Implementing DOGE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 199
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Economics and Public Finance
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-21T15:52:43Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Implementing Decreases in Overall Government Expenditures Act" (or "Implementing DOGE Act"), aims to automatically reduce federal spending by rescinding portions of nonsecurity discretionary appropriations (funding for programs outside national defense and security) that exceed a 1% growth rate from the previous fiscal year. This is intended to enforce fiscal restraint and limit overall government expenditures.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Budget authority: Refers to the legal authorization for federal agencies to spend money, as defined in existing federal budget law.
- Discretionary appropriations: Funds allocated annually by Congress for federal programs, separate from mandatory spending like Social Security.
- Security category: Includes defense and certain homeland security spending.
- Nonsecurity discretionary appropriations: Discretionary funds not in the security category, such as for education, healthcare, and environmental programs.
- Excess growth percent: The amount by which total annual appropriations exceed the previous fiscal year's level by more than 1%.
- Regular appropriation Act: Annual spending bills passed by Congress, including continuing resolutions that temporarily fund the government.
- Rescission Mechanism:
- Starting in fiscal year 2026 and for every fiscal year after, once full-year appropriations are available (through September 30), the "excess growth percent" of nonsecurity discretionary appropriations is automatically canceled (rescinded) on a pro rata basis—meaning cuts are applied proportionally across all affected programs and agencies.
- This applies only to growth above 1% compared to the prior year and targets nonsecurity spending only.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new automatic across-the-board cut (rescission) for nonsecurity discretionary spending, which was not previously mandated in federal budget laws like the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 or the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
- Shifts from voluntary congressional budgeting to an enforced cap on spending growth, limiting flexibility in annual appropriations while exempting security-related funds.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Nonsecurity agencies (e.g., those handling education, housing, or scientific research) would face automatic budget reductions for any growth over 1%, potentially leading to program cuts, staff reductions, or delayed initiatives.
- On Citizens: Individuals relying on federally funded nonsecurity programs—such as low-income assistance, public health services, or environmental protections—could experience reduced services or benefits, though the exact effects depend on how agencies allocate the cuts.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic discretionary spending and excludes security (defense) funding, which often involves foreign affairs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies and Programs: Primarily those funded through nonsecurity discretionary appropriations, including departments like Education, Health and Human Services, and Interior.
- Congress: The House and Senate Appropriations Committees, which draft spending bills, would have less control over budgets due to the automatic rescissions.
- Taxpayers and the Economy: Proponents may see it as promoting fiscal responsibility and reducing deficits; affected program beneficiaries could face service disruptions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Builds on existing budget enforcement tools (like sequestration) but creates a permanent, self-executing rescission process, potentially challenging executive implementation if disputes arise over calculations or exemptions. It relies on Congress's power to control appropriations but could invite lawsuits if seen as impeding agency operations.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's constitutional authority over federal spending (Article I, Section 9), as this is a law passed by Congress to constrain its own future actions, rather than an executive overreach.
- Political: Represents a push for spending cuts, possibly appealing to fiscal conservatives, but could spark partisan debates over protecting essential programs. It may influence future budget negotiations by creating a baseline growth limit, potentially reducing overall federal spending by billions annually depending on appropriation levels.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Implementing Decreases in Overall Government Expenditures Act — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (3 pages)