US Congress House Bill 2879 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: Engrossed on September 9 2013 - 50% progression, died in committee
Action: 2013-09-09 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Pending: Senate Homeland Security And Governmental Affairs Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Engrossed) [PDF]

Stop Government Abuse Act - Title I: Common Sense In Compensation - (Sec. 102) Prohibits the payment of certain discretionary monetary payments or performance awards to federal employees during any period of sequestration. Allows the head of an agency to waive the prohibition: (1) relating to performance awards, subject to the approval of the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); and (2) relating to discretionary payments, if such prohibition would violate the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. Title II: Government Employee Accountability - (Sec. 202) Sets forth investigative leave requirements for federal employees in the competitive service and Senior Executive Service (SES) career employees. Defines "investigative leave" as a temporary absence without duty for disciplinary reasons, for up to 90 days. Authorizes a federal agency to place an employee on investigative leave: (1) without loss of pay and without charge to annual or sick leave only for misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or misappropriation of funds; or (2) without pay if such employee's conduct is determined to be flagrant and the employee engaged in such conduct intentionally. Requires an agency head to: (1) review the investigation into an employee's misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or misappropriation of funds at the end of each 45-day investigative period; (2) report on such review to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs not later than 5 business days after the end of each 45-day period; and (3) remove, suspend without pay, or reinstate or restore such employee to duty at the end of the investigative leave period. Allows an agency to extend a period of investigative leave for an additional period not to exceed 90 days. Grants an employee placed on investigative leave certain rights, including: (1) 30 days' advance written notice of, and a reasonable time (not less than 7 days) to answer, charges; (2) the right to be represented by an attorney; and (3) the right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Allows an agency head to remove an SES employee for serious neglect of duty, misappropriation of funds, or malfeasance if the agency head: (1) determines that the employee knowingly acted in a manner that endangers the interest of the agency mission, (2) considers the removal to be necessary or advisable in the interests of the United States, and (3) determines that other procedures authorizing removal are not efficient. Grants such employees notice and appeal rights. (Sec. 204) Includes misappropriation of funds as a ground in suspending or reinstating an SES employee or placing such employee in another civil service position. Title III: Citizen Empowerment - (Sec. 301) Grants individuals who are the target of enforcement actions by executive agency employees the right to record in-person and telephonic interactions. Requires that notice of such right be included in any written material provided to an individual concerning an audit, investigation, inspection, or enforcement action that could result in civil or criminal penalties or the collection of an unpaid tax. Requires each executive agency to post on its website information explaining the right of individuals to record interactions with agency employees.

Stop Government Abuse Act

Rep. Lynn Jenkins [R-KS]

Rep. Mike Kelly [R-PA]

Rep. Mark Meadows [R-NC]

2013-08-01 - House - On Passage (Y: 239 N: 176 NV: 18 Abs: 0) [PASS]

Date	Chamber	Action
2013-09-09	Senate	Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
2013-08-01	House	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2013-08-01	House	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 239 - 176 (Roll no. 436). (text: CR H5296-5298)
2013-08-01	House	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H5305)
2013-08-01	House	DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2879.
2013-08-01	House	In each case the rule provides for one hour of debate on the bill and one motion to recommit for each bill.
2013-08-01	House	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 322. (consideration: CR H5296-5306)
2013-08-01	House	Rule H. Res. 322 passed House.
2013-08-01	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
2013-07-31	House	Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 322 Reported to House. In each case the rule provides for one hour of debate on the bill and one motion to recommit for each bill.
2013-07-31	House	Referred to House Judiciary
2013-07-31	House	Referred to House Oversight and Government Reform
2013-07-31	House	Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

HR322 (Related) 2013-08-01 - Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
HB2579 (Related) 2013-08-01 - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 322, H.R. 2579 is laid on the table.
SB1378 (Related) 2013-07-25 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2879/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr2879/BILLS-113hr2879ih.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr2879/BILLS-113hr2879eh.pdf
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2013436