Senior leaders of three legislative-branch agencies would be appointed and removed under new rules. The Librarian of Congress and the Director of the Government Publishing Office (GPO) would no longer be chosen by the President with Senate confirmation; instead, congressional committee leaders would recommend three candidates, House and Senate leadership would pick one by majority vote, and that leadership could remove the official at any time by majority vote. The Copyright Office would be separated from the Library of Congress, and its head, the Register of Copyrights, would become a Presidential appointee confirmed by the Senate, serving a 10-year term (renewable in 5-year terms) and required to be a U.S. citizen with a copyright-law background. A new independent Inspector General would be created inside the Copyright Office with audit, investigation, and law-enforcement powers, including authority to make arrests, execute warrants, and carry firearms, plus its own protected budget. The GPO would be brought under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 and would build a merit-based personnel system subject to public notice-and-comment and Joint Committee on Printing approval. Copyright Office actions taken between May 8, 2025, and the law's enactment would be ratified, and the Library of Congress and Copyright Office could transfer appropriated funds to each other to complete their separation through September 30, 2029.
Transparency & Accountability
- Senate confirmation of the Librarian of Congress — Removed; a congressional leadership vote now appoints
- Senate confirmation of the GPO Director — Removed; a congressional leadership vote now appoints
- Senate confirmation of the Register of Copyrights — Added; the President now appoints with Senate consent
- Removal power over the Librarian and GPO Director — Congressional leadership may remove at any time by majority vote
- Copyright Office Inspector General — New independent oversight office established
- Inspector General removal notice — 30-day written justification to Congress required
- Inspector General budget independence — Register must forward the IG budget request unchanged
- Copyright Office IG law-enforcement authority — Agents may make arrests and carry firearms
- Public comment on GPO personnel rules — Notice-and-comment required before changes
Congressional Summary
Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification ActThis bill revises the procedures for appointing and removing the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the Government Publishing Office (GPO), and the Register of Copyrights. The bill also establishes an Office of Inspector General within the Copyright Office and requires GPO to establish a human management system.Specifically, the bill requires the Librarian of Congress and the Director of GPO to be appointed by a bipartisan congressional commission, based on procedures outlined by the bill and without regard to political affiliation. (Currently, these positions are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.) The Librarian of Congress and the Director of GPO may only be removed from office by a majority vote of the majority and minority leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate.Additionally, the bill requires the Librarian of Congress and the Director of GPO to each appoint a deputy within a set time frame and outlines related procedures.The bill removes the Library of Congress's (LOC's) supervisory authority over the Copyright Office and instead transfers those powers directly to the Register of Copyrights. LOC and other legislative agencies may provide support services to the Copyright Office.The bill requires the Register of Copyrights to be (1) a U.S. citizen with a background and experience in copyright law, and (2) appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. (Currently, the Register is appointed by the Librarian.) Before the President makes the appointment, the chair and ranking minority member of each specified committee must jointly recommend three individuals whom the President may consider in making the appointment. The bill limits the term of office for the Register to 10 years, but the individual may be reappointed.The bill requires subordinate officers and employees of the Copyright Office to be appointed by the Register. Further, the bill requires the Register (instead of the Librarian) to appoint the three administrative judges of the Copyright Royalty Board.The bill also establishes an Office of Inspector General within the Copyright Office to, among other duties, conduct and supervise audits and investigations (excluding incidents involving violence and personal property) relating to the Copyright Office. The Register must appoint an Inspector General to head this office without regard to political affiliation. The Register may remove or transfer the Inspector General with prior congressional notification.The bill also requires GPO to establish and maintain a human capital management system and outlines the requirements for the system.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Passed House
- Action Date
- 2026-06-08
- Date Added
- 2026-06-13
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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