H.R.1686 - No More D.C. Waste Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1686, the "No More D.C. Waste Act," aims to prevent the continued availability of federal payments to the District of Columbia for resident tuition support if the funds remain unobligated at the end of the fiscal year. The bill mandates that any unobligated funds lapse and includes conforming amendments to the District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999. It also requires the Chief Financial Officer of D.C. to submit an annual report to Congress on the use of these payments, starting in fiscal year 2026.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely result in stricter oversight and potentially reduced flexibility in how the District of Columbia utilizes federal tuition support funds. This could lead to more efficient use of funds, but also potentially limit access to tuition support if funds are not obligated quickly enough. The annual reporting requirement will increase transparency and accountability.
Potential Benefits
- Increased fiscal responsibility and accountability in the use of federal funds.
- Greater transparency through mandated annual reports to Congress.
- Potential for more efficient allocation of tuition support funds.
- Prevents accumulation of unused funds, encouraging timely spending.
- Could incentivize better planning and management of tuition support programs.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Reduced flexibility for the District of Columbia in managing tuition support programs.
- Potential for decreased access to tuition support if funds are not obligated within the fiscal year.
- Increased administrative burden due to the annual reporting requirement.
- May disproportionately affect students if funding cycles are not aligned with academic needs.
- Could lead to rushed spending decisions to avoid losing funds.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the constitutional power of Congress to legislate for the District of Columbia, as outlined in Article I, Section 8, Clause 17, which grants Congress the power to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over the District. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or freedoms. The requirement for annual reports aligns with Congress's oversight responsibilities.
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).