A bill to require agencies submit zero-based budgets.

1/23/2025, 11:56 AM
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Bill 119 s 181, also known as the "Zero-Based Budgeting Act," is a proposed piece of legislation that would require federal agencies to submit zero-based budgets. Zero-based budgeting is a budgeting process where each department or program's budget starts from zero each year, and funding must be justified for each expense.

Under this bill, agencies would be required to thoroughly review and justify all expenses in their budgets, rather than simply making incremental changes from the previous year's budget. This would ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent efficiently and effectively, and that agencies are not simply continuing to fund programs that may no longer be necessary or effective.

Proponents of the bill argue that zero-based budgeting can lead to greater accountability and transparency in government spending, as well as potentially identifying areas where funds can be reallocated to more pressing needs. However, critics of the bill may argue that implementing zero-based budgeting could be time-consuming and costly for agencies, and may not necessarily lead to significant cost savings. Overall, Bill 119 s 181 aims to promote responsible and efficient use of taxpayer dollars by requiring federal agencies to justify their budgets from the ground up. It will be interesting to see how this proposed legislation progresses through Congress and what impact it may have on government spending practices.
Congress
119

Number
S - 181

Introduced on
2025-01-22

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Bill 119 s 181, also known as the "Zero-Based Budgeting Act," is a proposed piece of legislation that would require federal agencies to submit zero-based budgets. Zero-based budgeting is a budgeting process where each department or program's budget starts from zero each year, and funding must be justified for each expense.

Under this bill, agencies would be required to thoroughly review and justify all expenses in their budgets, rather than simply making incremental changes from the previous year's budget. This would ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent efficiently and effectively, and that agencies are not simply continuing to fund programs that may no longer be necessary or effective.

Proponents of the bill argue that zero-based budgeting can lead to greater accountability and transparency in government spending, as well as potentially identifying areas where funds can be reallocated to more pressing needs. However, critics of the bill may argue that implementing zero-based budgeting could be time-consuming and costly for agencies, and may not necessarily lead to significant cost savings. Overall, Bill 119 s 181 aims to promote responsible and efficient use of taxpayer dollars by requiring federal agencies to justify their budgets from the ground up. It will be interesting to see how this proposed legislation progresses through Congress and what impact it may have on government spending practices.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to require agencies submit zero-based budgets.

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Action1/22/2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.