CONSULT Act of 2023

Combating Obstructive National Security Underreporting of Legitimate Threats Act of 2023 or the CONSULT Act of 2023

This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from contracting with consultancies who, for one year prior, entered into contracts with the government of China, the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese People's Liberation Army, or other entities related to the Chinese or Russian governments.

Any individual or entity submitting an offer or bid for a contract for consulting services with DOD must disclose any contracts or grant awards from such Chinese or Russian entities during the past five years. If a contractor fails to disclose such contracts or awards, DOD must terminate the contract for cause and initiate a suspension and debarment proceeding on the contractor.

Bill 118 s 2034, also known as the CONSULT Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to establish a new framework for consulting with stakeholders on federal regulations.

Under the CONSULT Act, federal agencies would be required to engage in a formal consultation process with stakeholders before issuing new regulations. This process would involve soliciting input from a wide range of individuals and organizations that would be affected by the proposed regulations.

The bill also aims to increase transparency and accountability in the regulatory process by requiring agencies to publish a summary of the feedback they receive during the consultation period. This would allow the public to see how their input has been taken into account in the development of new regulations. Additionally, the CONSULT Act includes provisions to streamline the regulatory process and reduce unnecessary burdens on businesses and individuals. It seeks to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the development of regulations while still ensuring that the concerns of stakeholders are heard and addressed. Overall, the CONSULT Act of 2023 represents an effort to improve the regulatory process by increasing stakeholder engagement, transparency, and efficiency. It is currently being debated in Congress, and its ultimate fate will depend on the support it receives from lawmakers.