HRES 113 · 119th Congress

Directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to transmit to the House of Representatives certain documents relating to Department of Homeland Security policies and activities related to the security of Department information and data and the recruitment and retention of its workforce.

government oversighthomeland securityfederal workforcedata securityDepartment of Government Efficiency
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Last action 2025-03-05

Sponsored by Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2] (D) — MS

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Would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to transmit to the House of Representatives documentation in 12 categories — covering the Department of Government Efficiency's access to DHS data systems, Office of Personnel Management access to DHS employee records, and the impact of the federal hiring freeze and deferred resignation program on DHS staffing.

The resolution was reported adversely by committee, meaning the majority recommended against its adoption, but it was placed on the House Calendar. If adopted, it would function as a formal congressional demand for executive branch records on sensitive data-access and workforce matters.

What this bill would do

What it would do

The resolution would require the Secretary of Homeland Security, within 14 days of adoption, to transmit copies of any documentation in the Secretary's possession across 12 specified categories. Those categories cover: requests by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for access to DHS information systems or data; any access actually granted and any data supplied to DOGE; DHS policies on granting system access to non-employees or contractors; DHS efforts to investigate Office of Personnel Management access to employee data for non-routine purposes and related security implications; and records on the January 20, 2025, federal civilian hiring freeze and its effect on pending DHS job offers.

Additional categories would require documentation on the number of DHS employees who accepted the OPM deferred resignation offer, their job titles, and which employees were designated as national security personnel exempt from the hiring freeze and deferred resignation program. The document request applies only to records already in the Secretary's possession and does not compel the creation of new records.

Key provisions

  1. 1Would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to transmit specified documentation to the House of Representatives within 14 days of adoption.
  2. 2Would require disclosure of all documentation related to DOGE requests for, and any access granted to, DHS information systems and data, including data actually supplied to DOGE.
  3. 3Would require documentation on DHS policies governing non-employee and non-contractor access to DHS information systems and data.
  4. 4Would require documentation on OPM's non-routine access to DHS employee data, including any security implications investigated by DHS.
  5. 5Would require documentation on the impact of the January 20, 2025, federal hiring freeze and the OPM deferred resignation offer on DHS pending job offers, onboarding, and workforce vacancies.

Who would be affected

The Secretary of Homeland Security, who would be required to compile and transmit specified records to the House within 14 days. DHS employees whose personnel data may have been accessed by OPM, prospective DHS employees affected by the hiring freeze or deferred resignation program, and members of Congress conducting oversight of DHS are the parties whose interests the requested documentation would illuminate.

Why it matters

If adopted, DHS would face a two-week deadline to disclose how it handled DOGE's access to sensitive data systems, what employee data OPM accessed and any security implications, and how many positions were left vacant or unfilled due to the hiring freeze and deferred resignation offer — information bearing directly on both DHS cybersecurity posture and its ability to maintain an adequate workforce.

What would change

Agencies directed to act

Department of Homeland SecurityOffice of Personnel Management

Effective dates

  • Secretary of Homeland Security's deadline to transmit all specified documentation to the HouseWithin 14 days of adoption

How implementation would work

Upon adoption, the Secretary of Homeland Security would have 14 days to compile and transmit all responsive documentation. The resolution applies only to records already in the Secretary's possession, limiting the production obligation. No enforcement mechanism beyond the House's inherent oversight authority is specified in the text. The resolution was reported adversely by the House Committee on Homeland Security, meaning it proceeds to the full House over the committee's objection.

Legislative status & sources

Latest action

Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 7.

2025-03-05

Official CRS summary

Show the CRS summary

This resolution directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to transmit to the House of Representatives documentation relating to the security of DHS information and the recruitment and retention of the DHS workforce, particularly relating to Department of Government Efficiency and Office of Personnel Management access to DHS data.

From the Congressional Research Service.

Legislative subjects

Administrative law and regulatory procedures; Congressional-executive branch relations; Department of Homeland Security; Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management; Government information and archives; Immigration; Presidential administrations

Committee report

H. Rept. 119-11

Congressional Bill

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HRES 113: Directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to transmit to the House of Representatives certain documents relating to Department of Homeland Security policies and activities related to the security of Department information and data and the recruitment and retention of its workforce. | Legislation Reporter