To amend the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require prior approval from Congress before the Comptroller General may pursue a civil action under such Act, and for other purposes.
To amend the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require prior approval from Congress before the Comptroller General may pursue a civil action under such Act, and for other purposes.
Plain Language Summary
# HR 4229 Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would change the rules for how the Government Accountability Office (GAO)—Congress's independent watchdog agency—can enforce laws about federal spending. Currently, if an agency refuses to release money that Congress has appropriated, the GAO can sue to force the release. This bill would require Congress to pass a special approval (a concurrent resolution) before the GAO could take any such legal action. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects the executive branch (federal agencies) and Congress itself.
It could impact any situation where a president tries to withhold or delay spending money that Congress has already approved. The change would give Congress more direct control over enforcement of budget laws, though supporters argue it prevents the GAO from acting independently without political oversight, while critics might contend it limits the GAO's ability to protect congressional budget authority. **Current Status:** HR 4229 was introduced by Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House.
CRS Official Summary
This bill prohibits the Government Accountability Office (GAO) from bringing a civil action under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (ICA) to compel the release of appropriated funds unless Congress has enacted a concurrent resolution authorizing GAO to bring the action.The ICA generally limits the authority of the President to impound (i.e., withhold from obligation or expenditure) funds that have been appropriated by Congress and establishes related procedures. Under current law, GAO is authorized to bring a civil action to compel a federal agency to release budget authority for obligation if the budget authority is required to be released under the ICA, and the agency has not released the funds. This bill prohibits GAO from bringing such an action without prior congressional approval.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.