Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

What H.R. 3746 does, in plain terms

Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 This act increases the federal debt limit, establishes new discretionary spending limits, rescinds unobligated funds, expands work requirements for federal programs, and modifies other requirements related to the federal budget process. DIVISION A--LIMIT FEDERAL SPENDING TITLE I--DISCRETIONARY SPENDING LIMITS FOR DISCRETIONARY CATEGORY (Sec. 101) This section establishes new discretionary spending limits (also known as spending caps) for FY2024 and FY2025 that are enforced with sequestration (i.e., automatic, across-the-board spending reductions). The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that the spending limits will reduce spending below the levels included in its baseline projections. In addition, this section extends and establishes new limits for several adjustments to discretionary spending limits that are permitted under current law to accommodate additional appropriations for certain activities. These adjustments apply to spending for continuing disability reviews and redeterminations, health care fraud and abuse control, and reemployment services and eligibility assessments. The section also extends the adjustment to discretionary spending limits for disaster relief funding. The limits for this adjustment are based on a statutory formula, which is modified by this section. During FY2026-FY2029, if the annual budget resolution has not been adopted by Congress by April 15, this section requires the chairman of the House Budget Committee to submit to the House a spending allocation for the House Appropriations Committee that is consistent with levels specified in this section. Finally, the section provides funding for (1) the Department of Veterans Affairs Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund, and (2) the Department of Commerce Nonrecurring Expenses Fund. (Sec. 102) This section requires the discretionary spending limits to be revised if a continuing resolution (CR) is in effect at the beginning of the calendar year. Specifically, if a CR for FY2024 or FY2025 is in effect on or after January 1 of 2024 or 2025 for any discretionary budget account, the discretionary spending limits for that fiscal year must be revised to specified levels. CBO has estimated that the revised limits will be lower for defense spending and higher for nondefense spending compared to the original limits. If all of the regular appropriations bills for the fiscal year are enacted before April 30, the revised limits revert to the original limits. If a CR is in effect on April 30 of 2024 or 2025, a final sequestration order must be issued based on the revised limits. (Sec. 103) This section exempts specified funds that were previously designated as emergency spending from the discretionary spending limits. TITLE II--BUDGET ENFORCEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (Sec. 111) This section requires the chairman of the House Budget Committee to submit for publication in the Congressional Record FY2024 committee allocations, aggregate spending levels, and aggregate revenue levels consistent with this division. The allocations, aggregates, and levels submitted by the chairman are enforceable in the House of Representatives as if they were included in a FY2024 congressional budget resolution. The chairman may adjust the levels to reflect (1) changes resulting from CBO's updates to it baseline for FY2024-FY2033, or (2) legislation that would not increase the deficit over either FY2024-FY2028 or FY2024-FY2033. This section expires if Congress agrees to a budget resolution for FY2024. (Sec. 112) This section sets forth limitations that apply to advance appropriations in the House of Representatives. (Sec. 113) This section specifies that this title is enacted under the rulemaking powers of the House of Representatives and will be considered part of the rules of the House. It also recognizes that the House has the authority to change these rules. TITLE III--BUDGET ENFORCEMENT IN THE SENATE (Sec. 121) This section requires the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee to submit for publication in the Congressional Record FY2024 committee allocations, aggregate spending and revenue levels, and levels of Social Security revenues and outlays consistent with this division. The chairman may also include the deficit neutral reserve fund contained in the FY2022 budget resolution, updated by two fiscal years. The allocations, aggregates, and levels submitted by the chairman are enforceable in the Senate as if they were included in a FY2024 congressional budget resolution. This section expires if Congress agrees to a budget resolution for FY2024. (Sec. 122) After April 15, 2024, but not later than May 15, 2024, the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee must submit for publication in the Congressional Record FY2025 committee allocations, aggregate spending and revenue levels, and levels of Social Security revenues and outlays consistent with this division. The chairman may also include the deficit neutral reserve fund contained in the FY2022 budget resolution, updated by three fiscal years. After April 15, 2024, the allocations, aggregates, and levels submitted by the chairman are enforceable in the Senate as if they were included in a FY2025 congressional budget resolution. This section expires if Congress agrees to a budget resolution for FY2025. (Sec. 123) This section sets forth limitations and budget enforcement procedures that apply to advance appropriations in the Senate. (Sec. 124) This section specifies that this title is enacted under the rulemaking powers of the Senate and will be considered part of the rules of the Senate. It also recognizes that the Senate has the authority to change these rules. DIVISION B--SAVE TAXPAYER DOLLARS TITLE I--RESCISSION OF UNOBLIGATED FUNDS This title rescinds certain unobligated funds that were provided by several laws, including various laws that were enacted to address the impact of COVID-19. (Sec.1) This section specifies that each rescission made by this title must be applied to the unobligated balances for each applicable appropriation as of the date of enactment of this title. (Sec. 2) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to address COVID-19, including funds that were provided for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and other Department of Health and Human Services programs and activities. (Sec. 3) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide support to agricultural producers impacted by COVID-19. (Sec. 4) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided for USDA to provide support to agricultural producers, growers, and processors impacted by COVID-19. (Sec. 5) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to USDA for the Local Agriculture Market Program. (Sec. 6) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to USDA for the Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Grant Program. (Sec. 7) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to USDA for the Dairy Donation Program. (Sec. 8) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided for USDA to provide grants for improvements to meat and poultry facilities to allow for interstate shipment. (Sec. 9) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to USDA for the Food Supply Chain and Agriculture Pandemic Response Program. (Sec. 10) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided for the Exchange Stabilization Fund. (Sec. 11) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided for programs to support aviation workers. (Sec. 12) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided for the Air Transportation Payroll Support Program. (Sec. 13) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided for the Emergency Capital Investment Program, which was established to encourage low- and moderate-income community financial institutions to expand their support for small businesses and consumers in their communities. (Sec. 14) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to the Department of the Treasury for the State Small Business Credit Initiative. (Sec. 15) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to support aviation workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Sec. 16) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to the Corporation for National and Community Service. (Sec. 17) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to the Department of Education (ED) for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. (Sec. 18) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to ED for the Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools Program. (Sec. 19) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to ED for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. (Sec. 20) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to the Federal Highway Administration for Highway Infrastructure Programs. (Sec. 21) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program. (Sec. 22) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for (1) emergency grants under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, and (2) the Disaster Loans Program. (Sec. 23) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to the SBA for the Disaster Loans Program account. (Sec. 24) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to the Department of Labor to detect and prevent fraud, promote equitable access, and ensure the timely payment of benefits with respect to unemployment compensation programs. (Sec. 25) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Tenant-Based Rental Assistance. (Sec. 26) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to HUD for Native American Programs. (Sec. 27) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to HUD for Housing for Persons with Disabilities. (Sec. 28) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to HUD for Project-Based Rental Assistance. (Sec. 29) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to HUD for Housing for the Elderly. (Sec. 30) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to HUD for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program. (Sec. 31) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to the Office of the Secretary of Transportation for Salaries and Expenses. (Sec. 32) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to DOT for the Essential Air Service program. (Sec. 33) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to the Federal Aviation Administration for Grants-In-Aid for Airports. (Sec. 34) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided for grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak). (Sec. 35) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided for assistance to sponsors of airports. (Sec. 36) This section rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided for the Emergency Rental Assistance program. (Sec. 37) This section rescinds specified unobligate

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.