117 HR 2056 IH: Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-03-18
text/xml
EN
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I
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2056
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 18, 2021
Mrs. Rodgers of Washington (for herself, Mr. Palmer, Mrs. Lesko, Mr. Allen, Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Joyce of Pennsylvania, Mr. Baird, Mr. Cloud, Mr. Budd, Mr. Norman, Mr. McClintock, Mr. Perry, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Keller, Mr. Arrington, Mr. Owens, Mr. Obernolte, Mr. Mann, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. LaTurner, Mr. Donalds, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Hice of Georgia, Ms. Herrell, and Mr. Johnson of South Dakota) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and the Budget, 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
A BILL
To provide for a reauthorizing schedule for unauthorized Federal programs, and for other purposes.
1.

Short title; table of contents
(a)

Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act of 2021”.
(b)

Table of contents
The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Title I—Sunset of unauthorized programs
Sec. 101. Establishment of budgetary level reduction schedule.
Sec. 102. Reduction in budgetary level for unauthorized programs.
Sec. 103. Termination of unauthorized programs after third unauthorized year.
Sec. 104. Exemption from budgetary level reduction.
Sec. 105. Offset of budgetary level reduction through reduction in direct spending.
Sec. 106. Sunset.
Title II—Spending and Accountability Commission
Sec. 201. Establishment.
Sec. 202. Duties of Commission.
Sec. 203. Membership.
Sec. 204. Powers of Commission.
Sec. 205. Personnel and other administrative matters.
Sec. 206. Funding.
Title III—Reauthorization cycle for discretionary programs
Sec. 301. Establishment of reauthorization schedule.
I

Sunset of unauthorized programs
101.

Establishment of budgetary level reduction schedule
(a)

In general
There is hereby established a reoccurring three-year budgetary level reduction cycle with respect to any unauthorized program, to begin in fiscal year 2021, consistent with the requirements of this Act.
(b)

Definitions
In this Act:
(1)

Budgetary level
The term “budgetary level” means the allocation made under section 302(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(a)) to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives or the Senate in a concurrent resolution on the budget for a fiscal year, and includes any such allocation made pursuant to a deeming resolution.
(2)

Commission
The term “Commission” means the Spending and Accountability Commission established under title II.
(3)

Expiring fiscal year
The term “expiring fiscal year” means, with respect to an unauthorized program, the fiscal year during which authorizations of appropriations will expire for such program.
(4)

Unauthorized program
The term “unauthorized program” means any program or activity listed in the annual report published by the Congressional Budget Office, entitled “Expired and Expiring Authorizations of Appropriations”, or any successor report, with respect to which authorizations of appropriations will expire during the fiscal year in which such report is published.
(c)

Application to programs that expired before fiscal year 2021
For purposes of applying this Act to any unauthorized program funded during fiscal year 2021 and for which authorizations of appropriations expired before such fiscal year, such program shall be deemed to be a program or activity listed in the report referred to in subsection (b)(4) with respect to which authorizations of appropriations will expire during fiscal year 2021.
102.

Reduction in budgetary level for unauthorized programs
(a)

Budgetary level for fiscal year following expiration of authorization
With respect to any unauthorized program, on the date that a budgetary level is established for the fiscal year immediately following the expiring fiscal year, such level shall immediately be reduced by an amount equal to 10 percent of the funds appropriated for such program in the expiring fiscal year.
(b)

Budgetary level for second and third fiscal years following expiration of authorization
With respect to any unauthorized program that results in a budgetary level reduction under subsection (a) that remains an unauthorized program in the second or third fiscal year following the expiring fiscal year, on the date that a budgetary level is established for either such second or third fiscal year, the budgetary level for either such fiscal year shall be reduced by an amount equal to 15 percent of the funds appropriated for such program in the expiring fiscal year.
(c)

Transmittal of new budgetary level
Upon the reduction of a budgetary level (if any) under subsection (a) or (b), the chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives and the Senate shall submit the revised budgetary level to the chair of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate, respectively.
103.

Termination of unauthorized programs after third unauthorized year
(a)

In general
Any unauthorized program that causes a budgetary level reduction under section 102(b) applicable to the third fiscal year following the expiring fiscal year shall, effective immediately on October 1 of the fiscal year immediately following such third fiscal year, be terminated, except that any unobligated amounts available for such program after the date of termination shall remain available for recording, adjusting, and liquidating valid obligations of such program issued before such termination date.
(b)

Obligation of funds prohibited without reauthorization
No funds may be obligated for any program terminated pursuant to subsection (a) in any fiscal year without an express reauthorization of the program by Congress containing an authorization of appropriations period not to exceed three years.
104.

Exemption from budgetary level reduction
(a)

Reauthorization
(1)

In general
Consistent with paragraph (2)—
(A)
any unauthorized program that causes a budgetary level reduction applicable to a fiscal year under section 102 that is expressly reauthorized during the fiscal year in which such level is established shall not be subject to the requirements of this title; and
(B)
upon the date of such reauthorization, any such reduction shall be restored.
(2)

Limitation
Paragraph (1) shall only apply if the reauthorization contains a sunset provision applicable to such program providing for an authorization of appropriations period of not more than three years.
(b)

Offset by reduction in direct spending
Any budgetary level reduction provided for in this title shall not apply if, before the fiscal year during which such reduction will occur, a bill is enacted into law as described in section 105.
105.

Offset of budgetary level reduction through reduction in direct spending
(a)

In general
Not later than 90 days after the end of fiscal year 2021 and any subsequent fiscal year during which this title remains applicable pursuant to section 106, the Commission shall review Federal programs funded by direct spending.
(b)

Reduction in direct spending
(1)

In general
Beginning in fiscal year 2021, during any fiscal year that a budgetary level reduction under section 102 is expected to occur during the subsequent fiscal year by operation of this title, the Commission may submit to Congress a legislative proposal providing for reductions in direct spending, to occur over a period of time not to exceed the next ten fiscal years, in an amount equal to the total amount of such reduction, as determined by the Commission.
(2)

Effect of enactment
If the proposal described under paragraph (1) is enacted into law before such subsequent fiscal year begins, the budgetary level reduction that would occur during such fiscal year as a result of this title shall have no force or effect during that fiscal year.
(c)

Definition
In this section, the term “direct spending” has the meaning given such term in section 250(c)(8) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900(c)(8)).
106.

Sunset
This title shall sunset on the date that the legislative proposal described under section 301 is enacted into law. The previous sentence shall not apply if such proposal, as enacted, does not include budgetary level reductions with respect to unauthorized programs in the amounts provided in section 102.
II

Spending and Accountability Commission
201.

Establishment
There is established in the legislature a permanent commission, to be known as the “Spending and Accountability Commission”, in order to carry out section 105 and title III of this Act.
202.

Duties of Commission
The Commission shall—
(1)
as described in section 105, conduct comprehensive reviews of all Federal programs funded through direct spending; and
(2)
as described in title III, provide a legislative proposal for an authorization cycle for Federal programs funded by discretionary spending.
203.

Membership
(a)

Number and appointment
The Commission shall be composed of 14 members, as follows:
(1)
Seven members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, of whom three shall be appointed in consultation with the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
(2)
Seven members shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, of whom three shall be appointed in consultation with the minority leader of the Senate.
(b)

Member powers and criteria
Any individual appointed pursuant to subsection (a) shall be a voting member of the Commission and must be a Member of Congress (as defined in section 2106 of title 5, United States Code, but not including the Vice President).
(c)

Congressional committee membership requirements
Each committee listed under paragraphs (1) through (7) shall have at least one Member on such committee appointed under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2):
(1)
The Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(2)
The Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
(3)
The Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives.
(4)
The Committee on the Budget of the Senate.
(5)
The Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.
(6)
The Committee on Finance of the Senate.
(7)
The Joint Economic Committee.
(d)

Chair; vice chair
The chair and vice chair of the Commission shall be selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the majority leader of the Senate.
(e)

Vacancies
Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
204.

Powers of Commission
(a)

Hearings and sessions
The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this title, hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. The Commission may administer oaths to witnesses appearing before it.
(b)

Obtaining information
The Commission may secure directly from any agency information necessary to enable it to carry out its duties under this title. Upon request of the chair, the head of that agency shall furnish that information to the Commission in a full and timely manner. In carrying out the duties assigned under this title, the Commission may use any report or other information prepared by the Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Budget Office, or the Congressional Research Service.
(c)

Subpoena power
(1)

Authority to issue subpoena
The Commission may issue a subpoena to require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence relating to any matter under investigation by the Commission.
(2)

Compliance with subpoena
If a person refuses to obey an order or subpoena of the Commission that is issued in connection with a Commission proceeding, the Commission may apply to the United States district court in the judicial district in which the proceeding is held for an order requiring the person to comply with the subpoena or order.
(d)

Immunity
The Commission is an agency of the United States for purposes of part V of title 18, United States Code (relating to immunity of witnesses).
(e)

Contract authority
The Commission may contract with and compensate government and private agencies or persons for services without regard to section 6101 of title 41, United States Code (relating to advertising requirement for Federal Government purchases and sales).
205.

Personnel and other administrative matters
(a)

Personnel matters
(1)

Compensation
Members shall not be paid by reason of their service as members of the Commission.
(2)

Travel expenses
Each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
(3)

Director
The Commission shall have a Director who shall be appointed by the chair. The Director shall be paid at a rate not to exceed the maximum rate of basic pay for GS–15 of the General Schedule.
(4)

Staff
The Director may appoint and fix the pay of additional personnel as the Director considers appropriate.
(5)

Applicability of certain civil service laws
The Director and staff of the Commission shall be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates.
(b)

Other administrative matters
(1)

Postal and printing services
The Commission may use the United States mails and obtain printing and binding services in the same manner and under the same conditions as other agencies.
(2)

Administrative support services
Upon the request of the Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry out its duties under this title.
(3)

Experts and consultants
The Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.
206.

Funding
(a)

Use of existing funds
The Commission shall be carried out using amounts otherwise appropriated or made available to the House of Representatives and the Senate. No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act.
(b)

Allocation between House and Senate
Of the amounts used to carry out this title—
(1)
50 percent shall be derived from the applicable accounts of the House of Representatives; and
(2)
50 percent shall be derived from the contingent fund of the Senate.
III

Reauthorization cycle for discretionary programs
301.

Establishment of reauthorization schedule
(a)

In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to Congress a legislative proposal, consistent with the requirements of subsection (b), that establishes a reauthorization schedule for Federal programs funded by discretionary spending. Such proposal shall be considered under the procedures set forth in subsections (c) and (d).
(b)

Proposal requirements
The legislative proposal submitted under subsection (a) shall provide for the following:
(1)
A reauthorization cycle under which, during any fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2021, any Federal program funded by discretionary spending that will expire during that fiscal year but that Congress does not want to terminate is reauthorized, pursuant to a legislation schedule as Congress deems appropriate, for a period not to exceed three years.
(2)
A sunset provision for any program so reauthorized that terminates any such program on the date that is not later than 3 years (as the case may be) after the date of such reauthorization.
(3)
With respect to any program that is unauthorized, as determined by Congress, a budgetary level reduction in the manner and amounts as provided under section 102.
(4)
A mechanism under which any such reduction may, with respect to any fiscal year, be nullified by the enactment into law, before such fiscal year begins, of a measure reducing direct spending in an amount equal to the total amount of any budgetary level reduction that is expected to occur under procedures established pursuant to paragraph (3). Such reduction may occur over a period not to exceed ten years following the fiscal year in which such measure is enacted.
(c)

Procedure in the House
(1)

Introduction and referral
(A)

In general
Not later than 120 days after the date that a proposal is submitted under subsection (a), the chair of the Commission, or a Member of the Commission designated by the chair, shall introduce in the House of Representatives, not later than 60 days thereafter, a bill to carry out the proposal. The bill introduced may take into consideration any recommendations of any Member or standing committee of the House of Representatives to amend such proposal to the Commission, but only if the recommendations are submitted not later than 60 days after the proposal is submitted under subsection (a).
(B)

Referral
Any committee of the House of Representatives to which a bill introduced under subparagraph (A) is referred shall report it to the House without amendment not later than the fifth legislative day after the date of its introduction. If a committee fails to report the bill without amendment within that period or the House has adopted a concurrent resolution providing for adjournment sine die at the end of a Congress, such committee shall be automatically discharged from further consideration of the bill and it shall be placed without amendment on the appropriate calendar.
(2)

Expedited consideration in the House
(A)

In general
Not later than five legislative days after the bill introduced under paragraph (1)(A) is reported or the committees of referral have been discharged from further consideration thereof, it shall be in order to move to proceed to consider the bill in the House. Such a motion shall be in order only at a time designated by the Speaker in the legislative schedule within two legislative days after the day on which the proponent announces an intention to the House to offer the motion. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the motion to its adoption without intervening motion.
(B)

Consideration
If the motion to proceed is agreed to, the House shall immediately proceed to consider the bill introduced under paragraph (1)(A) in the House without intervening motion. Such bill shall be considered as read. All points of order against such bill and against its consideration are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on such bill to its passage without intervening motion except 2 hours of debate equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent and one motion to limit debate on the bill.