Federal RuleAug 21
62
DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
119-hr-3454119th Congress
Protecting Our Constitution and Communities Act
Sponsored By: Representative Liccardo, Sam T. [D-CA-16]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a private right of action for impoundment of federal funds. The bill lets private parties, states, local governments, and certain federal employees sue when the Executive withholds or impounds money Congress has appropriated and strengthens congressional control over spending.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
People and states can sue for withheld funds
If enacted, people, states, and local governments could sue when required federal funds are withheld. A court could order injunctions and award money. Damages would be the greater of actual damages or $1,000 per harmed person per violation. If a court finds bad faith, it would triple the award. Federal employees could be personally liable for knowing violations, and immunity defenses would be waived. Withholding required funds would count as a final agency action that courts can review. This would not stop the President from proposing legal deferrals or rescissions under existing law.
Stronger oversight and who can be sued
If enacted, GAO’s legal views on key budget rules would get strong deference. Agencies would have to give GAO needed records, and ignoring a GAO impoundment finding would be reported to Congress. The bill would define “contingencies” as unforeseen, urgent, and temporary needs within legal limits. It would spell out who counts as a “State,” including DC and U.S. territories, for suits. It would also define “Federal employee” and “political appointee,” so covered officials could face suits for knowing violations.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Liccardo, Sam T. [D-CA-16]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]
RI • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]
MD • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]
LA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]
AZ • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]
GA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
OH • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]
FL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
TN • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
MO • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large]
PR • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]
MA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]
LA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]
NV • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]
MD • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]
TX • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]
VA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30]
TX • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]
WA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10]
IL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/6/2025
Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/6/2025
Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/6/2025
Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/6/2025
Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7]
TX • D
Sponsored 6/6/2025
Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov