United StatesUnauthorized Spending Accountability Act
What it does
Creates a recurring three-year budgetary level reduction cycle for unauthorized programs beginning in fiscal year 2026.
Defines 'unauthorized program' by reference to the CBO report 'Expired and Expiring Authorizations of Appropriations'.
Requires an automatic 10% reduction in the budgetary level the year after an authorization expires.
Requires automatic 15% reductions to budgetary levels in the second and third fiscal years after expiration if the program remains unauthorized.
Terminates programs that remain unauthorized through the third year and bars obligating funds for terminated programs absent a new express reauthorization (limited to three years).
Argument forCreates a clear, automatic mechanism to reduce budgetary levels for programs without current authorization, encouraging Congress to review and reauthorize or discontinue programs.
Argument againstAutomatic reductions and eventual termination could cut funding for programs that Congress intends to continue, risking gaps in services or abrupt operational impacts.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Dec 2Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldLatest
- Dec 2Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 19.
- Jan 3Introduced in House
- Jan 3Referred 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.Introduced
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