Bill · H.R. 143· House(119-HR-143)
Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act
- Introduced
- 1/3/2025
- Last activity
- 12/2/2025 — Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 19.
- Sponsored by
- Kat Cammack
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
What this bill would do
The "Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act" establishes a recurring three-year budget reduction cycle for unauthorized programs starting in fiscal year 2026. An unauthorized program is defined as one listed in the Congressional Budget Office report regarding expired or expiring authorizations. In the first year following expiration, the budgetary level for such a program is reduced by 10 percent of the funds appropriated in the expiring year. In the second or third year, the reduction increases to 15 percent of those funds. Programs that undergo this third-year reduction are subject to termination on October 1 of the following fiscal year. However, these reductions can be avoided if the program is expressly reauthorized with a sunset provision not exceeding three years.
Yes
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+5
The bill mandates a schedule of budgetary level reductions for any program whose authorization has expired.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+4
The bill establishes a mechanism to reduce spending on programs that lack explicit congressional authorization.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Program Accountability: The Act creates a system to address programs that are not explicitly authorized by Congress through a recurring three-year reduction cycle (Section 2).
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Restoration of Funding: If an unauthorized program is expressly reauthorized during the year the reduction would occur, the budgetary level reduction is restored (Section 5(a)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Budget Reductions for Programs: Unauthorized programs will face immediate budgetary level reductions of 10 percent in the first year following expiration (Section 3(a)), and these reductions increase to 15 percent in the second or third year (Section 3(b)).
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Program Termination: Any unauthorized program that hits the third-year reduction level will be terminated effective October 1 of the following fiscal year (Section 4(a)).
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Restrictions on Funding After Termination: Once a program is terminated, no funds may be obligated for it in any fiscal year without an express reauthorization from Congress that includes an authorization of appropriations period of no more than three years (Section 4(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+5Improves Fiscal Responsibility+4
- 1/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/2/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 19.
- 1/3/2025
- 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Tom BarrettRepublican · Michigan
Derek SchmidtRepublican · Kansas