Fully Funding our National Security Priorities Act
Summary
H.R. 5240, the "Fully Funding our National Security Priorities Act," mandates the Secretary of State to report to Congress on the Department of State's unfunded priorities. This report must be submitted within 10 days of the President's budget submission. It requires a detailed description, funding needs, and budget information for each unfunded priority, ranked by urgency.
Expected Effects
The bill aims to increase transparency and congressional oversight of the Department of State's budgetary needs. By requiring a report on unfunded priorities, Congress will gain better insight into the department's resource gaps. This could lead to more informed budget allocations and potentially address critical national security needs that are currently unmet.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in the Department of State's budget priorities.
- Improved congressional oversight of national security funding needs.
- Potential for better allocation of resources to address critical gaps.
- Enhanced ability to meet foreign policy and national security objectives.
- Greater accountability for the Department of State's spending.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased bureaucratic workload for the Department of State.
- Risk of political bias in the prioritization of unfunded needs.
- No guarantee that identified priorities will actually receive funding.
- Possible delays in budget allocation due to the reporting requirement.
- The report's effectiveness depends on the accuracy and completeness of the information provided by the Department of State.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the constitutional powers of Congress related to appropriations and oversight of the executive branch, as outlined in Article I, Section 9, Clause 7, which states that "No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law." It also aligns with Congress's role in foreign affairs, implicitly granted through its power to declare war and regulate commerce with foreign nations.
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).