HR 5679119th CongressIn Committee

TRUMP Act

Introduced: Oct 3, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2] (D-Minnesota)

Economy & Taxes

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

H.R. 5679, introduced in the 119th Congress by Ms. Craig and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, would bar federal funds from being obligated or expended to create or issue executive orders or presidential memoranda during any period of a lapse in discretionary appropriations. It provides a short title—the “Termination of Reckless Unchecked Mandates from this President Act” or the “TRUMP Act.” In practical terms, the bill would prevent the funding necessary to draft, finalize, or publish new executive directives while the federal government is temporarily not funded due to appropriations gaps. The bill applies beginning on or after enactment and targets actions by the executive branch that result in executive orders or presidential memoranda during a funding lapse. It does not alter the general ability to issue executive actions when appropriations are in place; rather, it restricts funding specifically for the process of promulgating such orders during a lapse.

Key Points

1Short title: The act may be cited as the “Termination of Reckless Unchecked Mandates from this President Act” or the “TRUMP Act.”
2Core prohibition: During any period of a lapse in discretionary appropriations that begins on or after enactment, no federal funds may be obligated or expended to promulgate or issue any Executive Order or presidential memorandum.
3Scope of restriction: The prohibition covers both executive orders and presidential memoranda.
4Trigger: The restriction only applies during a lapse in discretionary appropriations, i.e., a funding gap when Congress has not yet provided the annual funding for agencies.
5Gaps in detail: The text does not specify enforcement mechanisms, penalties, definitions of “lapse,” or exemptions beyond the funding prohibition itself.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Federal agencies and the White House involved in drafting, approving, and issuing executive orders and presidential memoranda; their staff and operations tied to policy directives during funding gaps.Secondary group/area affected- Congress (particularly committees overseeing appropriations and executive power) and federal fiscal managers who would implement and monitor compliance with the funding limitation.Additional impacts- Potential delays or inability to issue new policy directives during a budget lapse, which could affect emergency actions, regulatory changes, or other presidential initiatives that typically rely on documentation and dissemination processes funded by the government.- Possible constitutional or constitutional-administrative scrutiny about the President’s or executive branch’s authority to issue directives during a lapse, and questions about how “lapse” is defined or adjudicated.- Administrative and political considerations for agencies and stakeholders who might anticipate or be affected by delayed policy actions during budget gaps.

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