · Government Operations and Politics · Latest: Signed by President.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2017-01-03 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: Senate vote 28 (2017): On Passage of the Bill, HR72 (2017-01-17), Bill Passed. See all
Where it stands now: Signed by President. (final step reached)
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

GAO Access and Oversight Act of 2017

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.) GAO Access and Oversight Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to obtain federal agency records required to discharge the GAO's duties (including audit, evaluation, and investigative duties), including through bringing civil actions to require an agency to produce a record. No provision of the Social Security Act shall be construed to limit, amend, or supersede the GAO's authority to: (1) obtain information or inspect records about an agency's duties, powers, activities, organization, or financial transactions; or (2) obtain other agency records that the GAO requires to discharge its duties. Agency statements on actions taken or planned in response to GAO recommendations must be submitted to: (1) the congressional committees with jurisdiction over the pertinent agency program or activity, and (2) the GAO.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), 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

GAO Access and Oversight Act of 2017

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] reported raising $7.3 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Senate vote 28 (2017): On Passage of the Bill, HR72 (2017-01-17): Bill Passed

Words on this page, explained (3)

Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Jurisdiction: The area or the matters a government or court has authority over.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-115hr72.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/115/hr>

Record fed-us-cong115-hr72 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115