Bill · H.R. 7555· House(119-HR-7555)
Audit the Pentagon Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 2/12/2026
- Last activity
- 2/12/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Sponsored by
- Mark Pocan
- Cosponsors
- - 20 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Audit the Pentagon Act of 2026" aims to ensure the Department of Defense achieves a clean audit opinion on its financial statements. The bill addresses findings where the Pentagon failed consecutive audits and was unable to account for significant portions of its assets. If the Comptroller fails to certify an unqualified opinion for a department or agency, funding for that entity will be reduced. These reductions start at 0.5 percent in the initial year and increase to 1.0 percent in subsequent years. The money from these reductions is deposited into the General Fund of the Treasury for deficit reduction. Certain accounts, such as military and reserve personnel, are excluded from these cuts.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+6
The bill forces financial accountability by requiring an unqualified audit opinion for Department of Defense elements.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?+5
The bill directs funds from Department of Defense budget reductions to the General Fund of the Treasury for deficit reduction.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+3
The bill mandates potential spending reductions for Department of Defense elements that fail to achieve an unqualified audit opinion.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Deficit Reduction: The money taken from failed audits will be used for deficit reduction, depositing funds into the General Fund of the Treasury (Section 4(a)(3)).
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Protection of Vital Accounts: Reductions will not affect military personnel, reserve personnel, National Guard personnel, or the Defense Health Program (Section 4(b)).
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Security of Sensitive Programs: The bill ensures that accounting for classified defense programs remains secure and does not require declassification, using auditors with necessary security clearances (Section 3(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Budget Reductions for Defense Elements: If a department or agency fails to achieve an unqualified audit opinion, its funding will be reduced by 0.5 percent or 1.0 percent, applied pro rata against its programs, projects, and activities (Section 4(a)(1) and (2)).
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Potential Impact on National Security: While the President can waive reductions, the bill notes that applying these cuts could negatively affect national security or members of the Armed Forces serving in combat zones (Section 4(c)(1)).
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 National Debt+5Reduces Government Spending+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+1
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+1
- 8/31/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/17/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/12/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 18 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Andy BiggsRepublican · Arizona
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Lloyd DoggettDemocrat · Texas
Mark DeSaulnierDemocrat · California
Valerie FousheeDemocrat · North Carolina
Glenn GrothmanRepublican · Wisconsin
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Harriet HagemanRepublican · Wyoming
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Kweisi MfumeDemocrat · Maryland
Gwen MooreDemocrat · Wisconsin
Jerrold NadlerDemocrat · New York
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey