Bill · S. 3166· Senate(119-S-3166)
Returning Unspent COVID Funds Act
- Introduced
- 11/7/2025
- Last activity
- 11/8/2025 — Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 266.
- Sponsored by
- Joni Ernst
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Returning Unspent COVID Funds Act. Its goal is to take back unused money from several COVID-related laws to help reduce the national deficit. The money will be returned to the general fund of the Treasury. The President can stop certain funds from being taken back by submitting a notice for national security reasons.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?+8
The bill explicitly directs rescinded funds to the general fund for the sole purpose of deficit reduction.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+7
The act removes unobligated balances from several major COVID-related spending laws.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+7
Recapturing unused funds to lower the deficit demonstrates a commitment to fiscal discipline.
The opposite· 3 of 20
Does this make the country readier for the next outbreak?-4
Rescinding funds from the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act reduces resources for future readiness.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-3
Rescinding funds from the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act removes available support for small businesses.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-3
Rescinding funds from social safety net programs reduces the available resources for low-income support.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Deficit Reduction: According to Section 2(c), the rescinded amounts must be used for the sole purpose of deficit reduction, which aims to lower the national deficit.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loss of Funding: Section 2(a) rescinds unobligated balances from multiple laws, including the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the CARES Act, and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which removes those available funds.
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+8Improves Fiscal Responsibility+7Reduces Government Spending+7Reduces Inflation+3Improves Small Business Support-3Increases Unemployment Benefits-2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-3Good For Low Income Households-3Good For Children-2Good For Students-2Good For African Americans-1Good For Hispanic Americans-1Good For Native Americans-1Good For People With Disabilities-1Good For Rural Residents-1Good For Urban Residents-1Good For Women-1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing-3Improves Childcare Affordability-3Reduces Homelessness-3Improves Poverty Reduction-2
- Healthcare
- Improves Pandemic Preparedness-4Improves Healthcare Access-2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Public School Funding-3
- 1/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/8/2025
- Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 266.
- 11/7/2025
- Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida