This bill enforces budget discipline by mandating automatic funding cuts for federal programs lacking current congressional authorization, escalating over three years, and potentially leading to termination unless reauthorized with a sunset clause.
Katherine "Kat" Cammack
Representative
FL-3
The Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act establishes a three-year cycle, starting in 2026, to reduce funding for federal programs lacking proper authorization. Programs that have not been reauthorized will face annual budget cuts, and programs unauthorized for three consecutive years will be terminated. Reauthorization of a program with a sunset clause of three years or less can exempt it from these budget cuts. This act aims to ensure fiscal responsibility and congressional oversight of federal spending.
New 'Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act' Triggers Automatic Budget Cuts for Programs Without Congressional Reauthorization, Starting 2026
The "Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act" sets up a ticking clock for federal programs. Starting in 2026, any program that hasn't been explicitly reauthorized by Congress will face automatic budget cuts, potentially leading to termination if no action is taken within three years.
Funding on the Chopping Block
This bill introduces a three-year cycle of cuts for "unauthorized programs" – basically, any program that Congress hasn't formally renewed. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) publishes an annual list of these programs, and that list is the trigger. In the first year after a program's authorization expires, its budget gets slashed by 10% of what it received in its last authorized year. In the second and third years, it's cut by another 15% each year. If a program goes three years without reauthorization, it's terminated entirely, effective October 1 of the following year. Think of it like a use-it-or-lose-it policy for Congressional approval.
For example, if a program that helped farmers with drought relief had a budget of $100 million in its last authorized year (say, 2025) but wasn't reauthorized, it would only get $90 million in 2027, $75 million in 2028, and $60 million in 2029. If Congress still hadn't reauthorized it by the start of fiscal year 2030, the program would shut down. Any unspent funds could still be used for existing obligations, but no new money could be committed. (SEC. 3 & 4)
The Three-Year Itch
There's a catch, though. Programs can avoid these cuts if they are reauthorized, but only if that reauthorization includes a "sunset clause" limiting their funding to a maximum of three years (SEC. 5). This means Congress can't just give a program a permanent green light; they have to keep revisiting it every few years. This could create instability, forcing even essential programs to justify their existence repeatedly. It could also incentivize short-term fixes over long-term solutions, as programs are constantly up for renewal.
Real-World Rumble
This bill aims to tighten the reins on government spending and force Congress to be more proactive in overseeing programs. It could lead to some programs being cut or eliminated if they're deemed outdated or ineffective. However, it also creates a risk. If Congress gets bogged down in gridlock, important programs could lose funding simply because lawmakers can't agree on reauthorization, even if the programs themselves are valuable. This might hit programs that lack strong lobbying support or are politically unpopular, regardless of how well they actually serve the public. The reliance on the CBO's report also raises questions, as that report's accuracy and potential political influence could become points of contention.