Congressional Power of the Purse Act

This bill strengthens Congress’s control over federal spending and adds new transparency rules. It tightens how agencies release money that Congress has approved, requires notices when release schedules could slow programs, and lets the Government Accountability Office (GAO) quickly get information and, if needed, go to court to enforce the law. It also expands reporting when the Antideficiency Act is broken (that law bars spending money that isn’t available). The President’s budget must now show more detail about expired or canceled funds, spending during shutdowns, any authority used to shift money, and what was spent under national emergency powers. Some long‑standing “no‑year” accounts can be canceled if the purpose is finished and no money has moved for two years. The Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel must post many of its final legal opinions online on a set schedule, with limited national security and privacy exceptions.

It also rewrites parts of the National Emergencies Act. Any new emergency ends after 45 days unless Congress votes to approve it, and renewals also need approval. If not approved, the President cannot declare the same emergency again or use the same powers for it during that term. When an emergency ends, unused, shifted funds go back to their original purpose and emergency contracts end. The White House must regularly report what it is doing and spending during an emergency, and it must quickly share presidential emergency action documents with Congress. These emergency rules take effect at enactment for new emergencies and also apply when renewing existing ones.

• Who is affected: The President and federal agencies (spending and emergency actions), GAO, and the public through clearer information.
• What changes: Faster agency responses to GAO requests; earlier, cleaner release of funds; more budget reporting; creation of an Inspector General at the Office of Management and Budget; online posting of final OLC opinions; stricter limits and reporting for national emergencies.
• When: Most parts take effect upon enactment. The emergency rules apply to new emergencies and to renewals of current ones.