US Federal 2023-2024 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB1887

Introduced
3/29/23  

Caption

To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for House of Representatives, Salaries and Expenses of the Office of the Whistleblower Ombudsman for fiscal year 2024.

Impact

If enacted, HB1887 would have significant implications for the Office of the Whistleblower Ombudsman, which plays a critical role in receiving and addressing concerns related to government misconduct. The limitation on funding could hinder the office's ability to operate effectively, thereby compromising the protection and support for whistleblowers who raise issues about malfeasance. This could ultimately affect the integrity and accountability within government operations, raising questions about the prioritization of oversight in the legislative framework.

Summary

House Bill 1887 proposes a complete limitation on the availability of funds for the Office of the Whistleblower Ombudsman within the House of Representatives for the fiscal year 2024. The bill aims to set the allocated budget for this office to zero dollars, thereby restricting its operational capacity. Introduced by a group of representatives, including Mr. Biggs and others, the bill underscores attempts to fundamentally change how funds are allocated to oversight bodies intended to protect whistleblowers in government institutions. It reflects a broader conversation about fiscal responsibility and government spending priorities.

Contention

The bill has faced criticism concerning its potential to dissuade individuals from reporting misconduct. Opponents argue that eliminating funding for the whistleblower office is detrimental to fostering a transparent and accountable government. There is a fear that without adequate funding and support structures, whistleblowers may be left vulnerable and unsupported, which may lead to a chilling effect on the reporting of unethical or illegal activities within governmental agencies. Proponents of the bill, however, argue that it aligns with stricter budgetary measures amid fiscal constraints, and they maintain that oversight can be achieved through alternative mechanisms without the need for dedicated funding.

Notable_points

The introduction of HB1887 signals a shift in legislative priorities, especially regarding the protection of whistleblowers. The absence of funding raises significant questions about the future of whistleblower protections and whether Congress will continue to support mechanisms aimed at encouraging transparency. The discussion around this bill also reflects broader ideological divides on the role of government oversight and accountability mechanisms, which are to be carefully watched as the bill progresses through the legislative process.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB111

Budget Process Enhancement Act This bill modifies the federal budget process to withhold the salaries of Members of Congress and cancel the salaries of certain employees of the Office of Management and Budget when certain budget process requirements are not met. The bill also changes the assumptions that the Congressional Budget Office uses to calculate its baseline for discretionary spending to eliminate certain adjustments for inflation and other factors. (A baseline is a projection of federal spending and receipts during a fiscal year under current law.)

US HB225

No Budget, No Pay Act This bill withholds the salaries of Members of a chamber of Congress that has not agreed to a budget resolution for FY2024 by April 15, 2023, as required by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Salaries are withheld from April 16, 2023, until the earlier of (1) the day on which the chamber of Congress agrees to a budget resolution, or (2) the last day of the 118th Congress.

US HB141

No Pay for Disarray Act This bill eliminates one day of pay for each Member of the House of Representatives for any day of a Congress during which no Speaker has been elected.

US HB113

No Free Rent for Freeloaders Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), on an annual basis, to monitor the extent of noncompliance of public-housing tenants with certain community service and economic self-sufficiency requirements, determine the aggregate amount provided in federal subsidies for all public-housing dwelling units that were occupied by noncompliant tenants, and publish this amount in the Federal Register. In each fiscal year, the amount as determined and published for the preceding fiscal year must be rescinded from funds made available for HUD's Management and Administration account.

US HB135

No Pay Raise for Congress Act This bill cancels the automatic adjustment to the pay of Members of Congress that is based on the employment cost index if the Congressional Budget Office determines that there was a federal budget deficit in the last fiscal year.

US HB249

Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act of 2023 This bill expands the awards program for cost-saving identifications by federal employees of fraud, waste, or mismanagement to include identifications of certain operational expenses that are wasteful (i.e., that are identified as wasteful by an employee and that an agency determines are not required for the purposes for which the amounts were made available). An agency must propose any identified wasteful expenses for rescission. The bill also doubles the maximum cash award that may be made under the program.

US HR9

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that China is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic and must be held financially liable for $16,000,000,000,000.

US HB128

Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2023 This bill restricts federal funding for Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. or any of its affiliates or clinics for one year. Specifically, it prohibits funding those entities unless they certify that the affiliates and clinics will not perform, and will not provide funds to entities that perform, abortions during that year. If the certification requirement is not met, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture must recoup any federal assistance received by those entities. However, the bill's funding restriction does not apply to abortions performed in cases of rape or incest or when necessary to resolve a physical condition that endangers a woman's life. The bill also provides additional funding for community health centers for the one-year period. These funds are subject to the same abortion-related restrictions and exceptions.

US HB233

Qualified Immunity Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority for qualified immunity for law enforcement officers in civil cases involving constitutional violations. Current law provides a statutory civil cause of action against state and local government actors (e.g., law enforcement officers) for violations of constitutional rights, also known as Section 1983 lawsuits. The Supreme Court has also found an implied cause of action against federal law enforcement officers in certain situations (e.g., Fourth Amendment violations), also known as Bivens lawsuits. However, under the judicial doctrine of qualified immunity, government officials performing discretionary duties are generally shielded from civil liability, unless their actions violate clearly established rights of which a reasonable person would have known. The bill provides statutory authority for these principles with respect to law enforcement officers. Specifically, under the bill, law enforcement officers are entitled to qualified immunity if (1) at the time of the alleged violation, the constitutional right at issue was not clearly established or the state of the law was not sufficiently clear for every reasonable officer to know that the conduct was unconstitutional; or (2) a court has held that the specific conduct at issue is constitutional. The bill applies to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers. It also specifies that law enforcement agencies and local governments may not be held liable if their officers are entitled to qualified immunity.

US HB1003

An Act For The Arkansas House Of Representatives - Staff Appropriation For The 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.