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119-hr-2180119th Congress
Keep the Watchdogs Running Act
Sponsored By: Representative Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would ensure watchdogs stay running during funding gaps. It would add a new subsection to 5 U.S.C. 406(g) that lets an Inspector General incur obligations in advance of appropriations and perform the Office's duties for any program or operation that continues during a lapse in appropriations.
Show full summary
- Inspectors General offices would be allowed to incur obligations in advance of appropriations for amounts necessary and at rates and under the authority and conditions of the most recently enacted appropriations acts. These powers apply notwithstanding other law.
- Oversight of programs that keep operating during a funding lapse would continue because IGs could perform their Office duties with respect to those programs and operations.
- The bill creates an explicit legal basis for IG activity during lapses so oversight does not automatically stop when appropriations lapse.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Keep watchdog oversight running in shutdowns
If enacted, federal agency watchdogs (Inspectors General) would be able to keep working during a government shutdown. They could incur obligations before new funding arrives, but only what is necessary and at a rate for operations. They would have to follow the rules and limits in the most recent appropriations laws. This would cover oversight of any agency programs that continue running during the lapse.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
VA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/21/2025
Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20]
TX • D
Sponsored 3/21/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 3/21/2025
Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]
IL • D
Sponsored 3/21/2025
Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
GA • D
Sponsored 3/21/2025
Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]
FL • D
Sponsored 3/21/2025
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 3/21/2025
Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/21/2025
Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
NM • D
Sponsored 3/21/2025
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/21/2025
Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
CO • D
Sponsored 3/27/2025
Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/27/2025
Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]
WI • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]
IN • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/7/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov