What This Bill Does
This resolution changes the rules that the House of Representatives follows. It would prevent lawmakers from introducing or voting on bills that create new federal programs (government activities funded by taxpayers) unless those bills also cut funding from at least two existing federal programs by an equal or greater amount.
Who It Affects
House members, delegates and resident commissioners who introduce bills, resolutions or amendments involving new federal programs. House committees that review such legislation. The general public, whose access to information about these measures would be protected.
Key Provisions
• House members cannot introduce or have the House consider bills that authorize or appropriate funds for a new federal program unless the bill includes cuts to at least two existing federal programs equal to or greater than the new program's funding amount (Sec. 3(a))
• Any House member, delegate or resident commissioner introducing a bill for a new federal program must provide a written statement to committee leadership certifying that the bill meets the requirement above (Sec. 3(b))
• Committees must keep these written statements available for the public to inspect (Sec. 3(b))
What Changes
If approved, House members would be required to follow new rules when proposing new federal programs. They would need to identify which existing programs to reduce in funding and provide official written documentation of this requirement.
Important Definitions
"Program" is defined using the meaning given in section 1122(a) of title 31, United States Code. Not specified in bill text what this definition includes.
Effective Date
Not specified in bill text
IV
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. RES. 18
Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit the introduc-
tion or consideration of certain legislation that authorizes or makes
appropriations of funds for a Federal program not previously authorized
or funded, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY 10, 2023
Mr. GOOD of Virginia (for himself, Mr. MASSIE, Mr. BIGGS, Mr. PERRY, Mrs.
MILLER of Illinois, Mr. MOORE of Alabama, and Mr. CLOUD) submitted
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules,
and in addition to the Committee on Ethics, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
RESOLUTION
Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to
prohibit the introduction or consideration of certain legis-
lation that authorizes or makes appropriations of funds
for a Federal program not previously authorized or fund-
ed, and for other purposes.
Resolved,
1
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
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This resolution may be cited as the ‘‘Less is More
3
Resolution’’.
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•HRES 18 IH
SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN LEGISLATION PRO-
1
POSING NEW FEDERAL PROGRAMS.
2
(a) IN GENERAL.—Rule XII of the Rules of the
3
House of Representatives is amended by adding at the end
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the following new clause:
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‘‘Prohibition on certain legislation proposing new
6
Federal programs
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‘‘9.(a) A bill, resolution, or conference report, or an
8
amendment thereto, that authorizes the appropriation of
9
funds or makes appropriations for a Federal program not
10
previously authorized or funded may not be introduced or
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considered in the House unless the measure includes a
12
provision providing for a reduction in Federal funding
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with respect to not less than 2 Federal programs and each
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such reduction is equal to or greater than the amount au-
15
thorized or appropriated with respect to the Federal pro-
16
gram in such measure.
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‘‘(b) For the purposes of this clause, the term ‘pro-
18
gram’ has the meaning given such term in section 1122(a)
19
of title 31, United States Code.’’.
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(b) WRITTEN
STATEMENT
REQUIREMENT.—Rule
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XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives is
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amended—
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(1) by redesignating clause 22 as clause 23;
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and
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•HRES 18 IH
(2) by inserting after clause 21 the following
1
new clause:
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‘‘22.(a) A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commis-
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sioner who introduces a bill, resolution, or conference re-
4
port, or an amendment thereto, that authorizes the appro-
5
priation of funds or makes appropriations for a Federal
6
program not previously authorized or funded shall provide
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a written statement to the chair and ranking minority
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member of the committee of jurisdiction that includes the
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name of the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner
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and a certification that the measure complies with the re-
11
quirements of clause 9 of rule XII.
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‘‘(b) Each committee shall maintain the information
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transmitted under paragraph (a), and the written state-
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ment included in any measure reported by the committee
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or conference report filed by the chair of the committee
16
or any subcommittee thereof shall be open for public in-
17
spection.
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‘‘(c) For the purposes of this clause, the term ‘pro-
19
gram’ has the meaning given such term in section 1122(a)
20
of title 31, United States Code.’’.
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Æ
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