Executive Action Cost Transparency Act
Summary
The "Executive Action Cost Transparency Act" aims to enhance fiscal transparency by requiring the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to include the budgetary effects of executive and judicial actions in its baseline calculations. This includes proposed and final rules, executive orders, and memoranda. The bill also mandates that agencies provide documentation to the CBO regarding the implementation and impact of these actions.
Expected Effects
This act would likely increase scrutiny of executive and judicial actions with significant budgetary impacts. It could lead to more informed decision-making by Congress regarding the budget. It may also result in agencies being more cautious about the financial implications of their actions.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in government spending related to executive and judicial actions.
- Improved accuracy of budget forecasts by including previously unaccounted-for costs.
- Potential for more informed decision-making by Congress regarding budgetary matters.
- Greater accountability for executive branch agencies regarding the financial impact of their actions.
- Identification of potential cost savings or areas where resources can be allocated more efficiently.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased administrative burden on executive branch agencies to document and report on the budgetary effects of their actions.
- Potential delays in the implementation of executive actions due to the additional review process.
- Possible disagreements between the CBO and executive agencies regarding the estimated budgetary impact of certain actions.
- Risk of politicization of the CBO's analysis, as different administrations may have different priorities.
- The $50 billion threshold may exclude smaller, yet cumulatively significant, actions from scrutiny.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the principles of fiscal responsibility and transparency, which are implicit in the Constitution's allocation of budgetary powers to Congress (Article I, Section 9). By requiring the CBO to account for the budgetary effects of executive and judicial actions, the bill seeks to ensure that Congress has a complete picture of government spending when making appropriations decisions. There is no explicit constitutional provision directly addressing this specific type of budgetary analysis, but the bill's intent is consistent with Congress's role in overseeing government finances.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).