H.R.2101 - Duplicative Grant Consolidation Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2101, the Duplicative Grant Consolidation Act, aims to prevent the awarding of federal grants based on duplicative or fraudulent applications. It mandates the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to establish a tracking system for federal grant applications. This system is intended to help agencies identify applicants who have already received grants for the same purpose or have submitted fraudulent applications.
The bill also requires a report on the feasibility of using artificial intelligence to identify duplicative grant applications. The Act defines key terms such as 'covered application,' 'executive agency,' and 'institution of higher education' to clarify the scope and application of the legislation.
Ultimately, the bill seeks to improve the efficiency and integrity of the federal grant awarding process.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely lead to a more rigorous review process for federal grant applications. This could reduce instances of funding being allocated to duplicative projects or fraudulent applicants. It may also increase administrative burdens on agencies and applicants, particularly in the short term, as they adapt to the new tracking system.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced waste of taxpayer money by preventing duplicative grants.
- Increased accountability and transparency in the grant awarding process.
- Improved allocation of resources to more unique and deserving projects.
- Potential for more efficient use of federal funds through the use of AI.
- Deterrence of fraudulent grant applications.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased administrative burden for grant applicants and agencies.
- Potential delays in the grant awarding process due to increased scrutiny.
- Possible chilling effect on legitimate grant applications due to fear of being flagged as duplicative.
- The exception for institutions of higher education may create a loophole for duplicative research funding.
- The cost of establishing and maintaining the tracking system and AI analysis may be significant.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly the principle of promoting the general welfare (Preamble). By aiming to reduce waste and fraud in federal grant spending, the bill seeks to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively. There are no apparent infringements on individual rights or liberties as defined in the Bill of Rights.
Congress has the power to appropriate funds and set conditions on how those funds are spent, as derived from Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.
The establishment of a tracking system and the requirement for a report on AI feasibility fall within Congress's authority to oversee the executive branch and ensure responsible use of government resources.
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).