Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act
Sponsored By: Representative Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3]
In Committee
Summary
automatic, phased budget cuts for unauthorized federal programs would be triggered by a recurring three-year cycle beginning in fiscal year 2026. The bill would set specific reductions, transmission rules, and termination consequences for programs whose authorizations expire.
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- Families and program beneficiaries: Programs with expired authorizations would face a 10% funding cut in the first post-expiration year and 15% cuts in the second and third years, which could reduce services or benefits.
- Federal agencies and program managers: Any program still unauthorized after the third reduced year would be terminated effective October 1 of the following fiscal year, and remaining unobligated funds could be used only to close out prior obligations. No funds could be obligated for a terminated program without an explicit congressional authorization for a period of no more than three years.
- Congress and the budget process: Chairs of the House and Senate Budget Committees would transmit revised budgetary levels to Appropriations Committee chairs after each reduction, and Congress could halt and restore reductions by expressly reauthorizing a program with a sunset of up to three years.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Funding cuts for expired programs
Starting in fiscal year 2026, this would cut funding for federal programs whose authorizations have expired and appear on CBO’s annual list. In the first year after expiration, the set budget level would drop by 10% of the program’s last-year funding. In the second and third years it stays unauthorized, the set budget level would drop by 15% of that last-year funding. If a third-year cut happens, the program would end on October 1 of the next fiscal year. Unspent money could only close out valid past bills. Congress could stop cuts by reauthorizing that year, but the reauthorization must last no more than three years. After a termination, no money could be obligated unless Congress passes such a short reauthorization. Programs that expired before 2026 but are still funded would be treated as expiring in 2026 for these rules. Budget Committee chairs would send revised budget levels to the Appropriations chairs.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3]
FL • R
Cosponsors
Schmidt
KS • R
Sponsored 1/3/2025
Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7]
MI • R
Sponsored 1/21/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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