I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2056 
To provide for a reauthorizing schedule for unauthorized Federal programs, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 18, 2021 
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington (for herself, Mr. PALMER, Mrs. LESKO, Mr. 
ALLEN, Mr. FERGUSON, Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania, Mr. BAIRD, Mr. 
CLOUD, Mr. BUDD, Mr. NORMAN, Mr. MCCLINTOCK, Mr. PERRY, Mr. 
DUNCAN, Mr. STEWART, Mr. KELLER, Mr. ARRINGTON, Mr. OWENS, Mr. 
OBERNOLTE, Mr. MANN, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr. LATURNER, Mr. DONALDS, 
Mr. WEBER of Texas, Mr. HICE of Georgia, Ms. HERRELL, and Mr. 
JOHNSON of South Dakota) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the 
Committees on Rules, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To provide for a reauthorizing schedule for unauthorized 
Federal programs, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act of 2021’’. 
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(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—SUNSET OF UNAUTHORIZED PROGRAMS 
Sec. 101. Establishment of budgetary level reduction schedule. 
Sec. 102. Reduction in budgetary level for unauthorized programs. 
Sec. 103. Termination of unauthorized programs after third unauthorized year. 
Sec. 104. Exemption from budgetary level reduction. 
Sec. 105. Offset of budgetary level reduction through reduction in direct spend-
ing. 
Sec. 106. Sunset. 
TITLE II—SPENDING AND ACCOUNTABILITY COMMISSION 
Sec. 201. Establishment. 
Sec. 202. Duties of Commission. 
Sec. 203. Membership. 
Sec. 204. Powers of Commission. 
Sec. 205. Personnel and other administrative matters. 
Sec. 206. Funding. 
TITLE III—REAUTHORIZATION CYCLE FOR DISCRETIONARY 
PROGRAMS 
Sec. 301. Establishment of reauthorization schedule. 
TITLE I—SUNSET OF 
UNAUTHORIZED PROGRAMS 
SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF BUDGETARY LEVEL REDUC-
TION SCHEDULE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is hereby established a re-
occurring three-year budgetary level reduction cycle with 
respect to any unauthorized program, to begin in fiscal 
year 2021, consistent with the requirements of this Act. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this Act: 
(1) BUDGETARY LEVEL.—The term ‘‘budgetary 
level’’ means the allocation made under section 
302(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 
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U.S.C. 633(a)) to the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives or the Senate in a 
concurrent resolution on the budget for a fiscal year, 
and includes any such allocation made pursuant to 
a deeming resolution. 
(2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the Spending and Accountability Commission 
established under title II. 
(3) EXPIRING FISCAL YEAR.—The term ‘‘expir-
ing fiscal year’’ means, with respect to an unauthor-
ized program, the fiscal year during which author-
izations of appropriations will expire for such pro-
gram. 
(4) UNAUTHORIZED PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘un-
authorized program’’ means any program or activity 
listed in the annual report published by the Congres-
sional Budget Office, entitled ‘‘Expired and Expiring 
Authorizations of Appropriations’’, or any successor 
report, with respect to which authorizations of ap-
propriations will expire during the fiscal year in 
which such report is published. 
(c) APPLICATION TO PROGRAMS THAT EXPIRED BE-
FORE FISCAL YEAR 2021.—For purposes of applying this 
Act to any unauthorized program funded during fiscal 
year 2021 and for which authorizations of appropriations 
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expired before such fiscal year, such program shall be 
deemed to be a program or activity listed in the report 
referred to in subsection (b)(4) with respect to which au-
thorizations of appropriations will expire during fiscal year 
2021. 
SEC. 102. REDUCTION IN BUDGETARY LEVEL FOR UNAU-
THORIZED PROGRAMS. 
(a) BUDGETARY LEVEL
FOR FISCAL YEAR FOL-
LOWING EXPIRATION OF AUTHORIZATION.—With respect 
to any unauthorized program, on the date that a budg-
etary level is established for the fiscal year immediately 
following the expiring fiscal year, such level shall imme-
diately be reduced by an amount equal to 10 percent of 
the funds appropriated for such program in the expiring 
fiscal year. 
(b) BUDGETARY LEVEL FOR SECOND AND THIRD 
FISCAL YEARS FOLLOWING EXPIRATION OF AUTHORIZA-
TION.—With respect to any unauthorized program that re-
sults in a budgetary level reduction under subsection (a) 
that remains an unauthorized program in the second or 
third fiscal year following the expiring fiscal year, on the 
date that a budgetary level is established for either such 
second or third fiscal year, the budgetary level for either 
such fiscal year shall be reduced by an amount equal to 
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15 percent of the funds appropriated for such program 
in the expiring fiscal year. 
(c) TRANSMITTAL OF NEW BUDGETARY LEVEL.— 
Upon the reduction of a budgetary level (if any) under 
subsection (a) or (b), the chair of the Committee on the 
Budget of the House of Representatives and the Senate 
shall submit the revised budgetary level to the chair of 
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Senate, respectively. 
SEC. 103. TERMINATION OF UNAUTHORIZED PROGRAMS 
AFTER THIRD UNAUTHORIZED YEAR. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Any unauthorized program that 
causes a budgetary level reduction under section 102(b) 
applicable to the third fiscal year following the expiring 
fiscal year shall, effective immediately on October 1 of the 
fiscal year immediately following such third fiscal year, be 
terminated, except that any unobligated amounts available 
for such program after the date of termination shall re-
main available for recording, adjusting, and liquidating 
valid obligations of such program issued before such ter-
mination date. 
(b) OBLIGATION OF FUNDS PROHIBITED WITHOUT 
REAUTHORIZATION.—No funds may be obligated for any 
program terminated pursuant to subsection (a) in any fis-
cal year without an express reauthorization of the program 
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by Congress containing an authorization of appropriations 
period not to exceed three years. 
SEC. 104. EXEMPTION FROM BUDGETARY LEVEL REDUC-
TION. 
(a) REAUTHORIZATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Consistent with paragraph 
(2)— 
(A) any unauthorized program that causes 
a budgetary level reduction applicable to a fiscal 
year under section 102 that is expressly reau-
thorized during the fiscal year in which such 
level is established shall not be subject to the 
requirements of this title; and 
(B) upon the date of such reauthorization, 
any such reduction shall be restored. 
(2) LIMITATION.—Paragraph (1) shall only 
apply if the reauthorization contains a sunset provi-
sion applicable to such program providing for an au-
thorization of appropriations period of not more 
than three years. 
(b) OFFSET BY REDUCTION IN DIRECT SPENDING.— 
Any budgetary level reduction provided for in this title 
shall not apply if, before the fiscal year during which such 
reduction will occur, a bill is enacted into law as described 
in section 105. 
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SEC. 105. OFFSET OF BUDGETARY LEVEL REDUCTION 
THROUGH REDUCTION IN DIRECT SPENDING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
end of fiscal year 2021 and any subsequent fiscal year 
during which this title remains applicable pursuant to sec-
tion 106, the Commission shall review Federal programs 
funded by direct spending. 
(b) REDUCTION IN DIRECT SPENDING.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Beginning in fiscal year 
2021, during any fiscal year that a budgetary level 
reduction under section 102 is expected to occur 
during the subsequent fiscal year by operation of 
this title, the Commission may submit to Congress 
a legislative proposal providing for reductions in di-
rect spending, to occur over a period of time not to 
exceed the next ten fiscal years, in an amount equal 
to the total amount of such reduction, as determined 
by the Commission. 
(2) EFFECT OF ENACTMENT.—If the proposal 
described under paragraph (1) is enacted into law 
before such subsequent fiscal year begins, the budg-
etary level reduction that would occur during such 
fiscal year as a result of this title shall have no force 
or effect during that fiscal year. 
(c) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘direct 
spending’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
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250(c)(8) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900(c)(8)). 
SEC. 106. SUNSET. 
This title shall sunset on the date that the legislative 
proposal described under section 301 is enacted into law. 
The previous sentence shall not apply if such proposal, as 
enacted, does not include budgetary level reductions with 
respect to unauthorized programs in the amounts provided 
in section 102. 
TITLE II—SPENDING AND 
ACCOUNTABILITY COMMISSION 
SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT. 
There is established in the legislature a permanent 
commission, to be known as the ‘‘Spending and Account-
ability Commission’’, in order to carry out section 105 and 
title III of this Act. 
SEC. 202. DUTIES OF COMMISSION. 
The Commission shall— 
(1) as described in section 105, conduct com-
prehensive reviews of all Federal programs funded 
through direct spending; and 
(2) as described in title III, provide a legislative 
proposal for an authorization cycle for Federal pro-
grams funded by discretionary spending. 
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SEC. 203. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission 
shall be composed of 14 members, as follows: 
(1) Seven members shall be appointed by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, of whom 
three shall be appointed in consultation with the mi-
nority leader of the House of Representatives. 
(2) Seven members shall be appointed by the 
majority leader of the Senate, of whom three shall 
be appointed in consultation with the minority leader 
of the Senate. 
(b) MEMBER POWERS
AND CRITERIA.—Any indi-
vidual appointed pursuant to subsection (a) shall be a vot-
ing member of the Commission and must be a Member 
of Congress (as defined in section 2106 of title 5, United 
States Code, but not including the Vice President). 
(c) CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP RE-
QUIREMENTS.—Each committee listed under paragraphs 
(1) through (7) shall have at least one Member on such 
committee appointed under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2): 
(1) The Committee on Appropriations of the 
House of Representatives. 
(2) The Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate. 
(3) The Committee on the Budget of the House 
of Representatives. 
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(4) The Committee on the Budget of the Sen-
ate. 
(5) The Committee on Ways and Means of the 
House of Representatives. 
(6) The Committee on Finance of the Senate. 
(7) The Joint Economic Committee. 
(d) CHAIR; VICE CHAIR.—The chair and vice chair 
of the Commission shall be selected by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives and the majority leader of the 
Senate. 
(e) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy on the Commission 
shall be filled in the same manner in which the original 
appointment was made. 
SEC. 204. POWERS OF COMMISSION. 
(a) HEARINGS
AND SESSIONS.—The Commission 
may, for the purpose of carrying out this title, hold such 
hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such 
testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission 
considers appropriate. The Commission may administer 
oaths to witnesses appearing before it. 
(b) OBTAINING
INFORMATION.—The Commission 
may secure directly from any agency information nec-
essary to enable it to carry out its duties under this title. 
Upon request of the chair, the head of that agency shall 
furnish that information to the Commission in a full and 
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timely manner. In carrying out the duties assigned under 
this title, the Commission may use any report or other 
information prepared by the Government Accountability 
Office, the Congressional Budget Office, or the Congres-
sional Research Service. 
(c) SUBPOENA POWER.— 
(1) AUTHORITY
TO
ISSUE
SUBPOENA.—The 
Commission may issue a subpoena to require the at-
tendance and testimony of witnesses and the produc-
tion of evidence relating to any matter under inves-
tigation by the Commission. 
(2) COMPLIANCE WITH SUBPOENA.—If a person 
refuses to obey an order or subpoena of the Commis-
sion that is issued in connection with a Commission 
proceeding, the Commission may apply to the United 
States district court in the judicial district in which 
the proceeding is held for an order requiring the per-
son to comply with the subpoena or order. 
(d) IMMUNITY.—The Commission is an agency of the 
United States for purposes of part V of title 18, United 
States Code (relating to immunity of witnesses). 
(e) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—The Commission may 
contract with and compensate government and private 
agencies or persons for services without regard to section 
6101 of title 41, United States Code (relating to adver-
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tising requirement for Federal Government purchases and 
sales). 
SEC. 205. PERSONNEL AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE MAT-
TERS. 
(a) PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
(1) COMPENSATION.—Members shall not be 
paid by reason of their service as members of the 
Commission. 
(2) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—Each member shall 
receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions 
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
(3) DIRECTOR.—The Commission shall have a 
Director who shall be appointed by the chair. The 
Director shall be paid at a rate not to exceed the 
maximum rate of basic pay for GS–15 of the Gen-
eral Schedule. 
(4) STAFF.—The Director may appoint and fix 
the pay of additional personnel as the Director con-
siders appropriate. 
(5) APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE 
LAWS.—The Director and staff of the Commission 
shall be appointed subject to the provisions of title 
5, United States Code, governing appointments in 
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the competitive service, and shall be paid in accord-
ance with the provisions of chapter 51 and sub-
chapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to 
classification and General Schedule pay rates. 
(b) OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.— 
(1) POSTAL
AND
PRINTING
SERVICES.—The 
Commission may use the United States mails and 
obtain printing and binding services in the same 
manner and under the same conditions as other 
agencies. 
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE
SUPPORT
SERVICES.— 
Upon the request of the Commission, the Adminis-
trator of General Services shall provide to the Com-
mission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative 
support services necessary for the Commission to 
carry out its duties under this title. 
(3) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Com-
mission may procure temporary and intermittent 
services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 206. FUNDING. 
(a) USE
OF EXISTING FUNDS.—The Commission 
shall be carried out using amounts otherwise appropriated 
or made available to the House of Representatives and the 
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Senate. No additional funds are authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out this Act. 
(b) ALLOCATION BETWEEN HOUSE AND SENATE.— 
Of the amounts used to carry out this title— 
(1) 50 percent shall be derived from the appli-
cable accounts of the House of Representatives; and 
(2) 50 percent shall be derived from the contin-
gent fund of the Senate. 
TITLE 
III—REAUTHORIZATION 
CYCLE FOR DISCRETIONARY 
PROGRAMS 
SEC. 301. ESTABLISHMENT OF REAUTHORIZATION SCHED-
ULE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall sub-
mit to Congress a legislative proposal, consistent with the 
requirements of subsection (b), that establishes a reau-
thorization schedule for Federal programs funded by dis-
cretionary spending. Such proposal shall be considered 
under the procedures set forth in subsections (c) and (d). 
(b) PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS.—The legislative pro-
posal submitted under subsection (a) shall provide for the 
following: 
(1) A reauthorization cycle under which, during 
any fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2021, any 
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Federal program funded by discretionary spending 
that will expire during that fiscal year but that Con-
gress does not want to terminate is reauthorized, 
pursuant to a legislation schedule as Congress deems 
appropriate, for a period not to exceed three years. 
(2) A sunset provision for any program so reau-
thorized that terminates any such program on the 
date that is not later than 3 years (as the case may 
be) after the date of such reauthorization. 
(3) With respect to any program that is unau-
thorized, as determined by Congress, a budgetary 
level reduction in the manner and amounts as pro-
vided under section 102. 
(4) A mechanism under which any such reduc-
tion may, with respect to any fiscal year, be nullified 
by the enactment into law, before such fiscal year 
begins, of a measure reducing direct spending in an 
amount equal to the total amount of any budgetary 
level reduction that is expected to occur under proce-
dures established pursuant to paragraph (3). Such 
reduction may occur over a period not to exceed ten 
years following the fiscal year in which such measure 
is enacted. 
(c) PROCEDURE IN THE HOUSE.— 
(1) INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL.— 
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(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 120 
days after the date that a proposal is submitted 
under subsection (a), the chair of the Commis-
sion, or a Member of the Commission des-
ignated by the chair, shall introduce in the 
House of Representatives, not later than 60 
days thereafter, a bill to carry out the proposal. 
The bill introduced may take into consideration 
any recommendations of any Member or stand-
ing committee of the House of Representatives 
to amend such proposal to the Commission, but 
only if the recommendations are submitted not 
later than 60 days after the proposal is sub-
mitted under subsection (a). 
(B) REFERRAL.—Any committee of the 
House of Representatives to which a bill intro-
duced under subparagraph (A) is referred shall 
report it to the House without amendment not 
later than the fifth legislative day after the date 
of its introduction. If a committee fails to re-
port the bill without amendment within that pe-
riod or the House has adopted a concurrent res-
olution providing for adjournment sine die at 
the end of a Congress, such committee shall be 
automatically discharged from further consider-
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