Duty of Transparency Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (16 Jul 2026): Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
What this bill does
The Duty of Transparency Act would require members of Congress who expect to be absent from their chamber's proceedings for 21 or more consecutive days to file a disclosure statement within five days of forming that expectation. The statement must include the expected dates of absence, an explanation for the absence, whether the member can still perform official duties remotely, and contact information for a staff member who can be reached in their absence. Members do not have to disclose medical diagnoses or other protected health details. If an absence continues, updated statements are required every 30 days, and disclosures must be posted publicly online within two days of filing. Members who miss the deadline due to incapacitation must file once able. Failure to comply would fall under the jurisdiction of each chamber's ethics committee.
The bill applies to all members of the House and Senate, including Delegates and the Resident Commissioner. It affects how absences are documented and made public, aiming to increase transparency about extended member absences while protecting personal health privacy. Congressional staff designated to attend to public records (the Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate) would be responsible for collecting and posting these disclosures.
The bill was introduced on July 16, 2026, by Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), with Rep. Seth Moulton as a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on House Administration. As an introduced bill, it would need committee consideration and votes in both the House and Senate, along with presidential approval, before becoming law. No further action has occurred yet.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
16 Jul 2026
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9769 do?
- The Duty of Transparency Act would require members of Congress who expect to be absent from their chamber's proceedings for 21 or more consecutive days to file a disclosure statement within five days of forming that expectation. The statement must include the expected dates of absence, an explanation for the absence, whether the member can still perform official duties remotely, and contact information for a staff member who can be reached in their absence. Members do not have to disclose medical diagnoses or other protected health details. If an absence continues, updated statements are required every 30 days, and disclosures must be posted publicly online within two days of filing. Members who miss the deadline due to incapacitation must file once able. Failure to comply would fall under the jurisdiction of each chamber's ethics committee. The bill applies to all members of the House and Senate, including Delegates and the Resident Commissioner. It affects how absences are documented and made public, aiming to increase transparency about extended member absences while protecting personal health privacy. Congressional staff designated to attend to public records (the Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate) would be responsible for collecting and posting these disclosures. The bill was introduced on July 16, 2026, by Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), with Rep. Seth Moulton as a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on House Administration. As an introduced bill, it would need committee consideration and votes in both the House and Senate, along with presidential approval, before becoming law. No further action has occurred yet.
- Has H.R. 9769 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 9769. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9769?
- H.R. 9769 was sponsored by Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15] (D-NY), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9769?
- Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. (16 Jul 2026).
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