All Access Act of 2025: Congress Gets Keys to Federal Buildings – With a 12-Hour Notice for After-Hours Visits

The All Access Act of 2025 basically gives members of Congress a master key to any federal public building, as long as they show their official ID. During regular business hours, they can walk right in. But if they want access outside those hours, they need to give the head of the building at least 12 hours' notice (SEC. 2).

Inside Access

The main point of this bill is straightforward: make it easier for Senators and Representatives to get into federal buildings. The bill defines "Member of Congress" as, well, a member of Congress (Representative or Senator), and it points to U.S. Code Title 40, Section 3301 to clarify what counts as a "public building" (SEC. 2). Think post offices, federal courthouses, and agency headquarters.

Real-World Rollout

Imagine a Congresswoman investigating complaints about working conditions at a federal agency. With this Act, she could visit the building during business hours without jumping through hoops. If she needs to check something out late at night or early in the morning, she just has to give a heads-up.

Or picture a Congressman looking into how federal funds are being used at a local level. This bill could make it easier for him to get on-site and see things firsthand. This increased access could, in theory, lead to better oversight of how taxpayer money is being spent and whether federal programs are working as intended.

Potential Snags

While the bill aims for easier access, there's always the chance of things getting messy. Could some members use this access for things other than official business? There's also the practical side: how will buildings handle after-hours visits to make sure everything runs smoothly and securely? It's one thing to say Congress has access; it's another to make sure that access doesn't disrupt the work going on inside these buildings.