Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act

Key Points

• The bill targets "unauthorized programs" — government activities that continue receiving funding even after their legal authorization from Congress has expired. These are identified through an annual Congressional Budget Office report.
• Starting in fiscal year 2026, any program with an expired authorization would face automatic budget cuts: 10% in the first year after expiration, then 15% in each of the second and third years. Programs already expired before 2026 would also be swept in.
• If Congress doesn't reauthorize a program within three years of its authorization expiring, the program is automatically terminated. No new money can be spent on it unless Congress passes a fresh reauthorization.
• Programs can escape the automatic cuts if Congress reauthorizes them, but any reauthorization must include a sunset clause limiting the authorization period to no more than three years, forcing regular congressional review.
• The bill would affect hundreds of programs across the federal government. According to CBO reports, over $500 billion in annual appropriations currently goes to programs with expired authorizations, spanning defense, education, health, transportation, and more.