January 22, 2025
Mr. Risch (for himself, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Ricketts, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Sheehy, Mr. Scott of Florida, and Ms. Lummis) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
To require agencies submit zero-based budgets.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Zero-based budgets
(a) Definition
In this Act:
(1) Agency
The term agency has the meaning given the term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.
(2) Zero-based budget
The term zero-based budget means a systematic budget analysis in support of decision making in which managers—
(A)
examine current objectives, operations, and costs;
(B)
consider alternative ways of carrying out a program or activity; and
(C)
rank different programs or activities by order of importance to the organization.
(b) Zero-Based budgets
Every sixth year, each agency shall submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Committee on the Budget of the Senate and the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives a zero-based budget for the next fiscal year and each of the 4 ensuing fiscal years.
(c) Recommendations
In addition to the zero-based budget required under subsection (b), each agency, except the Department of Defense and the National Nuclear Security Administration shall submit recommendations for which programs Congress should cut or reduce appropriations in an amount that equals not less than a 2-percent reduction from the previous year appropriation in discretionary spending.