0
0
0
A bill to require agencies submit zero-based budgets.
2/20/2025, 2:03 AM
Summary of Bill S 181
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.
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.
Congressional Summary of S 181
This bill requires federal agencies to submit zero-based budgets to the Office of Management and Budget and the congressional budget committees. Under the bill, a zero-based budget is a systematic budget analysis in which managers (1) examine current objectives, operations, and costs; (2) consider alternative ways of carrying out programs or activities; and (3) rank different programs or activities by order of importance.
The bill also requires federal agencies to submit recommendations to reduce spending by at least 2% from the previous year's levels. The Department of Defense and the National Nuclear Security Administration are exempt from this requirement.
Read the Full Bill
Current Status of Bill S 181
Bill S 181 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since January 22, 2025. Bill S 181 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the Senate on January 22, 2025. Bill S 181's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. as of January 22, 2025
Bipartisan Support of Bill S 181
Total Number of Sponsors
2Democrat Sponsors
0Republican Sponsors
2Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
6Democrat Cosponsors
0Republican Cosponsors
6Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 181
Primary Policy Focus
Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 181
A bill to require agencies submit zero-based budgets.
A bill to require agencies submit zero-based budgets.
Comments
Sponsors and Cosponsors of S 181
Latest Bills
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027
Bill HR 8646May 5, 2026
A resolution designating the week of April 20 through April 24, 2026, as "National Home Visiting Week".
Bill SRES 692May 5, 2026
Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025
Bill S 723May 5, 2026
To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin, and for other purposes.
Bill HR 8663May 5, 2026
RECON Act
Bill HR 8478May 5, 2026
SAFE School Act
Bill HR 8506May 5, 2026
Rehabilitation of Historic Schools Act of 2026
Bill HR 8501May 5, 2026
Precision Agriculture Workforce Training and Development Act
Bill HR 8507May 5, 2026
Public Safety UAS Readiness Act
Bill HR 8492May 5, 2026
Save SNAP Act of 2026
Bill HR 8503May 5, 2026





