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119th Congress

H.R. 4229

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.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor
Andy Harris(R-MD)
Introduced
Jun 27, 2025
Policy area
Economics and Public Finance
Committees
House Committee on the Budget; House Committee on the Judiciary
Official text
Introduced in House · Congress.gov page

Cosponsors (6)

Original cosponsors (6)

Summary

Summary by the Congressional Research Service· describes the “Introduced in House” version

This bill prohibits the Government Accountability Office (GAO) from bringing a civil action under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (ICA) to compel the release of appropriated funds unless Congress has enacted a concurrent resolution authorizing GAO to bring the action. The ICA generally limits the authority of the President to impound (i.e., withhold from obligation or expenditure) funds that have been appropriated by Congress and establishes related procedures. Under current law, GAO is authorized to bring a civil action to compel a federal agency to release budget authority for obligation if the budget authority is required to be released under the ICA, and the agency has not released the funds. This bill prohibits GAO from bringing such an action without prior congressional approval.

Roll-call votes

No recorded votes on this bill.

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