Statement on House Appropriations Committee’s Inclusion of Pro-Democracy Reforms in FY 2023 Appropriations Bill
The FY 2023 bill includes several other important provisions. Section 747 ensures that Congress is notified when the executive branch declines to spend money Congress appropriated, in violation of the Impoundment Control Act. Sections 748 and 749 strengthen the Government Accountability Office’s ability to investigate violations of the Impoundment Control Act and other budget and appropriations laws. And Section 750 ensures that agencies notify Congress if delays or conditions on apportionments could prevent the timely obligation of funds.
At a time when Americans are facing record levels of financial hardship and when the government’s fiscal outlook has become “unsustainable,” according to the Government Accountability Office, it is more important than ever that Congress and the public have more control over and insight into how the nation’s precious fiscal resources are being used. This is part of why we applaud the Committee for these meritorious provisions, which will help ensure Congress has the tools it needs to exercise its power of the purse and oversee the use of taxpayer dollars. We urge both chambers of Congress to include these provisions in any final FY 2023 appropriations legislation.
Demand Progress
FreedomWorks
National Taxpayers Union
Project on Government Oversight
Protect Democracy
R Street Institute
Taxpayers for Common Sense