Derek Schmidt (R-KS)
To amend chapters 4, 10, and 131 of title 5, United States Code, as necessary to keep those chapters current and to correct related technical errors.
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill updates and corrects technical errors in chapters 4, 10, and 131 of title 5, United States Code. It incorporates laws enacted after October 19, 2021, to keep those chapters current without changing existing law. Specifically, it addresses Inspector General rules, financial disclosures for judicial officers, and oversight of the Bureau of Prisons. It also ensures that references across various titles of U.S. law correctly point to the updated title 5 provisions. Ultimately, the legislation makes sure our legal codes are accurate and properly aligned with recent acts passed by Congress.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +7
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
Establishes searchable databases for judicial financial disclosures, mandates public availability of IG reports, and performs technical cleanup of oversight laws.
- Scored +4
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
Creates an Ombudsman and inspection regime to protect the rights and welfare of incarcerated persons.
- Scored +3
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
Increases transparency and reporting requirements for Inspector General audits and questioned costs.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Federal Prison Oversight: Under section 4(b), the bill establishes a comprehensive inspection regime for Bureau of Prisons facilities by the Department of Justice Inspector General and creates an Ombudsman to handle complaints. This benefits incarcerated individuals, staff, and family advocates by addressing health, safety, and welfare concerns.
-
Greater Transparency for Judges' Finances: Section 3(c) requires the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to establish a searchable internet database for the online publication of financial disclosure reports filed by judicial officers, bankruptcy judges, and magistrate judges. This holds officials accountable and gives the public clear access to these records.
-
Enhanced Whistleblower and Misconduct Reporting: Section 3(a) improves semiannual reporting requirements for Inspectors General, including detailed descriptions of whistleblower retaliation instances and substantiated misconduct involving senior government employees. This helps protect workers and keeps leadership transparent.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Administrative and Operational Burdens: Section 4(b) requires the Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice to comply with extensive new inspection, documentation, and reporting mandates. These heavy administrative requirements could strain agency resources and slow down daily operations within federal correctional facilities.
-
Potential Delays in Complaint Resolution: Section 4(b) also outlines a multi-step process for handling complaints through a new Ombudsman and the Inspector General. For individuals seeking immediate relief for grievances, these formal review procedures and waiting periods might cause frustrating delays.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Establishes searchable databases for judicial financial disclosures, mandates public availability of IG reports, and performs technical cleanup of oversight laws. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Creates an Ombudsman and inspection regime to protect the rights and welfare of incarcerated persons. Does this give the federal government more power? — Clarifies and explicitly grants the President power to remove Inspectors General.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Increases oversight of healthcare availability for incarcerated individuals. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — Mandates inspections of medical and mental health care within Bureau of Prisons facilities.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Increases transparency and reporting requirements for Inspector General audits and questioned costs.
- 9/14/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 8/31/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5282-5295)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4465.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5282-5295)
- Mr. Schmidt moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 9/10/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 7/16/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.