§ 5233. Congressional Oversight Panel  


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  • (a) Establishment

    There is hereby established the Congressional Oversight Panel (hereafter in this section referred to as the “Oversight Panel”) as an establishment in the legislative branch.

    (b) DutiesThe Oversight Panel shall review the current state of the financial markets and the regulatory system and submit the following reports to Congress:(1) Regular reports(A) In generalRegular reports of the Oversight Panel shall include the following:(i) The use by the Secretary of authority under this chapter, including with respect to the use of contracting authority and administration of the program.(ii) The impact of purchases made under the be paid at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay for level I of the Executive Schedule for each day (including travel time) during which such member is engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the Commission.

    (3) Prohibition of compensation of Federal employees

    Members of the Oversight Panel who are full-time officers or employees of the United States or Members of Congress may not receive additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on the Oversight Panel.

    (4) Travel expenses

    Each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5.

    (5) Quorum

    Four members of the Oversight Panel shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings.

    (6) Vacancies

    A vacancy on the Oversight Panel shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.

    (7) Meetings

    The Oversight Panel shall meet at the call of the Chairperson or a majority of its members.

    (d) Staff(1) In general

    The Oversight Panel may appoint and fix the pay of any personnel as the Commission considers appropriate.

    (2) Experts and consultants

    The Oversight Panel may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5.

    (3) Staff of agencies

    Upon request of the Oversight Panel, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of that department or agency to the Oversight Panel to assist it in carrying out its duties under this chapter.

    (e) Powers(1) Hearings and sessions

    The Oversight Panel may, for the purpose of carrying out this section, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence as the Panel considers appropriate and may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before it.

    (2) Powers of members and agents

    Any member or agent of the Oversight Panel may, if authorized by the Oversight Panel, take any action which the Oversight Panel is authorized to take by this section.

    (3) Obtaining official data

    The Oversight Panel may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this section. Upon request of the Chairperson of the Oversight Panel, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that information to the Oversight Panel.

    (4) Reports

    The Oversight Panel shall receive and consider all reports required to be submitted to the Oversight Panel under this chapter.

    (f) Termination

    The Oversight Panel shall terminate 6 months after the termination date specified in section 5230 of this title.

    (g) Funding for expenses(1) Authorization of appropriations

    There is authorized to be appropriated to the Oversight Panel such sums as may be necessary for any fiscal year, half of which shall be derived from the applicable account of the House of Representatives, and half of which shall be derived from the contingent fund of the Senate.

    (2) Reimbursement of amounts

    An amount equal to the expenses of the Oversight Panel shall be promptly transferred by the Secretary, from time to time upon the presentment of a statement of such expenses by the Chairperson of the Oversight Panel, from funds made available to the Secretary under this chapter to the applicable fund of the House of Representatives and the contingent fund of the Senate, as appropriate, as reimbursement for amounts expended from such account and fund under paragraph (1).

(Pub. L. 110–343, div. A, title I, § 125, Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3791; Pub. L. 111–22, div. A, title V, § 501, May 20, 2009, 123 Stat. 1658.)

References In Text

References in Text

This chapter and the chapter, referred to in text, were in the original “this Act” and “the Act”, respectively, and were translated as reading “this division” and “the division”, respectively, meaning div. A of Pub. L. 110–343, Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3765, known as the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. For complete classification of division A to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5201 of this title and Tables.

Level I of the Executive Schedule, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), is set out in section 5312 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Amendments

Amendments

2009—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 111–22 added par. (3).