Audit the Pentagon Act of 2023

Audit the Pentagon Act of 2023

This bill requires defense spending reductions during any fiscal year after FY2022 where the Comptroller of the Department of Defense (DOD) fails to certify that a department, agency, or other element of DOD has achieved an unqualified opinion on its full financial statements. The amount of any reductions must be deposited in the Treasury and must be available for deficit reduction.

The bill excludes from any reductions accounts related to military personnel, reserve personnel, National Guard personnel, and the Defense Health Program.

The President may waive a reduction if the President certifies that a reduction would negatively affect (1) national security or members of the Armed Forces who are deployed in combat zones, or (2) the Defense Health Program account.

Bill 118 hr 2961, also known as the Audit the Pentagon Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of requiring the Department of Defense to undergo a comprehensive financial audit. The bill seeks to increase transparency and accountability within the Pentagon by ensuring that its financial practices are thoroughly examined and reported on.

If passed, the Audit the Pentagon Act of 2023 would mandate that the Department of Defense undergo an annual audit conducted by an independent third-party auditor. This audit would assess the accuracy and reliability of the Pentagon's financial statements, as well as its compliance with federal financial management laws and regulations.

The bill also includes provisions for the establishment of a Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness Plan, which would outline the steps the Department of Defense must take to address any deficiencies identified during the audit process. Additionally, the legislation calls for the creation of a publicly accessible website where the results of the audits would be posted for the American people to review. Overall, the Audit the Pentagon Act of 2023 aims to promote fiscal responsibility and ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent efficiently and effectively within the Department of Defense. By requiring the Pentagon to undergo regular financial audits, the bill seeks to hold the agency accountable for its financial practices and promote greater transparency in government spending.