S.Amdt. 5699

SA 5699. Mr. BLUMENTHAL submitted an amendment intended to be
proposed by him to the bill S. 2, to provide for reconciliation
pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 33.; which was ordered to lie on
the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. ___. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OVERSIGHT PANEL.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered project.--The term ``covered project'' means a
federally funded construction, renovation, or demolition
project with a cost of not less than $1,000,000 undertaken in
Washington, D.C., on or after January 21, 2025.
(2) Oversight panel.--The term ``Oversight Panel'' means
the District of Columbia Oversight Panel established under
subsection (b).
(b) Establishment.--There is established in the legislative
branch the District of Columbia Oversight Panel.
(c) Duties.--
(1) In general.--The Oversight Panel shall review the
status of each covered project and submit reports to Congress
in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2) Reports.--
(A) Regular reports.--Not later than 30 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, and every 30 days thereafter, the
Oversight Panel shall submit to Congress a report that
includes--
(i) a list and description of each covered project;
(ii) a list of each donor to a covered project;
(iii) the value of each donation to a covered project;
(iv) the terms of each donation to a covered project;
(v) a review of the process of solicitation of donors for
covered projects;
(vi) a list of each contractor for a covered project;
(vii) an analysis of the given explanation for any no-bid
contract awarded for a covered project; and
(viii) an analysis of construction management for each
covered project.
(B) Special report on white house ballroom.--Not later than
60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Oversight Panel shall submit to Congress a special report on
the East Wing Modernization Project that analyzes each factor
described in clauses (i) through (viii) of subparagraph (A)
with respect to that project.
(d) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Oversight Panel shall consist of 5
members, as follows:
(A) 1 member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives.
(B) 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the House
of Representatives.
(C) 1 member appointed by the majority leader of the
Senate.
(D) 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the
Senate.
(E) 1 member appointed by the Mayor of the District of
Columbia.
(2) Pay.--Each member of the Oversight Panel shall each be
paid at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual
rate of basic pay for level I of the Executive Schedule under
section 5312 of title 5, United States Code, for each day
(including travel time) during which the member is engaged in
the actual performance of duties vested in the Oversight
Panel.
(3) Prohibition of compensation of federal employees.--A
member of the Oversight Panel who is a full-time officer or
employee of the United States or a Member of Congress may not
receive additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of
the member's service on the Oversight Panel.
(4) Travel expenses.--Each member of the Oversight Panel
shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, in accordance with the applicable provisions of
subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
(5) Quorum.--Four members of the Oversight Panel shall
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold
hearings.
(6) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Oversight Panel shall be
filled in the manner in which the original appointment was
made.
(7) Chairperson.--The Oversight Panel shall select a
Chairperson from among the members of the Oversight Panel.
(8) Meetings.--The Oversight Panel shall meet at the call
of the Chairperson or a majority of the members of the
Oversight Panel.
(e) Staff.--
(1) In general.--The Oversight Panel may appoint and fix
the pay of any personnel as the Oversight Panel considers
appropriate.
(2) Experts and consultants.--The Oversight Panel may
procure temporary and intermittent services under section
3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Staff of agencies.--Upon request of the Oversight
Panel, the head of any Federal department or agency may
detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of that
department or agency to the Oversight Panel to assist the
Oversight Panel in carrying out its duties under this
section.
(f) Powers.--
(1) Hearings and sessions.--The Oversight Panel may, for
the purpose of carrying out this section, hold hearings, sit
and act at times and places, take testimony, and receive
evidence as the Oversight Panel considers appropriate, and
may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing
before it.
(2) Powers of members and agents.--Any member or agent of
the Oversight Panel may, if authorized by the Oversight
Panel, take any action that the Oversight Panel is authorized
to take by this section.
(3) Obtaining official data.--
(A) In general.--The Oversight Panel may secure directly
from any Federal department or agency any information
necessary to enable the Oversight Panel to carry out its
duties under this section.
(B) Furnishing of information.--Upon request of the
Chairperson of the Oversight Panel for information under
subparagraph (A), the head of the department or agency shall
furnish that information to the Oversight Panel.
(4) Subpoena authority; reports to congress on lack of
cooperation.--Whenever information or assistance requested by
the Oversight Panel is, in the judgment of not fewer than 2
members of the Oversight Panel, unreasonably refused or not
provided, those members of the Oversight Panel--
(A) may issue a subpoena to compel disclosure of the
requested information; and
(B) shall report the circumstances to the appropriate
committees of Congress without delay.
(g) Termination.--The Oversight Panel shall terminate on
January 20, 2029.
(h) Funding for Expenses.--Notwithstanding section___2, of
the amounts made available to the Director of U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement under that section,
$50,000,000 shall be available to the Oversight Panel to
carry out its duties under this section, and shall remain
available until expended.
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