Congressional Power of the Purse Act
Sponsored By: Representative Boyle (PA)
Introduced
Summary
Congressional power of the purse would be strengthened through new reporting rules, tighter limits on withholding or rescinding funds, and stronger enforcement tools against agencies and officials. It would also sharply shorten and increase congressional review of presidential emergency authorities while requiring more public transparency.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More budget details in the President's plan
If enacted, the President's budgets for FY2027 through FY2031 would list cancelled and expired balances by agency and fund. The budget would explain any amounts above the lesser of 5% of the account or $100,000,000. It would also show obligations during any shutdown lasting 5 straight days or more and the legal exception used. For FY2027 only, it would list transfer or repurposing powers outside appropriation acts and how they were used in the prior three years.
Shorter national emergencies unless Congress agrees
If enacted, a national emergency would end after 45 calendar days unless Congress passes a joint resolution approving it. An emergency would also end after one year unless the President renews it and Congress approves the renewal. If Congress does not approve within 45 days, the President could not declare the same emergency again in that term. The President would need to publish the proclamation, list the legal powers used, and send reports every six months with spending estimates and actions taken. When an emergency ends, unused transferred funds would return to their original purpose and contracts made under emergency powers would be terminated.
Stronger enforcement when funds are withheld
If enacted, the Government Accountability Office could demand records and interviews and usually get them within 20 days. GAO could sue in D.C. federal court to force agencies to release information or make funds available, with a 15-day notice to leaders unless delay would harm the public. Agencies would have to report violations immediately and include account details, amounts, dates, people responsible, and discipline taken. The Attorney General would review those reports, investigate possible crimes, and issue an annual summary by March 31. Knowing and willful violations could bring a fine up to $5,000, up to 2 years in prison, or both.
Cancel stale indefinite appropriations balances
If enacted, an indefinite appropriation would be canceled if the agency head or the President finds its purpose is complete and no disbursements were made for two straight fiscal years. Any remaining balance would no longer be available for obligation or spending.
Limits on impoundments and budget designations
If enacted, fast-track impoundment procedures would be paused from enactment until January 20, 2029. The bill would also remove language in a budget law that allowed later presidential designation after the fact. Together, these changes would make it harder to withhold or re-label funds without full congressional review.
Protect on-time use of approved funds
If enacted, agencies could not withhold funds during the last 90 days before those funds expire. Apportionments would have to make money available without extra conditions at least 90 days before expiration so it can be prudently obligated. Agencies would have to notify key House and Senate committees when an apportionment is late, is conditioned on further action, or may hinder prudent obligation. Notices must name the bureau, account, appropriation, and Treasury fund symbol.
Publish legal opinions and allow Member FOIA
If enacted, final Justice Department legal opinions on budget law would be posted online. New or updated opinions would be posted within 30 days; older ones would be posted within 1 to 4 years based on age. Withholding decisions would be public, last no more than 3 years, and require a detailed unclassified summary if text is kept back. The bill would also make clear that any Member of Congress could make a FOIA request.
Create an Inspector General at OMB
If enacted, the Office of Management and Budget would get a statutory Inspector General. The President would need to appoint this IG within 120 days. The IG's work would focus on duties assigned to OMB by law and compliance with legal requirements.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Boyle (PA)
PA • D
Cosponsors
Doggett
TX • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Scott (VA)
VA • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Peters
CA • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Panetta
CA • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Watson Coleman
NJ • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large]
VI • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Escobar
TX • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Omar
MN • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Balint
VT • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Kaptur
OH • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Jayapal
WA • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Tonko
NY • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Chu
CA • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
McGarvey
KY • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Amo
RI • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Ansari
AZ • D
Sponsored 9/10/2025
Fletcher
TX • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
McGovern
MA • D
Sponsored 9/16/2025
Evans (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 9/26/2025
Budzinski
IL • D
Sponsored 9/30/2025
Case
HI • D
Sponsored 9/30/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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