S. 181 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jan 22, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRequires federal agencies to use zero-based budgets
This bill would require federal agencies to submit budgets to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget using a zero-based approach. That means agencies would have to examine what they're currently doing, consider alternative ways to run their programs, and rank which activities matter most. Agencies would also have to recommend ways to cut spending by at least 2% from the previous year, though the Department of Defense and National Nuclear Security Administration would be exempt from that requirement.
How it affects you
This change would mainly affect how federal agencies operate behind the scenes. Most everyday people wouldn't directly notice a difference, though the intent is to encourage the government to spend tax dollars more efficiently by forcing a careful look at what each program actually does and whether it's necessary.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jan 22, 2025)
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 181
A BILL
A bill to require agencies submit zero-based budgets.
Sponsor: Sen. James E. Risch (R-ID) · Introduced Jan 22, 2025 · Economics and Public Finance · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jan 22, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.”