Rules Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Budget Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill, known as the Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act, establishes a reoccurring three-year budgetary level reduction cycle for federal programs operating without current authorization, beginning in fiscal year 2026. It defines an "unauthorized program" as any program listed in a Congressional Budget Office report whose authorization of appropriations has expired. This framework aims to ensure accountability for federal spending on programs lacking up-to-date congressional approval. Under this cycle, an unauthorized program would face a budgetary level reduction of 10 percent of its prior year's funding in the first fiscal year following its authorization expiration. If the program remains unauthorized, an additional 15 percent reduction would be applied in both the second and third fiscal years. Should a program continue to operate without reauthorization after these three years of reductions, it would be terminated , prohibiting further obligation of funds unless expressly reauthorized by Congress. Programs can avoid these budgetary reductions and termination if they are expressly reauthorized by Congress. To qualify for this exemption, the reauthorization must occur during the fiscal year the reduction would apply and must include a sunset provision limiting the authorization of appropriations period to not more than three years.
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Budget, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 19.
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Budget, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 19.
Economics and Public Finance
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Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act
USA119th CongressHR-143| House
| Updated: 12/2/2025
This bill, known as the Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act, establishes a reoccurring three-year budgetary level reduction cycle for federal programs operating without current authorization, beginning in fiscal year 2026. It defines an "unauthorized program" as any program listed in a Congressional Budget Office report whose authorization of appropriations has expired. This framework aims to ensure accountability for federal spending on programs lacking up-to-date congressional approval. Under this cycle, an unauthorized program would face a budgetary level reduction of 10 percent of its prior year's funding in the first fiscal year following its authorization expiration. If the program remains unauthorized, an additional 15 percent reduction would be applied in both the second and third fiscal years. Should a program continue to operate without reauthorization after these three years of reductions, it would be terminated , prohibiting further obligation of funds unless expressly reauthorized by Congress. Programs can avoid these budgetary reductions and termination if they are expressly reauthorized by Congress. To qualify for this exemption, the reauthorization must occur during the fiscal year the reduction would apply and must include a sunset provision limiting the authorization of appropriations period to not more than three years.
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Budget, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 19.
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Budget, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 19.