[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 20, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H5670-H5671]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   GAO MANDATES REVISION ACT OF 2016

  Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 5687) to eliminate or modify certain mandates 
of the Government Accountability Office.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5687

       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 ``GAO Mandates Revision Act of 
     2016''.

     SEC. 2. REPORTS ELIMINATED.

       (a) Single Audit Act Monitoring Responsibilities.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 75 of title 31, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (A) by striking section 7506; and
       (B) by redesignating section 7507 as section 7506.
       (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of 
     sections for chapter 75 of title 31, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking the items relating to sections 7506 and 
     7507 and inserting the following:

``7506. Effective date.''.

       (b) Review of Medigap Premium Levels.--Section 111(c) of 
     the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and 
     Protection Act of 2000 (Appendix F; 114 Stat. 2763A-473), as 
     enacted into law by section 1(a)(6) of Public Law 106-554, is 
     repealed.
       (c) Report on Dispute Resolution Pilot Program.--Section 
     1105 of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 (42 U.S.C. 
     5189a note) is amended by striking subsection (d).
       (d) Biennial Survey Regarding Transportation Intelligence 
     Reports.--Section 114(u) of title 49, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``subsection (t)'' and 
     inserting ``subsection (s)(4)(E)'';
       (2) by striking paragraph (7); and
       (3) by redesignating paragraphs (8) and (9) as paragraphs 
     (7) and (8), respectively.

     SEC. 3. REPORTS MODIFIED.

       (a) Oversight and Audits Under the Emergency Economic 
     Stabilization Act of 2008.--Section 116(a)(3) of the 
     Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (12 U.S.C. 
     5226(a)(3)) is amended by striking ``, regularly and no less 
     frequently than once every 60 days,'' and inserting 
     ``annually''.
       (b) Reports on Conflict Minerals.--Section 1502(d) of the 
     Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (15 
     U.S.C. 78m note) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``until the termination 
     of the disclosure requirements under section 13(p) of the 
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934'' and inserting ``through 
     2020, in 2022, and in 2024''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
     (A), by inserting ``through 2020, in 2022, and in 2024'' 
     after ``annually thereafter''.
       (c) Update on Actions Taken by Secretary of HHS To 
     Implement GAO Recommendation.--Section 632(d) of the American 
     Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-240; 126 Stat. 
     2354) is amended in the first sentence by striking ``December 
     31, 2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2023''.
       (d) Review Panel.--Section 399V-4(d)(2) of the Public 
     Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g-15) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``, or an individual 
     within the Government Accountability Office designated by the 
     Comptroller General, shall'' and inserting ``shall designate 
     a member of the review panel to''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``Comptroller 
     General'' and inserting ``Secretary''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Carter) and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia 
(Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 5687, the GAO Mandates 
Revision

[[Page H5671]]

Act of 2016. We have a unique opportunity today to help a critical 
congressional ally, the Government Accountability Office.
  GAO's reporting helps ensure that Federal funds are efficiently and 
effectively spent and that our Federal programs work as intended for 
the American people. For example, the GAO has created over $600 billion 
in financial benefits to the Federal Government since fiscal year 2003. 
The implementation of GAO's recommendations has led to over 16,000 
program and operational improvements across the Federal Government.
  Congress relies heavily on GAO, and, therefore, it is natural that 
committees frequently pass bills to require the GAO to produce regular 
reporting. However, Congress must also periodically review these 
requirements to ensure that we are not burdening GAO with required 
reporting that is no longer necessary.
  The bill before us does just that by repealing eight mandated reviews 
that are outdated or unnecessary. Elimination of these reports will 
allow the GAO to free up resources and better focus on Congress' 
highest priorities. All reports being repealed by this legislation have 
been agreed upon on a bipartisan, bicameral basis.
  I want to thank my colleagues throughout the House and Senate who 
have taken part in this process. We will be back in the 115th Congress 
with a similar review, and I thank you in advance for your help again.
  In summary, the bill before us today will allow the GAO to better 
respond to more time-sensitive congressional requests. I urge my 
colleagues to support H.R. 5687.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a simple, commonsense bill that would eliminate 
or modify certain outdated GAO reports currently mandated by statute. 
The bill would allow GAO to more effectively use its resources and 
assist Congress more effectively. I appreciate the bipartisan and 
bicameral approach taken on this bill.

                              {time}  1530

  Majority and minority staff of the Oversight and Government Reform 
Committee worked to ensure that the committee that received the reports 
affected by the bill were all comfortable with the changes being made.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the 
bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Jody B. Hice) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5687.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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