Bills · HR 143
REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 143AppropriationsBudget process
Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act
INTRO JAN 3· LAST ACTION DEC 2
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
2
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Reported, not passed
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it seeks to address the issue of "zombie programs" – government programs that continue to operate and receive funding despite their original legal authorization having expired. Currently, many programs can continue year after year without a fresh vote from Congress on their existence or purpose, leading to concerns about government waste and lack of accountability.
If this bill becomes law, it would force Congress to regularly review and explicitly decide whether to continue funding programs, potentially leading to more efficient government spending and greater oversight. If it doesn't become law, the current system would largely continue, allowing programs to persist without explicit reauthorization, which some argue can lead to outdated or ineffective programs continuing indefinitely. Voters should care because it impacts how their tax dollars are spent and whether government programs are regularly evaluated for their necessity and effectiveness.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes a three-year reduction cycle for unauthorized government programs, starting in fiscal year 2026.
This creates a clear, automatic process for identifying and addressing programs operating without current legal authority.
PROVISION 02
Requires a 10% reduction in the budgetary level for an unauthorized program in the first fiscal year after its authorization expires, followed by 15% reductions in the second and third years.
This directly targets funding for programs that Congress has not explicitly renewed, incentivizing reauthorization or termination.
PROVISION 03
Mandates the termination of any unauthorized program after the third year of reductions if it has not been reauthorized.
This provides a definitive end date for programs lacking current Congressional approval, preventing their indefinite continuation.
PROVISION 04
Allows programs to avoid reductions and termination if Congress reauthorizes them with a sunset provision of no more than three years.
This provides a mechanism for Congress to continue valuable programs while still enforcing regular review and accountability.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 2
R· Florida
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
27
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 2 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
7 EVENTSDEC 2
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
DEC 2
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 19.
JAN 3
Introduced in House
JAN 3
Introduced in House
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 143
Congress119th
StatusReported
IntroducedJan 3, 2025
Last actionDec 2, 2025
READER REACTIONS
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REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS · BUDGET COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 3, 2025
House BillHR 143AppropriationsBudget process
Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act
INTRODUCED JAN 3, 2025· LAST ACTION DEC 2, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
2
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
