Less is More Resolution

Subjects: Congress, Appropriations, Budget process, House of Representatives, Legislative rules and procedure

Summary:  <p><b>Less is More Resolution</b></p> <p>This resolution prohibits consideration of legislation in the House of Representatives if the legislation authorizes or appropriates funding for a new program without also reducing funding for at least two other federal programs. Each reduction must equal or exceed the amount authorized or appropriated for the new program.</p>

<html><body><pre>[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 18 Introduced in House (IH)]

&lt;DOC&gt;






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 18

  Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the 
introduction or consideration of certain legislation that authorizes or 
  makes appropriations of funds for a Federal program not previously 
             authorized or funded, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 10, 2023

 Mr. Good of Virginia (for himself, Mr. Massie, Mr. Biggs, Mr. Perry, 
Mrs. Miller of Illinois, Mr. Moore of Alabama, and Mr. Cloud) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules, 
    and in addition to the Committee on Ethics, 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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the 
introduction or consideration of certain legislation that authorizes or 
  makes appropriations of funds for a Federal program not previously 
             authorized or funded, and for other purposes.

    Resolved,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This resolution may be cited as the ``Less is More Resolution''.

SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN LEGISLATION PROPOSING NEW FEDERAL 
              PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Rule XII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives is amended by adding at the end the following new 
clause:
``Prohibition on certain legislation proposing new Federal programs
    ``9.(a) A bill, resolution, or conference report, or an amendment 
thereto, that authorizes the appropriation of funds or makes 
appropriations for a Federal program not previously authorized or 
funded may not be introduced or considered in the House unless the 
measure includes a provision providing for a reduction in Federal 
funding with respect to not less than 2 Federal programs and each such 
reduction is equal to or greater than the amount authorized or 
appropriated with respect to the Federal program in such measure.
    ``(b) For the purposes of this clause, the term `program' has the 
meaning given such term in section 1122(a) of title 31, United States 
Code.''.
    (b) Written Statement Requirement.--Rule XXIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives is amended--
            (1) by redesignating clause 22 as clause 23; and
            (2) by inserting after clause 21 the following new clause:
    ``22.(a) A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who 
introduces a bill, resolution, or conference report, or an amendment 
thereto, that authorizes the appropriation of funds or makes 
appropriations for a Federal program not previously authorized or 
funded shall provide a written statement to the chair and ranking 
minority member of the committee of jurisdiction that includes the name 
of the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner and a certification 
that the measure complies with the requirements of clause 9 of rule 
XII.
    ``(b) Each committee shall maintain the information transmitted 
under paragraph (a), and the written statement included in any measure 
reported by the committee or conference report filed by the chair of 
the committee or any subcommittee thereof shall be open for public 
inspection.
    ``(c) For the purposes of this clause, the term `program' has the 
meaning given such term in section 1122(a) of title 31, United States 
Code.''.
                                 &lt;all&gt;
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