Organizations Warn Fast-Track of Bill to Separate Copyright Office from Library of Congress Would Be a 'Grave Mistake'

"It would be a grave mistake to take such dramatic action outside of regular order. A full committee markup of the bill is scheduled for tomorrow, March 18, and the coalition urges the House Committee on Administration to consider the bill on the regular timeline to avoid unintended consequences."

"H.R. 6028 would change the procedures for appointing and removing the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the Government Publishing Office (GPO), and the Register of Copyrights. Instead of being appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, the Librarian and Director of the GPO would be appointed by a bipartisan congressional commission and could only be removed from office by a majority vote of the majority and minority leaders."

"The bill would also remove the Library of Congress's supervisory authority over the Copyright Office and require the Register of Copyrights to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, instead of being appointed by the Librarian. The Copyright Register's term of office would also be limited to 10 years, with the possibility of reappointment."

H.R. 6028, the Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act, proposes significant structural changes to federal copyright and library governance. The bill would remove the Library of Congress's supervisory authority over the Copyright Office and alter appointment procedures for key leadership positions. The Librarian of Congress and Director of the Government Publishing Office would be appointed by a bipartisan congressional commission instead of the President, with removal requiring majority votes from both chambers' leadership. The Register of Copyrights would be appointed by the President with Senate confirmation, limited to 10-year terms. A coalition including Re:Create and seven other organizations has sent letters opposing expedited passage, warning that fast-tracking the bill outside regular order could produce unintended consequences.

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