Congressional Power of the Purse Act

This section temporarily suspends the fast-track procedures under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 until January 20, 2029. This means that any presidential proposals to rescind or defer budget authority would not be subject to expedited congressional consideration, effectively making it harder for a President to unilaterally withhold appropriated funds.

This section adds new requirements to the Impoundment Control Act, mandating that budget authority proposed for rescission, reservation, or deferral must be made available for obligation in sufficient time to be prudently obligated. It specifically prohibits deferring or withholding funds during the 90-day period before their expiration, including initial periods of availability. It also requires appropriations to be apportioned without preconditions that hinder prudent obligation, at least 90 days before expiration.

This section establishes administrative discipline, including suspension or removal from office, for federal officers or employees who withhold or cause to be withheld budget authority required to be made available. It also introduces a criminal penalty of up to $5,000 fine, 2 years imprisonment, or both, for knowingly and willfully violating these provisions. Furthermore, it mandates immediate reporting of violations to Congress, the Comptroller General, and relevant Inspector General, and requires the Attorney General to investigate potential criminal violations.

These sections mandate new detailed reporting requirements in the President's annual budget submission. This includes identifying unobligated expired balances, cancelled balances, explanations for significant balances, and a tabulation of indefinite appropriations. It also requires reporting on obligations and expenditures during lapses in appropriations, explanations of transfer/repurposing authorities, and detailed spending reports related to national emergency declarations, including any fund transfers or reprogrammings.

This section mandates that federal agencies must respond to written requests for information, documentation, or views from the Comptroller General (GAO) concerning budget or appropriations law decisions within 20 days, unless otherwise specified. Failure to comply allows the Comptroller General to notify Congress and bring a civil action in federal court to compel production of the requested information.

These sections amend existing law to enhance reporting requirements for Antideficiency Act (ADA) violations. Agencies must now report violations to the President, Congress, Comptroller General, and Attorney General, including detailed facts, amounts, individuals involved, and administrative discipline. The Attorney General is mandated to promptly review these reports and investigate potential knowing and willful criminal violations, submitting an annual report to Congress on these investigations. The GAO is also empowered to make reports to Congress if an agency fails to do so.

This section establishes an Inspector General (IG) for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The IG's jurisdiction is specifically limited to matters assigned to OMB under law, legal requirements delegated to OMB, or compliance with legal requirements. The President is required to appoint the IG within 120 days of enactment.

This section mandates the public publication of final Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) opinions related to budget and appropriations law. It sets specific timelines for publication, ranging from 30 days for new opinions to 4 years for older ones, on a searchable, sortable, and downloadable public website. It includes limited exceptions for withholding information (e.g., national security, executive privilege), requiring detailed written justifications for any withholdings and unclassified summaries for substantially withheld opinions.

This section fundamentally alters the National Emergencies Act, requiring congressional approval for new national emergency declarations and their renewals. A declaration is temporary (45 days) unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted. The President must specify the statutory powers to be exercised. If Congress does not approve an emergency or specific power, the President is prohibited from re-declaring that emergency or exercising that power for the remainder of their term under the same circumstances. It also sets strict procedures for congressional consideration of approval resolutions.

This section expands reporting requirements under the National Emergencies Act. The President must transmit a detailed written report to Congress with any emergency proclamation or renewal, describing the circumstances, estimated duration, intended actions, statutory authorities, and estimated expenditures. For renewals, it requires a summary of actions taken in the preceding year. Periodic reports (every 6 months) on the status, expenditures, and actions taken during an emergency are also mandated.

This section creates a new Title VI in the National Emergencies Act, specifically for emergencies where the President only proposes to exercise powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The new, more stringent congressional review process (Title II) does not apply to these IEEPA-only emergencies. However, if the President proposes to use any other emergency powers in addition to IEEPA, the full Title II review process would apply.

This section requires the President to submit all Presidential Emergency Action Documents (PEADs) to appropriate congressional committees within 3 days of their approval, adoption, or revision. PEADs in existence before enactment must be submitted within 15 days. It grants specific House and Senate committees (Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs in the Senate, Oversight and Accountability in the House) continuing legislative oversight jurisdiction and access to all PEADs, ensuring their chairpersons, ranking members, and designated staff receive necessary security clearances.