US Federal House Bill HB199

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/3/25
• Refer: 1/3/25

Caption

Implementing DOGE Act

Summary

HB199, titled the “Implementing DOGE Act,” would require an across-the-board rescission of a portion of federal nonsecurity discretionary spending beginning in fiscal year 2026. The bill defines a formula tied to the amount by which annual appropriations exceed the prior year’s appropriations by more than 1 percent, and then directs that the excess growth percentage be rescinded on a pro rata basis from nonsecurity discretionary appropriations once full-year appropriations are enacted. In practical terms, the measure is designed to automatically reduce domestic discretionary spending after appropriations are made available for the full federal government. The bill does not target specific programs or agencies; instead, it applies broadly to all nonsecurity discretionary appropriations in regular appropriations acts, including continuing appropriations measures as defined in the bill. It would take effect for fiscal year 2026 and later, and it relies on existing budget and appropriations definitions from federal law to determine what spending is covered. Because it is a rescission mechanism rather than a new grant or program authorization, its main effect would be to constrain future appropriations levels and reduce budget authority available for covered domestic spending.

Impact

HB199 would amend the practical operation of federal appropriations by imposing an automatic, formula-based rescission on nonsecurity discretionary spending above a specified growth threshold. The bill would affect the annual appropriations process and could reduce funding available for domestic programs, agencies, and activities funded through regular appropriations acts, while leaving security-category discretionary spending outside its scope. It would not create a new program or entitlement, but would instead alter how much budget authority may remain available after appropriations are enacted.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be framed as a spending-reduction and fiscal restraint proposal. The title and structure suggest support from proponents of smaller government and lower discretionary spending, particularly those aligned with the “DOGE” branding and government-expenditure reduction goals. No formal vote history or transcript is available in the provided materials, so there is no documented opposition or support beyond the bill’s introduction and referral.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the bill’s broad, automatic cut to nonsecurity discretionary spending, which could be viewed by opponents as reducing funding for domestic priorities without program-specific review. Supporters would likely argue that the formula provides a disciplined cap on spending growth and helps control federal deficits, while critics may object that it could indiscriminately affect education, health, infrastructure, housing, environmental, and other domestic programs. Because the bill applies across the board and is triggered after appropriations are enacted, debate would likely center on whether the rescission is an appropriate budget-control tool or an overly blunt reduction in congressional spending authority.