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H.R. 3963 108th Congress House

Congressional Accountability Enhancement Act of 2004

Official title: To amend the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to extend to employees of the legislative branch certain protections available to other employees of the … Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to extend to employees of the legislative branch certain protections available to other employees of the Federal Government under certain laws, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 17, 2004 See on congress.gov
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Armed Forces and National SecurityArts, Culture, ReligionBankruptcyBotanical gardensCapitol (Washington, D.C.)Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCivil actions and liabilityCivil rights enforcementCongressional Budget OfficeCongressional agenciesCongressional employeesCongressional information resourcesCongressional joint committeesCongressional office buildingsCongressional reporting requirementsCrime and Law EnforcementDebtor and creditorDisabledDisciplining of employeesDiscrimination against the disabledDiscrimination in employmentDiscrimination in public facilitiesEconomics and Public FinanceElectronic government informationEmployee rightsEmployment of the disabledFederal employeesFederal librariesFinance and Financial SectorGarnishmentGeneral Accounting OfficeGovernment Accountability Office (GAO)Government Operations and PoliticsGovernment downsizingGovernment paperworkGovernment procurementGovernmental investigationsInformation technologyInjunctionsJudicial reviewJuriesLabor and EmploymentLawLibrary of CongressMisconduct in officePolygraphsPublic Lands and Natural ResourcesScience, Technology, CommunicationsSigns and signboardsStandardsVeterans' employmentVocational rehabilitationWaste in government spendingWhistle blowing
This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 30, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness.
Apr 30, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
Apr 30, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.
Mar 11, 2004
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 11, 2004
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E354)
Mar 11, 2004
Introduced in House
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 Latest action April 30, 2004

Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Congressional Accountability Enhancement Act of 2004 - Amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to prohibit discrimination in access to and use of congressional electronic and information technology by Federal and non-Federal individuals with disabilities.

Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to apply such prohibition to the General Accounting Office (GAO), the Government Printing Office, and the Library of Congress.

Grants covered employees and applicants for such employment rights and protections under Whistleblower Protection Rules.

Includes: (1) GAO employees and Library of Congress employees as covered employees; and (2) GAO and the Library of Congress as employing offices.

Prohibits an employing office from: (1) discharging a covered employee by reason of a garnishment of such individual's earnings for any one indebtedness; or (2) denying employment to, terminating the employment of, or discriminating with respect to employment against a covered employee who has been a debtor or bankrupt under the Bankruptcy Act, or discriminating against another covered employee with whom such bankrupt or debtor has been associated, solely because of debtor or insolvent status.

Prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation of legislative branch entities.

Covers legislative branch employees under the Federal Judicial Code rules protecting jurors' employment.

Applies administrative and judicial dispute-resolution procedures of the Act for violations of certain rights and protections under: (1) the Employee Polograph Protection Act of 1988; (2) the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; and (3) Federal law regarding veterans' employment and reemployment.

Directs the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance to study and report to Congress on the feasibility and desirability of extending all procedural rules and enforcement mechanisms under the Act to all legislative branch entities.

Requires employing offices to post notices of rights and protections applicable to covered employees under the Act and any other Federal law relating to the terms and conditions of employment or access to public services and accommodations.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 6
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3963: Congressional Accountability Enhancement Act of 2004. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-3963/
MLA
"H.R. 3963: Congressional Accountability Enhancement Act of 2004." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-3963/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3963, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-3963/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3963: Congressional Accountability Enhancement Act of 2004](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-3963/)
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