To amend the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require prior approval from Congress before the Comptroller General may pursue a civil action under such Act, and for other purposes.

Summary

Makes the Comptroller General’s ability to sue to enforce the Impoundment Control Act contingent on prior congressional approval: the Comptroller General may bring a civil enforcement action only if Congress first adopts a concurrent resolution authorizing that action. The change limits GAO’s independent ability to seek judicial remedies for alleged improper impoundments and shifts the decision to authorize such litigation to Congress.

• Requires Congress to pass a concurrent resolution before the Comptroller General can file a civil suit to enforce the Impoundment Control Act.
• Conditions GAO’s judicial enforcement role on prior congressional authorization, reducing GAO’s independent discretion to litigate.
• Shifts gatekeeping power over enforcement from an independent auditor to the political branches (the two chambers of Congress).
• Likely slows or limits challenges to executive impoundments because a separate congressional vote is required before litigation.
• Does not create new spending, change appropriations, or specify an effective date.
• Could increase political influence over whether alleged impoundments are litigated, raising separation-of-powers and oversight concerns.
• Does not alter other oversight mechanisms or the substantive standards of the Impoundment Control Act — it changes only the conditions for GAO-initiated court actions.