What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.4229 pass?
HR.4229 is still alive. Current stage: COMMITTEE. Pass likelihood: pending.
What does HR.4229 do?
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…
Who sponsored HR.4229?
HR.4229 was sponsored by Andy Harris (R-Maryland).
Full Bill Text
119 HR 4229 IH: 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. U.S. House of Representatives 2025-06-27 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4229 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 27, 2025 Mr. Harris of Maryland (for himself, Mrs. Miller of Illinois , Mr. Clyde , Ms. Boebert , Mr. Gosar , Mr. Gill of Texas , and Mr. Higgins of Louisiana ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Budget , and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL 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. Congressional approval before pursuing civil action under Impoundment Control Act of 1974 Section 1016 of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 ( 2 U.S.C. 687 ) is amended— (1) by striking If, and inserting (a) In general .—If, ; (2) by striking is hereby expressly empowered and inserting may, subject to approval by the Congress under subsection (b), ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (b) Prior congressional approval required The Comptroller General may not bring a civil action under subsection (a) unless the Congress has enacted a concurrent resolution authorizing the Comptroller General to bring such civil action. .
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