Bills · HR 5220
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 5220Economics and Public Finance
Congressional Power of the Purse Act
INTRO SEP 9· LAST ACTION SEP 9
READING
52MIN
COSPONSORS
22
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it addresses a fundamental question of who controls federal spending: the President or Congress. In recent decades, there have been disputes over presidential administrations withholding funds that Congress has allocated for specific programs or purposes. This bill aims to prevent such actions, ensuring that money approved by elected representatives is actually spent as intended, which can affect everything from infrastructure projects to social programs.
If this bill becomes law, it could lead to greater accountability and transparency in federal spending, potentially reducing instances where funds are diverted or not spent without clear congressional approval. If it doesn't pass, the current framework for presidential authority over spending, including emergency powers, would remain largely unchanged, potentially continuing the existing tensions and challenges related to the 'power of the purse.'
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Temporarily prohibits 'fast-track' procedures under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 until January 20, 2029.
This makes it harder for a President to quickly defer or rescind funds approved by Congress without detailed review.
PROVISION 02
Requires agencies to make budget authority available for obligation in sufficient time and prevents withholding funds within 90 days of their expiration.
This ensures that funds appropriated by Congress are actually spent and not held back until they expire.
PROVISION 03
Mandates federal departments and agencies to notify congressional committees if spending is delayed, conditioned, or hinders a program's execution.
This increases congressional oversight over how agencies manage and spend their allocated budgets.
PROVISION 04
Requires the President's budget to report on expired, cancelled, and transferred balances, as well as spending during national emergencies.
This greatly enhances transparency regarding the management and use of federal funds across the government.
PROVISION 05
Increases congressional review and oversight of national emergencies, including reporting requirements and limitations on related spending.
This aims to give Congress more control over presidential emergency powers that involve federal funding.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 22
D· Pennsylvania
YRS IN OFFICE
11
BILLS LED
21
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 22 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSSEP 9
Introduced in House
SEP 9
Referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules, Foreign Affairs, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, 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.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 5220
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedSep 9, 2025
Last actionSep 9, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED SEP 9, 2025
House BillHR 5220Economics and Public Finance
Congressional Power of the Purse Act
INTRODUCED SEP 9, 2025· LAST ACTION SEP 9, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
52 min
COSPONSORS
22
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
