Sign in Subscribe
Legislative bills

Congresswoman Lauren Underwood Criticizes Legislative Branch Funding Bill

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Congresswoman Lauren Underwood delivered remarks at the House Appropriations Committee markup of the fiscal year 2026 Legislative Branch funding bill, criticizing the bill's numerous shortcomings. The bill, she argued, fails to invest in the institutions that keep democracy alive, opting to hollow them out and cede Congress's Article One powers to the Trump Administration. Underwood specifically highlighted the bill's cuts to the Government Accountability Office, which would likely result in significant losses for taxpayers, and the slashing of the Library of Congress's budget. She also condemned the bill's failure to provide additional resources for security improvements and its continued exclusion of DACA recipients from employment in the Legislative Branch.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed Legislative Branch funding bill slashes the budget for the Government Accountability Office by almost 50 percent, which could cost taxpayers almost $49 billion.
  • The cut to GAO's budget would undermine its ability to hold the government accountable, particularly in light of nearly 40 open investigations into credible reports of the Trump Administration's corruption and abuses of the Constitution.
  • The bill also prohibits GAO from bringing civil actions against the Executive Branch for failing to comply with the Impoundment Control Act.
  • The Library of Congress's budget is slashed by 10 percent, following President Trump's firing of Dr. Carla Hayden, the first woman and first Black person to serve as Librarian of Congress.
  • The bill flat-funds the Member's Representational Allowance, despite continued inflation, which effectively amounts to a cut and shortchanges the ability of Members to serve their constituents.
  • The bill fails to provide additional resources for security improvements, leaving Congressional offices and Members vulnerable to political violence.
  • DACA recipients are continued to be barred from employment in the Legislative Branch, despite their dedication to shared American values.
  • The bill includes divisive policy riders that undermine efforts to create respectful and inclusive workplaces.

Statistics:

  • The Government Accountability Office has identified $2.8 trillion in payment errors over the past two decades.
  • GAO's average return on investment is $123 for every $1 spent.
  • The bill slashes GAO's budget by almost 50 percent, or over $396 million, which could cost taxpayers almost $49 billion.
  • The Library of Congress's budget is slashed by 10 percent.

Sources:

  • Remarks by Congresswoman Lauren Underwood at the House Appropriations Committee markup of the fiscal year 2026 Legislative Branch funding bill (no date provided)
  • Contify.com (no date provided)

Read more