April 25, 2017

U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.  20515

Dear Representative,

You will soon consider H.R. 1695, the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act of 2017.  On behalf of the more than one million members and supporters of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW), I urge you to support this legislation.

The Register holds a position of high responsibility and trust, delivering impartial counsel to Congress, courts, and other government agencies.  Currently, the Register is a direct hire of the Librarian of Congress.

To maintain the Register’s important role with respect to Congress and to encourage further modernization of the U.S. Copyright Office, the position should be subject to the same nomination and consent procedures as presidential appointees.  H.R. 1695 makes the Register of Copyrights a presidential appointment for a term of 10 years, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.  The legislation also specifies the duties that shall be performed by the Register in this appointment.   

H.R. 1695 is a much-needed first step toward reform of the Copyright Office.  All votes on H.R. 1695 will be among those considered for CCAGW’s 2017 Congressional Ratings.

Sincerely, 

Tom Schatz
President, CCAGW