Balanced Budget Responsibility Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced
Summary
Gives the President authority to withhold non-excluded federal funds up to the size of a projected deficit. This bill would let the President, after consulting the Treasury Secretary and the Office of Management and Budget Director, decline to obligate covered budgetary resources to eliminate or avoid a fiscal year deficit while keeping Medicare and Social Security funding off limits.
Show full summary
- Executive branch: Grants a statutory override to the Impoundment Control Act so the President could target withholding of covered funds to close a projected deficit.
- Federal programs and agencies: Non-excluded programs could face reduced or delayed obligations, changing the timing and level of federal payments and operations.
- Seniors and beneficiaries: Funding for Medicare and Social Security is explicitly excluded from withholding and remains protected.
*If used, this authority would enable the President to withhold up to the deficit amount from covered resources to eliminate or avoid a projected fiscal year deficit.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
President can withhold federal funds
If enacted, the President would be able to decline to obligate certain federal budget funds for a fiscal year when the President determines there will be a deficit. The President would have to consult the Secretary of the Treasury and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget first. The amount held back could not be more than the amount needed to eliminate that year's deficit. This authority would apply even if it conflicts with the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 and would not apply to Medicare (title XVIII) or Social Security (OASDI, title II). Covered budgetary resources would include discretionary appropriations and direct spending as defined in section 250(c) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, and "deficit" would be defined by reference to section 3 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Scott, Rick [R-FL]
FL • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov