[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2799 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2799
To eliminate unnecessary spending by Federal agencies, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 22 (legislative day, September 21), 2021
Ms. Ernst introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To eliminate unnecessary spending by Federal agencies, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Prime Cancel Unnecessary
Transactions and Spending Act'' or the ``Prime CUTS Act''.
SEC. 2. REQUIREMENTS FOR EXECUTIVE AGENCY SPENDING AT THE END OF A
FISCAL YEAR.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered period.--The term ``covered period'' means the
2-month period immediately preceding the end of a fiscal year.
(2) Discretionary appropriations.--The term ``discretionary
appropriations'' has the meaning given the term in section
250(c) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act
of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900(c)).
(3) Executive agency.--The term ``Executive agency'' has
the meaning given the term in section 105 of title 5, United
States Code.
(b) Requirements for Executive Agency Spending at the End of a
Fiscal Year.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), the
amount of discretionary appropriations obligated by an
Executive agency during each month of a covered period may not
exceed the average monthly amount of discretionary
appropriations obligated by the Executive agency during the 10-
month period immediately preceding the covered period.
(2) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the end of each
fiscal year, each Executive agency shall submit to Congress and
post on a publicly available website an itemized list of
discretionary appropriations obligated by the Executive agency
during the covered period immediately preceding the date on
which the report is submitted.
(3) Exception.--This section shall not apply with respect
to any discretionary appropriations obligated by an Executive
agency for national security-related activities.
SEC. 3. AUTHORITY OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO CONSOLIDATE
INFRASTRUCTURE DISTRIBUTION CENTERS TO IMPROVE
EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY OF SUPPLY CHAIN AND
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense may consolidate
infrastructure, including warehouses, at the distribution centers of
the Department of Defense to improve the effectiveness and efficiency
of the supply chain and inventory management of the Department to
support the needs of the Armed Forces and reduce costs.
(b) Plan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days before implementing
any consolidation under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
submit to Congress a plan for such consolidation.
(2) Elements.--Any plan submitted under paragraph (1) with
respect to consolidation under subsection (a) shall include the
following:
(A) An estimate of the cost savings of such
consolidation.
(B) An itemized description of how such cost
savings are expected to be spent.
(C) A list of the specific facilities that will be
subject to closure or disposal under such
consolidation.
(D) With respect to each facility subject to
closure or disposal under such consolidation, an
explanation of how the closure or disposal of the
facility will increase the efficiency or enhance the
functioning of the supply chain of the Department.
(E) A certification that the overall effectiveness
of the supply chain of the Department will not be
compromised or hindered by such consolidation.
SEC. 4. COIN METAL MODERNIZATION AUTHORIZATION AND COST SAVINGS.
(a) Saving Federal Funds by Authorizing Changes to the Composition
of Circulating Coins.--Section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(x) Composition of Circulating Coins.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, and subject to the other provisions of this subsection,
the Director of the United States Mint (referred to in this
subsection as the `Director'), in consultation with the
Secretary, may modify the metallic composition of circulating
coins to a new metallic composition (including by prescribing
reasonable manufacturing tolerances with respect to those
coins) if a study and analysis conducted by the United States
Mint, including solicitation of input, including input on
acceptor tolerances and requirements, from industry
stakeholders who could be affected by changes in the
composition of circulating coins, indicates that the
modification will--
``(A) reduce costs incurred by the taxpayers of the
United States;
``(B) be seamless, which shall mean the same
diameter and weight as United States coinage being
minted on the date of enactment of this subsection and
that the coins will work interchangeably in most coin
acceptors using electromagnetic signature technology;
and
``(C) have as minimal an adverse impact as possible
on the public and stakeholders.
``(2) Notification to congress.--On the date that is at
least 90 legislative days before the date on which the Director
begins making a modification described in paragraph (1), the
Director shall submit to Congress notice that--
``(A) provides a justification for the
modification, including the support for that
modification in the study and analysis required under
paragraph (1) with respect to the modification;
``(B) describes how the modification will reduce
costs incurred by the taxpayers of the United States;
``(C) certifies that the modification will be
seamless, as described in paragraph (1)(B); and
``(D) certifies that the modification will have as
minimal an adverse impact as possible on the public and
stakeholders.
``(3) Congressional authority.--The Director may begin
making a modification proposed under this subsection not
earlier than the date that is 90 legislative days after the
date on which the Director submits to Congress the notice
required under paragraph (2) with respect to that modification,
unless Congress, during the period of 90 legislative days
beginning on the date on which the Director submits that
notice--
``(A) finds that the modification is not justified
in light of the information contained in that notice;
and
``(B) enacts a joint resolution of disapproval of
the proposed modification.
``(4) Procedures.--For purpose of paragraph (3)--
``(A) a joint resolution of disapproval is a joint
resolution the matter after the resolving clause of
which is as follows: `That Congress disapproves the
modification submitted by the Director of the United
States Mint.'; and
``(B) the procedural rules in the House of
Representatives and the Senate for a joint resolution
of disapproval described under paragraph (3) shall be
the same as provided for a joint resolution of
disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5.''.
(b) Determination of Budgetary Effects.--The budgetary effects of
this section, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-
You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest
statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this
section, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the
Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement
has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
SEC. 5. TERMINATION OF TAXPAYER FINANCING OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
CAMPAIGNS.
(a) Termination of Designation of Income Tax Payments.--Section
6096 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
``(d) Termination.--This section shall not apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2020.''.
(b) Termination of Fund and Account.--
(1) Termination of presidential election campaign fund.--
(A) In general.--Chapter 95 of subtitle H of such
Code is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
``SEC. 9013. TERMINATION.
``The provisions of this chapter shall not apply with respect to
any Presidential election (or any Presidential nominating convention)
after the date of the enactment of this section, or to any candidate in
such an election.''.
(B) Transfer of remaining funds.--Section 9006 of
such Code is amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
``(d) Transfer of Funds Remaining After Termination.--The Secretary
shall transfer the amounts in the fund as of the date of the enactment
of this subsection to the general fund of the Treasury, to be used only
for reducing the deficit.''.
(2) Termination of account.--Chapter 96 of subtitle H of
such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
``SEC. 9043. TERMINATION.
``The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any candidate
with respect to any Presidential election after the date of the
enactment of this section.''.
(c) Clerical Amendments.--
(1) The table of sections for chapter 95 of subtitle H of
such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new
item:
``Sec. 9013. Termination.''.
(2) The table of sections for chapter 96 of subtitle H of
such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new
item:
``Sec. 9043. Termination.''.
SEC. 6. PROHIBITIONS; PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ADVERTISING SPENDING.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Advertising.--The term ``advertising'' means the
placement of messages in media that are intended to inform or
persuade an audience, including placement in television, radio,
a magazine, a newspaper, digital media, direct mail, a tangible
product, an exhibit, or a billboard.
(2) Agency.--The term ``agency'' has the meaning given the
term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Mascot.--The term ``mascot''--
(A) means an individual, animal, or object adopted
by an agency as a symbolic figure to represent the
agency or the mission of the agency; and
(B) includes a costumed character.
(4) Public relations.--The term ``public relations'' means
communications by an agency that are directed to the public,
including activities dedicated to maintaining the image of the
governmental unit or maintaining or promoting understanding and
favorable relations with the community or the public.
(5) Return on investment.--The term ``return on
investment'' means, with respect to the public relations and
advertising spending by an agency, a positive return in
achieving agency or program goals relative to the investment in
advertising and marketing materials.
(6) Swag.--The term ``swag''--
(A) means a tangible product or merchandise
distributed at no cost with the sole purpose of
advertising or promoting an agency, organization, or
program;
(B) includes blankets, buttons, candy, clothing,
coloring books, cups, fidget spinners, hats, holiday
ornaments, jar grip openers, keychains, koozies,
magnets, neckties, snuggies, stickers, stress balls,
stuffed animals, thermoses, tote bags, trading cards,
and writing utensils; and
(C) does not include--
(i) an item presented as an honorary or
informal recognition award related to the Armed
Forces of the United States, such as a
challenge coin or medal issued for sacrifice or
meritorious service;
(ii) a brochure or pamphlet purchased or
distributed for informational purposes; or
(iii) an item distributed for diplomatic
purposes, including a gift for a foreign
leader.
(b) Prohibitions.--Except as provided in subsection (d), and unless
otherwise expressly authorized by law--
(1) an agency or other entity of the Federal Government may
not use Federal funds to purchase or otherwise acquire or
distribute swag; and
(2) an agency or other entity of the Federal Government may
not use Federal funds to manufacture or use a mascot to promote
an agency, organization, program, or agenda.
(c) Public Relations and Advertising Spending.--Each agency shall,
as part of the annual budget justification submitted to Congress,
report on the public relations and advertising spending of the agency
for the preceding fiscal year, which may include an estimate of the
return on investment for the agency.
(d) Exceptions.--
(1) Swag.--Subsection (b)(1) shall not apply with respect
to--
(A) an agency program that supports the mission and
objectives of the agency that is initiating the public
relations or advertising spending, provided that the
spending generates a positive return on investment for
the agency;
(B) recruitment relating to--
(i) enlistment or employment with the Armed
Forces; or
(ii) employment with the Federal
Government; or
(C) an item distributed by the Bureau of the Census
to assist the Bureau in conducting a census of the
population of the United States.
(2) Mascots.--Subsection (b)(2) shall not apply with
respect to--
(A) a mascot that is declared the property of the
United States under a provision of law, including under
section 2 of Public Law 93-318 (16 U.S.C. 580p-1); or
(B) a mascot relating to the Armed Forces of the
United States.
(e) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget shall issue regulations to carry out this section.
SEC. 7. PROHIBITION ON USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FOR CERTAIN TRANSIT AND
RAIL PROJECTS.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of
Transportation shall not provide any new assistance for a transit or
rail project if--
(1) the overall cost projection to complete the project
exceeds the original cost projection by at least
$1,000,000,000; and
(2) the operational and administrative costs of the service
provided by the project are projected to exceed the revenues
generated from ridership annually over the next decade.
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