H.R. 4229: To amend the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require prior approval from Congress before the Comptroller General may pursue a civil action under such Act, and for other purposes.

This bill proposes to modify the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, specifically by introducing a requirement for prior approval from Congress before the Comptroller General can initiate any civil actions related to the Act. The key changes include:

Changes to the Impoundment Control Act

• The language of the Act will be adjusted to clarify that the Comptroller General may pursue a civil action only if Congress has provided authorization through a concurrent resolution.
• The requirement for congressional approval aims to strengthen legislative oversight over decisions made by the Comptroller General regarding the withholding of funds or impoundments.

This change is designed to ensure that the Comptroller General's actions align with congressional intent and thus enhance the role of Congress in monitoring governmental fiscal responsibilities.

Implications of the Bill

By requiring congressional approval for civil actions, the bill potentially affects how quickly or effectively the Comptroller General can address disputes related to the impoundment of federal funds. This could have various implications for the enforcement of budgetary controls and the resolution of conflicts in the budgetary process.

Relevant Companies