H.R. 4178: Enforce the Caps Act

This bill, titled the "Enforce the Caps Act," aims to establish specific limits on discretionary government spending for four fiscal years: 2026 to 2029. It seeks to amend existing legislation to enforce these spending limits clearly and systematically. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill entails:

Discretionary Spending Limits

The bill specifies the following budget authority amounts for discretionary spending:

• Fiscal Year 2026: $1,621,959,000,000
• Fiscal Year 2027: $1,638,179,000,000
• Fiscal Year 2028: $1,654,560,000,000
• Fiscal Year 2029: $1,671,106,000,000

These amounts represent the maximum new budget authority allocated for discretionary programs for each specified fiscal year. Discretionary spending refers to expenditures that are not mandated by existing laws, meaning that Congress must decide to allocate funding for these programs each year.

Purpose of the Bill

The main intent of this legislation is to ensure that the federal government adheres to spending caps for discretionary programs. By setting these fiscal limits, the bill aims to potentially control or reduce the overall federal budget deficit and maintain fiscal responsibility over the specified years.

Introduction and Sponsorship

The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Mr. Grothman, along with several co-sponsors including Mr. Barr, Mr. Norman, and Mr. Rouzer. Following its introduction, it was referred to the Committee on the Budget for further consideration.

Implications of the Bill

By establishing these limits, the legislation may influence how federal agencies plan their budgets and prioritize funding for various discretionary programs, affecting everything from education and infrastructure to environmental projects. It represents a legislative effort to impose stricter financial discipline within the federal budget process.

Relevant Companies

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