HR 6028: Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act

HR 6028 in plain English: This bill changes how the Librarian of Congress and the Director of the Government Publishing Office are appointed and removed, shifting appointment power from the President to a bipartisan congressional commission. It also makes the Copyright Office more independent from the Library of Congress, changes how the Register of Copyrights is appointed, and creates a new Inspector General for the Copyright Office.

Stated purpose

The bill changes how the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the Government Publishing Office, and the Register of Copyrights are appointed and removed, and creates new oversight and management structures within those agencies.

Key points

• Transfers appointment of the Librarian of Congress and GPO Director from the President to a bipartisan congressional commission
• Allows removal of the Librarian of Congress or GPO Director only by majority vote of House and Senate majority and minority leaders
• Makes the Copyright Office independent from the Library of Congress, giving the Register of Copyrights direct authority over it
• Requires the Register of Copyrights to be appointed by the President with Senate confirmation, limited to 10-year terms
• Creates a new Office of Inspector General within the Copyright Office to conduct audits and investigations

Arguments supporters make

• Putting these appointments in the hands of a bipartisan congressional commission rather than the President keeps purely legislative-branch agencies under legislative-branch control, which is where they belong.
• Requiring bipartisan agreement to appoint and remove agency heads reduces the chance that one party uses these positions for political purposes.
• Giving the Copyright Office its own leadership structure and an Inspector General provides stronger, more focused oversight of copyright law, which affects millions of creators and businesses.

Arguments opponents make

• Shifting appointment power away from the President and to a small group of congressional leaders concentrates control in a handful of individuals rather than spreading accountability more broadly.
• A bipartisan commission of congressional leaders could deadlock or slow-walk appointments, leaving key agencies without permanent leadership for extended periods.
• Removing the Library of Congress's supervisory authority over the Copyright Office fragments a structure that has functioned together for over a century, potentially creating coordination problems and unclear lines of responsibility.

Tradeoffs

Moving appointments from the executive branch to congressional leaders increases Congress's direct control over its own agencies but reduces the checks that come from presidential involvement and Senate-wide confirmation votes. Elevating the Copyright Office's independence may improve focused oversight but could also create duplication or gaps where the office previously relied on Library of Congress support.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

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