Portman’s bipartisan CASES Act set to become federal law

The U.S. Senate on July 31 unanimously approved the bipartisan Creating Advanced Streamlined Electronic Services for Constituents (CASES) Act of 2019 introduced by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH).

“I applaud the Senate for approving this commonsense bill and I look forward to seeing it signed into law,” Sen. Portman said. 

The CASES Act updates the Privacy Act of 1974 to give constituents the option to electronically authorize congressional offices to work with federal agencies on their behalf in resolving a case, according to information provided by Sen. Portman’s office.

“Each year, thousands of Ohioans contact my office for help resolving issues with federal agencies,” said Sen. Portman. “The CASES Act will make it easier for them and all Americans to interact with their government when they need help, and it will help members of Congress better serve their constituents.”

Along with U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), Sen. Portman in February cosponsored the Senate version, S. 435, to require the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance on electronic consent forms, among other provisions, according to the bill’s text. 

The Senate reconciled S. 435 with the same-named original version in the U.S. House of Representatives, H.R. 1079, which the chamber then approved last week by unanimous consent and will present to the president for his signature to make it law.

Specifically, the bill requires the OMB to direct federal agencies to establish a system for electronic submission of a privacy release form; to establish a uniform release form that all agencies will use; and requires the office to develop authentication procedures to ensure accuracy and privacy protections.