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S5670119th Congress

A bill to ensure the prudent obligation of budget authority, and for other purposes.

Sponsored By: Senator Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

Introduced

Summary

Timely and prudent obligation of expiring budget authority. This bill would require agencies to make budget authority proposed for rescission, reservation, or deferral available early enough to be prudently obligated and would invalidate a specific September 25, 2026 rescission message.

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  • Agencies: Would have to ensure proposed rescinded, reserved, or deferred funds are available in time to be prudently obligated and may not withhold obligation during the 90 days before a fund's expiration.
  • Apportionment officials: Would have to apportion appropriations so all amounts are available for obligation without any preconditions and no later than 90 days before the period of availability ends.
  • Specific rescission: The special message dated September 25, 2026 would have no force or effect, nullifying that rescission proposal.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Cancel September 25, 2026 rescission

If enacted, the bill would state that the special message dated September 25, 2026, submitted under the Impoundment Control Act would have no force or effect. This would nullify the rescission proposal in that message. The bill text does not identify the programs or amounts affected by that rescission proposal.

Require timely release of expiring funds

If enacted, the bill would require agencies to make funds that are proposed for rescission, reservation, or deferral available in time to be prudently obligated. It would bar deferring or withholding such budget authority during the last 90 days before the funds expire, including an initial 90-day period when applicable. The bill would also require apportioned appropriations to be made available without any precondition at least 90 days before the end of their availability so agencies can obligate the money.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

OR • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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