# 119-s-3951: Balanced Budget Responsibility Act of 2026

119-s-3951, Balanced Budget Responsibility Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL] (R-FL); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3951
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-3951
- Congress: 119
- Title: Balanced Budget Responsibility Act of 2026
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-02-26
- Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL] (R-FL)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**Gives the President a new, unilateral tool to withhold federal funds to eliminate a projected deficit.** This bill would let the President, after consulting the Treasury Secretary and the Office of Management and Budget, decline to obligate "covered budgetary resources" up to the amount needed to remove a fiscal year deficit and it would override the Impoundment Control Act while excluding funds for Medicare and the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program. - President and Executive branch: The President would gain clear authority to withhold non-exempt budgetary resources to target a projected deficit. This creates a discretionary lever to change spending levels without new legislation. - Federal agencies and programs funded by discretionary or direct spending: Agencies could see available obligations reduced for a fiscal year if the President exercises the authority, which could delay or shrink planned spending. - Medicare and Social Security OASI beneficiaries: Funds for Medicare and the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program are explicitly excluded from withholding, so those payments are protected. *If used, this power would allow the President to reduce or eliminate a projected federal deficit by withholding covered funds.*

## Provisions PRIA read

- President can withhold federal funds: mixed, high. This bill would let the President delay or refuse to obligate most federal funds for a fiscal year. The President would make that decision only after consulting the Treasury Secretary and the Office of Management and Budget and determining a deficit will occur. The President could withhold up to th…

## Related bills

- 119-s-2120: Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025
- 119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act
- 119-s-4782: ReportScams.gov Act
- 119-s-4280: SAFE Act
- 119-s-690: Overdose RADAR Act

## Sources
- [119-s-3951 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3951)

## Related
- [119-s-2120: Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2120)
- [119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1541)
- [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748)
- [119-s-4782: ReportScams.gov Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4782)
- [119-s-4280: SAFE Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4280)
- [119-s-690: Overdose RADAR Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-690)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3951 (as of 2026-04-21).